Inside Scoop -- May 22, 2009 edition

[ClendonRoss]

In honor of Memorial Day, and all the men and women of the military who have served our country, we are offering this week's Inside Scoop for free. (For those of you that are new to the Scoop, it is a weekly Members only feature here at InsideTexas.com.) Inside Texas is also proud to offer free, year-round subscriptions to current members of the U.S. Miltary. Please feel free to share this link and the free military subscription offer to anyone that may be interested. For more info, please email clendon@insidetexas.com. Thanks, Hook'em and have a safe and happy Memorial Day Weekend.

The Inside Texas staff

------------------------

Have a question on or a comment about the Scoop? Click here

------------------------

Ahmad Dixon hasn't been acting like someone who's about to switch his commitment.

He hasn't been openly discussing decommitting from the Longhorns, but a source close to Dixon said the Waco Midway safety has been taking a long look at the Baylor Bears.

Along with Baylor being the hometown school, Dixon has formed a friendship with Midway wide receiver Levi Norwood, the son of Baylor defensive coordinator Brian Norwood, and the Bears now have an in with the state's top defensive back.

Texas has done what it can to resecure the talented safety prospect, but even though he's verbally committed to the Longhorns, the recruitment of Ahmad Dixon isn't over yet. Ross Lucksinger

UPDATE: Ahmad Dixon decommitted from Texas and committed to Baylor today. See: Ahmad Dixon Commits To Baylor -- http://insidetexas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5303 for more, including possible targets to replace Dixon in the Longhorns' 2010 class. For our reporting from earlier this week on Dixon's situation, see: Could Baylor Pull Dixon from Texas? http://insidetexas.com/news/story.php?article=1123)

--------------------------------

Despite the available scholarship numbers being tight (with 21 2010 commits, the Horns are presently seven over the 85 scholarship limit for August 2010*; see the exclusive Inside Texas Roster Table for more info -- http://insidetexas.com/football/football.php?pg=fb_roster), Texas is still keeping its options open on some 2010 prospects aside from top targets/offers Jordan Hicks (see below), Jackson Jeffcoat, Jake Matthews, Corey Nelson, Lache Seastrunk and Darius White (see last week’s Scoop for the latest -- http://insidetexas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5210).

The Horns were in the Dallas area this week to see Dallas Jesuit defensive end Chuka Ndulue (6-3/242/4.72) who has seen his stock shoot up since his recent offer from Oklahoma.

Ndulue said in an interview earlier this week that he had initially planned to commit by today but in an interview with ESPN affiliate site OUInsider.com, Ndulue said that he is taking a bit of a step back and is going to do some more research before making a decision.

Not a lot is known about Ndulue but like private school defensive ends Sam Acho and Greg Daniels before him his stock is rising very fast and Texas is showing interest, but only interest at this point. Jeff Howe

UPDATE: Ndulue committed to Oklahoma today, according to ESPN affiliate site OUInsider.com. Here's the link: http://ouinsider.com/news/story.php?article=3122

* The scholarship numbers situation above were before today's decommitment of Ahmad Dixon and the announcement that Aundre McGaskey and Montre Webber are leaving the program. That puts the Horns at four over the 85 limit, as of today, given the current number of players projected to be on campus in August of 2010.

-----------------------------

Another 2010 situation to keep an eye on will be what happens with Marshall linebacker Aaron Franklin (6-1/210/4.48).

As of right now it is unlikely that Franklin will get an offer from the Texas staff but the Texas coaches went by the school this week and are keeping an eye on Franklin. It looks like it could be as a backup plan in case things do not pan out with either Jordan Hicks or Corey Nelson. Jeff Howe

-------------------------------------------

Texas and Ohio State lead for West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West linebacker Jordan Hicks (see last week’s Scoop for more details -- http://insidetexas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5210), but Hicks hasn't officially narrowed down his list yet. But that will change soon.

According to his head coach, Larry Cox, Hicks plans to put together a list of eight within the next few weeks and then to five during the summer. As of right now Texas is in position to be on both of those lists and the Horns will work to get a visit from Hicks this summer and, assuming his recruitment continues through the fall, and official visit to a Longhorn game as well.

A lot is still up in the air for Hicks, but one thing you can be certain of is even with other talented linebackers available, the Longhorns plan on waiting all the way out on Hicks. Given the amount of time Hicks will probably take to make his decision, Cox recently checked in with the Texas coaches to make sure that the scholarship will still be there, even on National Signing Day. Texas coaches confirmed to Cox that they'll be pursuing Hicks all the way to the end of his recruitment. Ross Lucksinger

---------------------------------------

Defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat hasn't done a lot of interviews and when he has spoken, he's been relatively quiet on which schools are standing out for him.

