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Caleb Bluiett : 2012 Texas Recruiting Spotlight

Caleb Bluiett still has plenty of room on his frame to add good weight (Photo by Wescott Eberts).

Caleb Bluiett still has plenty of room on his frame to add good weight (Photo by Wescott Eberts).

Vitals

Name: Caleb Bluiett

Position: Defensive End

Height: 6-3

Weight: 248

Speed: 4.75

High School: West Brook High School Beaumont, TX

Rating (Rivals): Three out of five (5.6)

Star-divide

Offers

  • Texas (committed 2/26/2011)

Overview/recruitment

Bluiett became the 10th commitment in 2012 class during the Second Junior Day in February 2011. The Texas coaches indicated to Bluiett that if he attended JD2 he would be offered. Like so many others before him, Bluiett was offered by Mack Brown in his office and committed to Texas on the spot. Bluiett grew up a Texas fan so the decision was easy for him.

Bluiett has never wavered in his commitment and is said to be one of the more UT crazed commits in the 2012 class.

GOBR's take.

My take : Honestly, I wasn't in love this take when it occurred. Devonte Fields was an emerging beast, and Mario Edwards hadn't committed to FSU yet. I thought there were better options out there and Texas should be patient. However, Bluiett has grown me, and I now like the take enough to feature the young man. Bluiett will be participating in the International Bowl next week in Austin.

This will be Bluiett's first all-star game setting, and an excellent opportunity to showcase his underrated skills.

Scouting report

DE Caleb Bluiett Junior Highlights (via burntorangebevo1)

Bluiett is so intriguing as prospect because his eventual position is yet to be determined. He played DT for West Brook as a junior, he played TE for his school during the state 7 on 7 tournament, and he played primarily at MLB during his senior season. Bluiett also played TE, DE, and was on every special teams unit as a senior. When I comb over practice reports during the 2012 Fall Camp, Bluiett is a name I will be looking for to see where the young man is slotted to play. Could he add to DE depth? Is the part of the answer at TE? Time will tell.

What I like most about Bluiett is his frame. He's a lanky 240 + pounds. There's plenty of room for him to pack on mass and muscle. He's also an East Texas kid, and they have a long history of blooming late and turning into monsters as upperclassmen. Bennie Wylie going to work on Bluiett will be a very interesting experiment, and I don't think he's done growing just yet. To give you an idea of what kind of athlete Bluiett is, he returned a kick off 60 yards this past season and throws a 89 mph fastball. Not bad for a DE / TE.

Bluiett turned some heads at state 7 on 7 tournament playing TE. So much so, that some recruiting analysts began to project his best position at TE / H back. He is a fluid, fast twitch athlete with excellent hand - eye coordination. He is also an all district outfielder in baseball . BFLT is on the record of loving multi - sport athletes.

I I believe Texas should be careful in their development of Bluiett. He could possibly contribute early at DE, but would probably need a redshirt year at TE. Texas very simply doesn't have an athlete of Bluiett's caliber at TE. DJ Grant was an elite athlete before his serious injury, and I think MJ McFarland can be huge at Texas in the basketball reject playing TE niche. Bluiett is still the better athlete. The coaches have a difficult decision to make, and I think they should take a full year to think it over. Get Bluiett in the weight room and see how his body develops. If he shoots up to 260+, he's probably a DE, but if he can stay fluid and lean at 250, I think TE should be his starting point. He is in very capable hands with Texas coaching staff. Harsin made his bones as the Tight Ends Coach at Boise State and Oscar Giles has consistently put DEs in the League during his time at Texas.

Multiple positions players are always fun to watch at Texas. Look at all the ink spent on Chris Whaley's eventual position. I think Caleb Bluiett is the next one in the pipeline.

Hook 'Em.



0 recs  |  47 comments

Comments

What do y'all think?

Obviously I think Bluiett’s best long term position is at TE, but it’s going to take a few years for him to get there.

