Which true freshmen do you see making an impact this season?

Harry · June 2, 2014

QB - Connor Means (6-4, 210) Deer Park, Texas (Deer Park HS) [July 24, 2013]

WR - Fonzale Davis (5-11, 185) Dallas, Texas (South Oak Cliff HS) [July 25, 2013]

K - Trevor Moore (5-11, 175) Edmond, Oklahoma (Edmond North HS) [July 28, 2013]

LB - Brandon Garner (5-11, 200) Mansfield, Texas (Timberview HS) [July 31, 2013]

DB - Kishawn McClain (5-11, 193) Rosenberg, Texas (Rosenberg Terry HS) [August 1, 2013]

LB - Jalen Montgomery (5-11, 220) Mesquite, Texas (Mesquite HS) [August 1, 2013]

OL - Christopher Miles (6-4, 291) Flower Mound, Texas (Flower Mound HS) [August 5, 2013]

DB - Andrew Jones (6-1, 175) Mesquite, Texas (North Mesquite HS) [september 13, 2013]

WR - Jalen Adams (5-10, 161) Moore, Oklahoma (Southmore HS) [November 14, 2013]

WR - Terian "Tee" Goree (6-3, 170) Carthage, Texas (Carthage HS) [November 26, 2013]

WR - Okeeron Rutherford, (6-5, 185) Carthage, Texas (Carthage HS) [November 26, 2013]

RB - Willy Ivery, (5-9, 180) Sulphur Springs, Texas (Sulphur Springs HS) [November 29, 2013]

DE - Tillman Johnson, (6-1, 243) Austin, Texas (McNeil HS) [January 19, 2014]

DT - T.J. Tauaalo, (6-2, 290) Keller, Texas (Central HS) [January 22, 2014]

QB - Caleb Chumley, (6-6, 240) Longview, Texas (Pine Tree HS) [January 27, 2014]

RB - Jeffery Wilson, (6-1, 190) Elkhart, Texas (Elkhart HS) [February 2, 2014]

OL - Aaron Fortenberry (6-4, 280) Era, Texas (Era HS)

Harry · June 2, 2014

For me I see six possibilities - Tee, Willy and Fonzale on offense. I think Trevor Moore may see the field at some point. And on defense, I think Tillman Johnson and TJ Tuaalo may work into the rotation on D.

The odds are there will be a surprise but it's interesting to speculate.

greenminer · June 2, 2014

Ivery, but if it is just one I would prefer a kid from the defensive side.

BillySee58 · June 2, 2014

Tee Goree is the obvious choice on offense for me. On defense my pick is Brandon Garner. With his blitzing ability and coverage ability he can be a weapon on third downs.

Hard to pick this year, though. Probably the most freshmen who are ready to play immediately that Mac has brought in since he's been here. Although we won't know that for sure until they put the pads on.

Edited June 2, 2014 by BillySee58

Tyler Maryak · June 2, 2014

I'm hoping Fonzale Davis will help keep us productive on offense.

MeanGreen13 · June 2, 2014

i dont think any of them step in and make a huge impact right away... I for see a lot of red shirts this year, especially the defensive guys. the wide receivers are the most likely to play their first year. and willy will get redshirted at RB because there are already 7 guys back there so why waste a year of eligibility? Okee will get redshirted to put on bulk, i like Jalen Adams to also play along with tee and fonzale. outside of that, everyone else gets redshirted. on second thought... maybe kishawn mcclain finds his way into the special teams unit... there are a lot of guys I am excited about for 2015 though. I think this will prove to be one hell of a recruiting class!

MeanGreen13 · June 2, 2014

I'm hoping Fonzale Davis will help keep us productive on offense.

i can see him filling the same role that Kidsy did last season for sure, but from the slot.

SilverEagle · June 2, 2014

Two (possibly three) places of greatest need.

1. DL, IF either of the young men signed for the DL (Johnson or Tauaalo) has the ability as a freshman to step in then it could be one of them.

2. WR/special teams....mainly special teams. Whichever of the players that have superior abilities at KO and PR, then they have the greatest chance to make an impact as freshman. I'm thinking either Adams or Ivory......possibly Davis. Davis impressed me more as a WR who could catch the ugly pass and/or make a catch wearing the DB.

3. QB....If Means continues to develop over the summer, AND the coaches are inclined to give him a fair shot, then he could make an impact at that position.

BillySee58 · June 2, 2014

i can see him filling the same role that Kidsy did last season for sure, but from the slot.

I agree. Although I could also see him catching on potentially as a return man. If you watch his highlights, he gets a lot of screens and is good at reading and letting his blocks develop. Could translate in the return game.

i dont think any of them step in and make a huge impact right away... I for see a lot of red shirts this year, especially the defensive guys. the wide receivers are the most likely to play their first year. and willy will get redshirted at RB because there are already 7 guys back there so why waste a year of eligibility? Okee will get redshirted to put on bulk, i like Jalen Adams to also play along with tee and fonzale. outside of that, everyone else gets redshirted. on second thought... maybe kishawn mcclain finds his way into the special teams unit... there are a lot of guys I am excited about for 2015 though. I think this will prove to be one hell of a recruiting class!

