for all you recruiting fans; UT has 19 for 2010

[CaliforniaCowboy]

UT works fast to nail down 19 early commitments

March 2, 2009 11:18 AM


Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

It used to be that college teams went to great lengths to try to recruit top athletes the summer of their senior seasons in high school.

But that's changing and nobody has been more active than Texas.

The Austin American-Statesman reported Monday that the Longhorns added two more commitments for their 2010 recruiting class over the weekend. Yes, that's the same class that will have its national signing day in about 11 months.

Those decisions give the Longhorns 19 players who have already given the school verbal commitments that they will be part of next year's class.

I can't remember another school working as quickly to nail down recruiting commitments as Mack Brown's staff has the past several weeks. The Longhorns might have room for four or five additions during the rest of their recruiting.

There are two different opinions on how fast the Longhorns have worked. They have already locked up many, if not most, of their prime recruiting targets before those recruits have played their senior seasons in high school.

That immediacy works well at getting the really great players. But it might make some wonder about those athletes who underperform or get hurt next season as seniors.

And what about the players who don't sign early but really develop during their senior seasons? They might get left behind because of the Longhorns' commitment to those early signees.

It will be interesting to see how this Longhorns recruiting class develops once the players get to college.

[CaliforniaCowboy]

and the Benefit of an IPF...


Brisk temperatures can't stop Texas' Chiles

February 28, 2009 5:27 PM


Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

AUSTIN, Texas -- The old joke about the unsettled nature of central Texas weather never seemed truer than it did for Texas at its Saturday workouts.

After opening practices Friday with temperatures in the high 80s, a cold front blew through Austin early Saturday morning. The temperature plunged by more than 30 degrees and the windy conditions pushed the Longhorns into their indoor facility for most of their second day of spring practice.

"It changed from warm weather to cold weather and the wind was blowing," defensive back Chykie Brown said. "We knew there would be a lot of balls on the ground so we changed it."

Earlier, Texas offensive coordinator Greg Davis realized the futility of trying to work on his passing game outside.

"I guess this is a good day to work on our checkdowns," Davis said, chuckling.

But even the unsettled weather conditions couldn't stop the quick start of junior wide receiver John Chiles, the Longhorns' former backup quarterback who had several big plays in only his second day at his new position.

Chiles scored a couple of touchdowns on Saturday, prompting loud cheers from the fans who attended the practice inside the facility. On one catch, several of his offensive teammates charged onto the field to congratulate him for the big play.

"It was pretty good," Chiles said. "I was in better shape than I thought I was going to be. I've got to get used to catching but it'll come around."

The Longhorns workouts came in conjunction with the Longhorns' third junior day. Many top prospects were in to meet Texas coaches.

One interesting reminder greeted fans as soon as they walked onto Texas' practice fields. A large sign implored them in huge block letters not to talk to the recruits.

Many top Longhorn recruits who had already signed were present. Most notable was heralded incoming quarterback prospect Garrett Gilbert, who attended Friday's practice.

[jbug]

Hey CC we have 3 and that is the most ever for the Pokes (at least
by the first week of March :officechair: )

Go Pokes...and Gundy get us about 20 commits by June and that
would be great!

[FalseGod]

If I was a coach I would relish the opportunity to have my kids practicing in those conditions. Practicing in wind like that would really help when you play those road games in places like Stillwater, Lincoln, Ames, or Lubbock. Plus being in Austin you only get 1 maybe 2 weeks of those days a year, so when it falls on a practice day that would seem like a blessing.

I play sports outdoors here in Austin year round. I would think this is the last place that you need an IPF.

[cactusjack]

They also have 1 secret commit. So its really 20

[jbug]

DO we have 25 secret commits? :cowboy:

Man I hope so~!

[topdaug]

UT has the built in advantage taht most of the kids they get early have wanted to go to UT their whole lives, so they offer them at their junior days and the kids jump at the chance...

This only helps both OU and OSU, because now both don't have to waste their times recruiting players that would inevitably end up at UT anyway...

[CaliforniaCowboy]

good thing Stoops doesn't have that kind of clout in Oklahoma...