I would be happy to see him at TE

But like the article says, if he packs on a bunch of weight then I think DE will be his spot.

His growth will have a lot to do with it

It’ll be interesting to watch which position Bluiett is most natural at. I don’t think Texas can go wrong here.

you got any idea why I can't post on spurstalk?

And I see him as a TE

Welcome

Beaumont kids can play.

I really like kids from Golden Triangle

Angleton’s own Quandre Diggs will do great things at Texas.

not to nitpick

but Angleton is not in the Golden Triangle.

There's something in the air out there

Quite literally. The city smells awful.

If you think Beaumont has an odor

try Orange, Texas = paper mill upwind

eesh

Haha I will try to stay away from there..

No recruiting class is complete without a Golden Triangle kid

Yup, Port Arthur represent!

Honestly

If he is a DE, I have always thought this was a reach by the staff. Not saying they were wrong to offer, but I thought it was a reach.

Edwards, Fields, T. Davis, Magee, Starts, even Danielle Hunter would arguably have all been better takes. (Again, if you only consider DE)

But I like to hear that he is elite athletically. And the versatility is definately huge. So maybe when looked at holistcally, this isn’t such a reach.

I partially agree

There are some grade concern rumors around Magee. Regardless, Texas and Magee have gone separate ways.

I still haven’t gotten a straight answer on Texas and Fields. Sounds like he wasn’t that high on Texas. The Horns need to recruit Arlington better in my opinion.

I don’t feel Bluiett is a reach. He’ll work out somewhere at Texas.

Howe said

He grew up an OU fan and just had zero interest in UT. Was flaky with JD visits.

Hopefully,

this is an evaluation take. Stars don’t always tell the whole tale. Hopefully.

Nearly everyone who is listed in the

“athlete” category is a QB heading for the secondary or some kind of WR/CB/KR hybrid. Sounds like Caleb Bluiett should be listed as an athlete.

Looking up the line, I’m thinking we have Wilson, Ridgeway, possibly Reed and hopefully Raulerson to play SDE. That tells me Bluiett is heading Chambers’ way. Fine with me.

Post 2012, our TE/H-back roster is McFarland and Terrell. Period. Maybe Daniels relocates there, and can contribute. Maybe. Perhaps we haul in a couple of TE types a year from now. Perhaps.

From a sheer needs point of view, Bluiett looks like a tight end. But I’m willing to let the coaches figure it out.

I feel strongly that Texas needs to take at least 2 TEs in 2013

RSJ, Jeremiah Gaines and Durham Smythe are the early leaders. I believe RSJ will be an early commitment.

what do you think about linemen?

I know we are getting a lot of OL this year and possibly next, but blake blackmar is on my team and from what I understand ut is recruiting him already.

Texas gets after the OL early

Blackmar is already pretty impressive as a sophomore. 6’5’’ 300. It’s not uncommon for Texas to touch base with the coaches of OL prospects early. I’ve been told by a few Lake Highlands people that Texas was checking in on Kent Perkins as early as 8th grade.

That might distasteful to some, but Texas knows about this kids from camps and is operating within the rules.

Wow

I didn’t realize that it was such a long process I guess. He is one very, very big dude ha.

It can be a 8 year + recruitment

Recruiting doesn’t end until the player graduates or has his name called in the NFL Draft.

Kind of off topic I know, just wanted to pick your brain.

I honestly don't know much about Blackmar

At his size, he should certainly be on Texas’ radar. 2014 Brenham OT Austin Schlottman is the way too early top sophomore OL in the state.

Blackmar

Has been on varsity since a freshman, and his dad played lb at texas. I think he should be an easy commit in my opinion.

Very nice

Texas is perhaps one more OL recruiting class away from erasing the memory of the MacWhorter Era.

OL

It’s nice to see that. I hope snow continues to impress when he goes to the texas pro day.

You don't think DJ Grant and Barrett Matthews stay at TE?