But according to a source who spoke with Plano West head coach Mike Hughes, Jeffcoat is currently favoring Texas, Oklahoma and USC. In addition, Houston is in the mix because his father coaches there.

Given the visits he's taken and the way he's spoken about each, it's not that surprising, but it's still information worth passing along. Ross Lucksinger

---------------------------------------

This past weekend, Texas wide receiver commit Ross Apo participated in the Palo Alto, Calf. NIKE Camp and came away from the event, which had a lot of talented receivers, as the event's WR MVP.

ESPN analyst Greg Biggins had this to say about Apo's performance: “The big, physical receiver was a matchup nightmare for smaller defensive backs all day. Apo has great hands and never fights the ball. While the coaches noted he doesn't have great top-end speed, he is very smooth in and out of his cuts and uses his size well. He does a nice job creating separation when the ball is in the air and really attacks the ball in traffic.”

An odd side note is that Apo showed up to NIKE camp wearing Oklahoma Sooner shorts, but he said that it's just a pair of athletic shorts he's had and not to read anything into it. He's still committed to the Longhorns. Ross Lucksinger

-----------------------------

I made a trip out to East Texas this week to check on two Texas 2010 commits and some of the state’s top 2011 prospects.

My first stop was in Tyler to John Tyler High School to check on 2010 defensive tackle commit Ashton Dorsey. I spoke with JT head coach Dereck Rush who told me that Dorsey is still fully committed to the Longhorns, as Dorsey himself told us in an interview last month.

Rush said that right now Dorsey is 6-foot-2 but only about 260 pounds. Rush said that he does not see Dorsey as a prospect that will be able to put on a vast amount of weight in a hurry.

“It will probably be a gradual type deal,” said Rush. “Right now he’s working hard in the weight room and getting a little bit bigger and hopefully he’ll get a little bit faster this summer.”

Being a smaller defensive tackle should not be a big concern for Dorsey with the main aspect of his game being ball get-off and getting up the field in a hurry. He looks right now like he will be very similar to Lamarr Houston in terms of being able to disrupt things in the backfield with his quickness and ability to slice through gaps in a hurry.

Rush also spoke on how much it has helped Dorsey to have not only one, but two brothers to make it to the Division I level. Ashton’s Brother Adren is a second-year defensive tackle at Texas A&M and his older brother Floyd was a starter at Tulane.

“It’s helped him a lot coming from a family with a lot of athletes in it and kids that have gone on to play Division I football,” said Rush. “It set the bar for (Ashton) to reach that goal so it has helped him a lot.”

JT also has a talented 2011 linebacker in Antjuan Lee, a 5-foot-11, 220 pounder who is talented but has not really had a chance to shine since the Lions are bringing back all of their starting linebackers from last season. Jeff Howe

-----------------------------

My next stop was about 30 minutes down the road to Whitehouse, home to Trey Metoyer, probably the top receiver prospect in the state in the class of 2011.

Metoyer put up over 1,000 yards receiving and had 15 touchdowns as a sophomore. Combine that with his 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame, 4.6 speed, tremendous balance and quickness and a 40 inch vertical leap and you have the makings of a potential stud recruit.

Whitehouse head coach Randy McFarlin said that several schools and coaches have stopped by this spring to take a look at Metoyer, including Texas assistant coach Mac McWhorter.

“Body control more than anything,” said McFarlin about what makes Metoyer such a special player. “The ability to control his body in space, his huge hands to catch the football, his eye hand coordination is exceptional, but his body control in space which most great athletes have.”

When asked to compare Metoyer to anyone he had previously seen, McFarlin said that Metoyer is by far the best receiver he has ever coached and did not shy away from giving his pupil some lofty praise.

“I think, eventually, the (Michael) Crabtree kid out Tech,” said McFarlin. “A big, strong receiver, that’s what he’s going to be.”

Metoyer is one of several talented prospects that Whitehouse has in a 2011 class that will measure up against anyone’s across the state.

Quincy Aldridge, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound athlete played defensive back for Whitehouse last season but he will be moved to offense this season to play receiver. Aldridge’s cousin is former Texas A&M offensive lineman Jami Hightower and McFarlin said that Aldridge’s grasp of the game is so impressive that the Whitehouse staff is working him as a backup quarterback.