Mac has been letting his linebackers play as freshman rather than redshirt. Fred Scott and Sed Ellis last year, Lajaylin Smith the year before. I would be surprised to see both Garner and Montgomery redshirt. Same with McClain and Andrew Jones at defensive back. Mac played Shilleci and Chad Davis last year and Busby and Devante Davis the year before. Busby and D Davis were more out of necessity, but something to consider.

As far as Ivery, I could easily see him catching on as a return man. Redshirt Jeffery Wilson and let Ivery be a return specialist and get garbage time reps at RB. I also am thinking we will redshirt two receivers and play two. Rutherford is the most likely redshirt, and I'd be surprised if both Adams and Davis played right away. I also think Adams' potential is greater at cornerback, but that's besides the point.

Mean Green 93-98 · June 2, 2014

It's tough for a true freshman to come in and make an impact at QB or on the line. WR is a position where a quality athlete can come right in and make an impact. Of the ones we have, I'd give Tee Goree the edge, with Fonzale Davis close behind.

adman · June 2, 2014

Is Chumley going to be on campus in the fall?

Harry · June 2, 2014

Is Chumley going to be on campus in the fall?

Actually if he remains a grayshirt he would be a student at UNT but not on scholarship until December. I think there's a chance something could open up for him but I don't know that for sure.

BillySee58 · June 2, 2014

Actually if he remains a grayshirt he would be a student at UNT but not on scholarship until December. I think there's a chance something could open up for him but I don't know that for sure.

Since we have now signed 25 players as part of our 2014 class with those two late additions, Chumley can't come on until spring. But that's been the plan all along.

UNT90 · June 2, 2014

Most high school highlight videos of WRs are guys running free 5 yards from the nearest defender when they make the long touchdown catch.

What struck me about Goree's video was the ability to catch the ball in traffic. If that translates to the next level, I think you see Goree claim the starting outside receiver position and be a solid contributor.

If that translates to the next level...

Harry · June 2, 2014

Since we have now signed 25 players as part of our 2014 class with those two late additions, Chumley can't come on until spring. But that's been the plan all along.

I agree with you but I have seen "openings" come up on greyshirt guys before when we were supposedly "full up". The latest example was the big defensive tackle Dylan McDorman from WF.

Scholarship count is a moving target and I gave up trying to interpret it years ago. At last signing day, Mac stated we had one spot left to give and we've had two additions since then.

It's just hard to a tangible number to it because it is so fluid.

BillySee58 · June 2, 2014

I agree with you but I have seen "openings" come up on greyshirt guys before when we were supposedly "full up". The latest example was the big defensive tackle Dylan McDorman from WF.

Scholarship count is a moving target and I gave up trying to interpret it years ago. At last signing day, Mac stated we had one spot left to give and we've had two additions since then.

It's just hard to a tangible number to it because it is so fluid.

Mcdorman was before the 25 cap per class rule was into effect NCAA wide. It only was enforced by the SEC that year.

Yeah, I'm not sure why we kept hearing we had just 1 spot left after signing day. We had 19 signees and 4 walkons counting towards our class at the time, giving us 2 spots left. Why we were told we had just 1 never made sense to me and didn't end up being the case. We did have 2 spots. We could blueshirt Chumley if we really wanted, but it has sounded like grayshirting was the route of choice the coaching staff was choosing with him.

NT03 · June 2, 2014

Some members of this staff are extremely high on Tillman Johnson.

outoftown · June 2, 2014

I think the safe bet to see the field and make an impace is Trevor Moore at kicker.

And yes I do expect at least one WR to make the two deep, or even being a starter after the first few games. But which one... your guess is as good as mine (or maybe better)

H-towngreen · June 2, 2014

Simple. Tee Goree

I remember watching his highlight tape and was in shock as he literally didn't get tackled once in the first 7 min of it. Just TD after TD.

Ben Gooding · June 2, 2014

Willy Ivery because of his versatility that I hope the coaching staff uses to their full advantage. He is a threat at RB, slot, and returning the football. I think there are 3 or 4 offensive guys that could make contributions though.

DeepGreen · June 2, 2014

Willy Ivery. 'nuff said.

Edited June 2, 2014 by DeepGreen

UNT90 · June 2, 2014

Are we counting Redshirts? If so, then definitely Syd Moore.

MeanGreenD · June 2, 2014

Hard to pick just one, so I won't

Tee Goree on the offensive side due to spread offense.

TJ Tauaalo on the D-Line, really like this Tongan kid and very interested to follow him through camp. Anyone with a tat like that has to be a Mean Green SOB on the gridiron.

I'm excited for this entire class. #GoMeanGreen

GrandGreen · June 2, 2014

The obvious choice are wide receivers. A position that is relatively easy to play the first year and a position of need. Plus, were NT recruited best. Next, is linebackers; another position needing numbers.

My choices to click are Davis at wr, and Garner at LB. Actually, I believe that at least 2 and maybe all 4 wrs will substantially contribute. One that isn't coming into a position of need that may play despite a lot of competition is the OL Miles.