2016 Possibilities
RB
Trevor Speights,
Memorial (McAllen, TX) - ARIZONA: People expect him to flip to A&M. We'll see if he makes it in.
OL
Tope Imade,
Bowie (Arlington, TX): I think Imade is going to blow up his senior season and look like a Texas player. Whether there's room at that point is questionable.
DT
Jordan Elliott,
Westside (Houston, TX)*: He's a must-get because he could play interior or exterior DL. Big and moves well. Recently visited. His recruitment has a long way to go. Don't get high, don't get low.
2017 Possibilities
QB
Shawn Robinson,
Guyer (Denton, TX)*: He told Justin he 'might' make it in. He's a Top 15 national player in the nation for '17.
RB
JK Dobbins,
La Grange (La Grange, TX): From my high school rivals, Bellville vs La Grange played some fierce games back in the day. I played against his father and uncle (great players) who are tragically no longer with us. JK's a monster of an athlete, not tall, but plays big and fast. If he makes it in, I expect he'll be offered. He's thought of as an APB because of his current stature and versatility but he'll develop into a load bearing running back.
WR
Octavius Evans,
Center (Center, TX): Justin knows him much better than I.
OL
Jack Anderson,
Frisco High (Frisco, TX): Tons of offers for this Tech legacy. He looks like a future offer from my vantage point. He talks up Tech a lot.
NOTES
QB
Jake Allen,
Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale, FL): Texas had hoped the 2017 quarterback would make it in this weekend but he told me he has a big 7 on 7 tournament (I'm really beginning to hate 7 on 7). At this time he has no plans to visit but that could change after the spring.
RB
Toneil Carter,
Langham Creek (Houston, TX): With Texas inviting JK Dobbins and Eno Benjamin, I thought they might have also been in contact with Carter. Carter's a borderline 5-star for the Class of 2017 but as of yet has not heard from UT. He'll be at UofH's Spring game on Saturday which is a boon for them. He holds A&M, Georgia, TCU, Baylor, Arkansas, and others. Just a note, I'm asked about him somewhat frequently.
OL
Grayson Reed,
Cypress Creek (Houston, TX): The hilarity of early crystal balls. I'll get to that in a minute. Reed's a highly ranked offensive tackle from the same school that sent Texas Elijah Rodriguez (and Dan Neil). The 6-foot-5, 270 pounder had this to say:
"I was invited to the UT spring game but cannot make it because I have already talked to the coaches of another school and told them I would attend their Spring game (this was before Texas invited me). I have not heard much from UT but I hope that would change. I'm very familiar with the campus and football program. My cousin is Cedric Reed."
Grayson Reed is currently crystal balled to Texas A&M, albeit with only one vote. Cedric Reed's cousin continued, "Yeah, that's my cousin (Cedric Reed) and we're (Grayson Reed and his cousin, former Texas defensive end, Cedric Reed) real close. I emailed Texas about two weeks ago and then out of no where I get the invite on Tuesday but I already told UTSA I would visit."
Reed already has one offer from Boise State. He missed some time last year with a torn meniscus but a guy I know who played linebacker there last year said he was working people pretty good before the injury.
Finally, I'll be at UofH all day getting learnt on some football. I'll also be talking to the numerous coaches in attendance about their prospects. Hopefully I can get some solid info.
From: Justin Wells
Recruiting Notes. Let's rock.
1.
Baron Browning. The 2017 5-star LB from Kennedale was finally contacted by Texas this week. It's about time. I've only been pushing this for two months now, but better late than never. Browning is neat kid and tremendous football prospect. He's also a smart dude - Stanford doesn't just offer anyone. He's very well-spoken and level-headed early in the recruiting process. Despite UT taking so long to contact him, Browning has maintained it's a marathon, not a race. A certain 2015 DB signee from East Texas could learn a few things from Browning.