“He’s a tall kid that’s a very smooth runner and a good athlete,” said McFarlin. “He’s yet to mature (physically) but he has the body frame. He’s probably a better receiver than he is a defensive back so we made the switch.”

Defensive tackle Joey Gautney is a 6-foot-3, 245 pounder that McFarlin said has a thin frame that should allow him to fill out, which could make him quite a force with his legit 4.7 speed.

Whitehouse also boasts quarterback prospect Preston Conder (6-1/185), athlete Dujuan Shelton (6-1/190/4.4), defensive end Conner Cashion (6-3/225/4.7) and a pair of 6-foot-4 offensive linemen in Chris Lawrence (290 pounds) and Terry Brown (295 pounds).

It’s safe to say that McWhorter, who recruits East Texas, will have an eye on Whitehouse this fall. Jeff Howe

-----------------------------

Next up on the East Texas docket was a stop by Kilgore, a school that currently has four alums on the Texas roster, for a visit with head coach Mike Vallery.

Valley and his staff had a fish fry on Monday night and Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp was in attendance and while I was chatting with Vallery in his office on Tuesday, Michael Huey, one of those Kilgore alums, was in the weight room having a workout.

Vallery spoke about defensive end Eddie Jones, who has seen a promising career suffer numerous setbacks due to injuries but nonetheless keeps pushing forward.

“It’s an amazing deal with Eddie, his spirits are good, he’s so positive,” said Vallery. ‘I talked to him yesterday morning and he says he’s rehabbed the ankle and he’s back at full strength with the ankle and he’s trying to get strength back in that shoulder.”

Jones has had six different operations to date ranging from ankle, knee, shoulder and wrist surgeries.

“We all feel so sorry for Eddie,” Vallery added. “In this game, injuries are a part of it and he’s had his share. I talked to Will Muschamp last night and he’s looking forward to having Eddie ready to go and he plans on using him a lot this season.” Jeff Howe

-----------------------------

The latest former Kilgore Bulldog to head to Austin is Dominique Jones, a 2009 signee who enrolled in January and participated in spring ball.

Jones was recruited as a defensive end and figured to be a project, but Vallery said that the coaches have plans for Jones that could have him seeing time on the other side of the ball as a true freshman.

“I think Dominique has made a great adjustment and he loves it,” said Vallery. “From talking to the coaches, they recruited him as a defensive end but I think they are looking at putting him at tight end out of need.”

While it might seem a bit farfetched, Vallery feels that Jones could be more productive playing offense.

“You go back and look at when he was being recruited we all felt like he might be a better tight end than a defensive end,” said Vallery. “I think for what they are looking for and for what they need they have them a good one.” Jeff Howe

-----------------------------

So when will be the next time Texas heads to Kilgore for more prospects?

It could very well be in the class of 2011 with Kilgore boasting a very physically imposing tight end prospect in Pat Colbert.

According to Vallery, Colbert is very similar to current Texas offensive lineman and Kilgore alum Britt Mitchell in terms of ability and size. Colbert is only 15 years old but is already 6-foot-6, 255 pounds.

Vallery also has a talented 2012 class led by running back LaDarius Anthony. Vallery said that the Bulldogs will be young in 2009 and that Anthony and other talented sophomore prospects on the Kilgore roster will likely get thrown into the fire early. Jeff Howe

-----------------------------

The final stop in East Texas was up Highway 259 to Daingerfield, home to Texas 2010 receiver commit Chris Jones.

Jones is a legit 6-foot and a very well put together 170 pounds and despite the fact that other schools constantly ask if Jones is available, Daingerfield head coach Barry Bowman has made it a point to tell schools that Jones is going to be a Longhorn.

“He knows that he is getting mail and he knows that I am not going to give it to him,” said Bowman. “I have a list of 2010 prospects that I give to recruiters and at the top it says, ‘CHRIS JONES, WR, 6-0, 170 POUNDS, COMMITTED TO THE UNVERSITY OF TEXAS.”

Bowman said that the Texas coaches have been by this spring and they have told him how they plan on using Jones in their offense.

“That was one of the big things that Chris said he needed to know before he committed,” Bowman said. “The coaches have said, and I’m not comparing the two, but they want him to play the same position as Quan Cosby.” Jeff Howe

-----------------------------

Chalk another Texas commit up to – Sally Brown?

No, that is not a typo.

The wife of head coach Mack Brown has been a huge reason for the family atmosphere around the program and Chris Jones and Barry Bowman were both blown away with the hospitality of Sally Brown and the Texas coaches on Jones’ Feb. 28 Junior Day visit.