"I've really wanted to hear from Texas for the longest," said Browning. "Real curious about the program and the staff. They do great things with defensive players." Texas WR Jay Norvell is his contact at UT and he loves the coach's honesty and positivity. But there's one coach he's eager to meet; head coach Charlie Strong.
Browning was in Arlington last month for Nike's Opening but was unable to play due to a injury. He's healed up now and looks for to hitting the camp scene this summer.
This will be Browning's first visit to Austin for football. He's traveled to the state capitol before for the Kennedale Track team competing at the Texas Relays in the 4x100 and 4x200. Not bad for a 16-year old, 6-foot-4, 220-pound monster. Some of his early offers include the Cardinal, Arkansas, Baylor, Nebraska, and UCLA. Florida State, LSU, and Texas A&M might be close to offering as well. As for any early leaders, Browning's not naming any names. He's too smart for that.
2.
Kendell Jones. The 2016 5-star DT from Killeen Shoemaker is a funny dude. The more I get to know Jones, the more the opens up to me. He's really a giant softy dressed in a superhero costume. Football is important to Jones, as he views it as a way to better his family's situation. The recruiting process has already brought a lot of new things into Jones' life. Riding his first airplane will be one.
"I'm already nervous," said the massive teddy bear. "I've never flown before so it'll be something. I get to fly to Oregon (The Opening) and Baltimore (Rivals 5-star challenge) this summer. You told me to bring my headphones and chew bubble gum. I can handle that," Jones says laughing.
Jones will be in Tuscaloosa on Saturday for the Alabama Spring game. When I told Jones they're expecting 70K fans, he said," Probably, but I hope not. That's too many people."
Weirdly enough, for being such a high profile player, Jones hasn't seen a new offer in over a year. Re-read that. Hard to believe, isn't it? Jones tells me despite the lack of new offers, a few schools have started recruiting the 6-foot-5, 360-pound defensive lineman and former New Orleans native. Notre Dame, TCU, Nebraska, and SMU have thrown their hat in the ring and Jones thinks they could be close to offering.
Jones is also very grateful for all the love and attention he's receiving.
"It's all very humbling," Jones said. "I'm grateful for all the blessings I do have. I'm busting my tail to get everything in order. I would like to visit a bunch of schools but my parents don't have the time or finances to do all of them. I only get five officials so I'll have to pick very carefully."
Is there a good chance Texas get one of those officials despite just being down the road?
"Absolutely."
3.
Grayland Arnold. The ultra athletic junior athlete from the piney woods (Kountze) and Baylor commit picked up a Sam Houston State offer this week. I asked him how much he speaks to Texas and he told me every once in awhile. I was chalking up UT's low numbers in 2016 as to why they haven't pursued the electric multi-sport star. But there might be something else.
Two coaches in the area have told me that Arnold might have trouble qualifying in college. This makes more sense because the kid is a take and Texas could take him. He's got ties to Austin and is interested in the Longhorns despite being a Briles Bear. At this point, I don't see UT offering. Too bad, because Arnold could be special. He holds football and basketball D1 offers.
4.
Kellen Mond. The 2017 dual-threat QB from San Antonio Reagan is coming back to Austin after taking in the opening of Spring practice in March. He wants to see two things.
"Just want to watch the offense execute," said Mond. "I want to see the quarterbacks footwork and technique as they go through their progressions. I also want to soak up the atmosphere. The facilities and fans at Texas are amazing."
I think the 6-foot-2, 175-pound signal-caller might be in a group of sophomore quarterbacks called Plan C. Denton Guyer's Shawn Robinson (still a maybe for UT Spring game) being Plan A and Westlake's Sam Ehlinger as Plan B. Damn the QB class in Texas for 2017 is loaded.
5.
Kam Martin. The 4-star all-purpose back from Jamaal Charles County (PA Memorial) is a recruitment that's just getting started. Despite his numerous overtures to Baylor fans and players, I think Martin's heart may be the color orange. I also think if he does continue to build a relationship with the Texas players and staff, he'll do it on the down low. He'll be in Austin in Saturday for the first time in a while. It's a start.