“We were there at the Junior Day (Feb. 28) and they were doing the whole bit, what every school does on a Junior Day, and I thought it was a show,” said Bowman. “All of a sudden Sally Brown grabs the microphone and tells every staff member and Texas coach to get out of the room. She started talking and she was so sincere, that’s when I realized that it wasn’t a show anymore.

“The next thing I know Greg Davis kneels next me and says that he needs me and Chris to stay,” Bowman added. “I knew what was going to happen. It turns out all Mack Brown told Greg Davis was that he wanted to just hear Chris talk, it didn’t matter about what. They just wanted to hear him talk because he’s so shy he didn’t say anything the whole time to anyone but me.

“We were on our way home and Chris asked me what he should do,” Bowman continued. “I told him that I couldn’t make that decision for him. He said, ‘Coach, I don’t have anyone to talk about this stuff, what should I do?”

“I said, ‘Chris, if I had a son, I would not hesitate for one second to send him to that program, to that staff and those coaches’,” said Bowman. “He asked if he could call Coach Brown, I dialed the number and he committed.”

“The sincerity of that staff and those people make that school what it is.” Jeff Howe

-----------------------------

Like Whitehouse, Daingerfield has a load of 2011 prospects in the program.

Bowman said that nearly all of the Big 12 schools have been by this spring and a few SEC schools have stopped by. Bowman noted that Oklahoma assistant coach Josh Heupel stopped by recently and was blown away at the amount of talent that the defending 2A state champions have on the roster.

The best of the bunch is receiver Keyarris Garrett, a 6-foot-4, 185-pound receiver with long limbs and good top end speed. Bowman is high on Garrett, as well as defensive end Steve Edmond, a 6-foot-3, 225 pounder that has 4.7 speed and will play linebacker out of need for the Tigers but will play with his hand on the ground in college. The third big time prospect for the Tigers is David Mims, a 5-foot-10, 160-pound cornerback, whose father of the same name played at Baylor and in the NFL. Jeff Howe

-----------------------------

In case you missed it earlier this week, we’ve released several 2011 prospect reports:

Stony Point Becoming a Football Factory -- http://insidetexas.com/news/story.php?article=1120

Leroy Scott: A Standout from the Start -- http://insidetexas.com/news/story.php?article=1118

Video: 2011 LB Blake Terry -- http://insidetexas.com/news/story.php?article=1117

Anthony Wallace: The Next Skyline Prospect -- http://insidetexas.com/news/story.php?article=1116

Devon Hocutt: Bell County Brawler -- http://insidetexas.com/news/story.php?article=1115

-----------------------------

Texas heads into Saturday’s game vs. Kansas State needing a win over the Wildcats (something the Horns couldn’t manage in Austin about a month ago) to advance to the conference tourney finals. But does Texas need the win to earn a top 8 national seed, and thus the right to host both a Regional and Super Regional (with a win in the Regional round)? Probably not, although reaching the 40 win-plateau with one more win in OKC would most likely remove any doubt. Augie Garrido felt like an 0-fer performance at Bricktown Ballpark may have given the committee pause on awarding a less than 40-win Longhorn team a national seed, but in a year where the top win mark among the top 30 RPI teams is currently just 42, the Horns’ body of work, including a Big 12 regular season title, a No. 3 RPI and at least 39 wins, should be enough. Boyd’s World (http://www.boydsworld.com/baseball/rpi/rpineeds.html) believes Texas has a national seed locked up, regardless of what happens the rest of this weekend, as does Cal State Fullerton, Florida, Georgia Tech and North Carolina. Arizona State, Clemson, Miami and TCU are fighting for the three remaining top seeds, according to Boyd’s. Clendon Ross

-----------------------------

Note from Clendon: Just a quick note of thanks for your participation on the message boards this past week. Here are links to a couple of things that you might find interesting (and if not, there are plenty of other conversations that you just might; or, start your own!):

On the Members Only board:

U have 1 ship left...which of these 5 star prospects most want? -- http://insidetexas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5265

On the DKR board:

Who will be the next to commit? -- http://insidetexas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5238

OU-Texas will kick off at 11 a.m. -- http://insidetexas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5272

Will Gene Chizik succeed at Auburn? -- http://insidetexas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5251

Should The Big XII dump doormats? -- http://insidetexas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5271

On the Entertainment board:

Which movie will be a bigger hit? -- http://insidetexas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5281

On the Food and Spirits board:

Port recommendations? -- http://insidetexas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5235

Thanks again for participating here at IT and thanks for your continued subscription!