What about Poehlmann? I can see not counting him, as he’s kind of the EBS.

Of course Jones and Howard were ruled ineligible, but I don’t know if there’s any idea about their possible return. Didn’t Jones actually finish his degree?

Irby decided not to apply for another season of football, so of course he’s gone, and Trey Graham didn’t play at all, which leads one to suspect he’ll just end up giving up playing football.

TE

GoHornsGo, GOBR and myself have discussed this, Barrett Matthews is best suited for FB. I
think Roberson gets the first crack at it, but Matthews skill set fits the FB position. I think Bergeron can also help out at FB / H back when he’s not toting the rock.

Where is Poehlmann’s value other than a jumbo blocking TE? I think he stays there.

Not sure on Jones’ academic status, but it’s all but certain that he won’t be back.

Irby had mircofracture surgery on his OTHER knee. The guy made an excellent decision to retire.

I think Grant stays at H back / TE. He’s the best pass catching threat at the position. He showed flashes of being Ash’s safety blanket in the bowl game.

McFarland and possibly Bluiett have the best chances of any players on the roster to become complete TEs.

The depth is better at FB, H back and TE than most believe, but guys will have to be moved around and play different positions.

I did misread edsp's post; he said post-2012

I was thinking for next season, not after it. Yeah, Poehlmann and Grant will be gone unless they petition for a sixth season (Poehlmann went down in the second game of 2010, and Grant missed the entire 2009 and 2010 seasons, so I would think they’d be granted) , and Matthews will have exhausted his eligibility.

I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re right about Matthews, but I guess we’ll see whether the coaches reach the same conclusion.

bill, any idea about Graham?

I was also wondering if someone out of Onyegbule, Harris, or way on the other end of things (replacing Poehlmann’s role), even Hutchins or Kriegel might move to TE. DGB sure looks like the type who would grow into a tight end as well, although he definitely has that deep ball capability right now.

Graham

Is a player coach, basically on scholarship but not on the team or counting against the 85.

I think all the WRs you listed are staying put, they might play some flex, but they’re WRs.

Grant can and will get a 6th year. Hopefully he continues to get healthier.

I think Grant has to earn that sixth year

He showed promise in a couple of games late in ‘11. And, of course, UCLA tried to make him an All-American. But I don’t think a sixth year is a sure thing. Not at this point. Love to see it.

Here’s what I find odd: The coaching staff knew that AFTER the 2012 season, we’d be without Irby, Matthews, Grant and Howard. They didn’t know Poehlmann would become a TE, and he’s gone after ‘12 as well. They knew Graham was an iffy contributor, even pre-injury. They knew Whaley hadn’t worked out as a TE in 2010. They knew last summer that Dom Jones was iffy on the academic side.

Yet, the staff didn’t even look at a true TE on the recruiting trail all spring or summer. Only recently did TE become a possible recruiting target, and that was after Irby’s career ended and Jones was probably gone.

My conclusion — the staff was pretty comfortable with what McFarland and Terrell could bring to the position, and what Grant could evolve into. And they maybe had a player or two in the class that signs next week they were planning to play at TE or H-back.

Or maybe not.

You might be on to something

I think the Texas coaches also like the 203 TEs better.

As they should

There’s like 5 better ones than anybody in ’12.

Grant seems like a shoo-in for that sixth year

That is, unless he causes trouble, but that goes for anyone wanting to remain a Longhorn.

Grant's not a shoo-in

If he has a good 2012, his chances go up. If some of the younger prospects become suspect, his chances go up. If there’s nobody on campus a year from now to replace him, he pretty much has to be offered a sixth year.

But remember — we have an exceedingly small senior class. Smallest, probably, in the MB era, though the 2004 senior class was also tiny.

We’re gonna need the scholarships a year from now. We project to less than a dozen at this point. I expect 2-3 to open up via attrition before August, and another 3-5 by next January. But 2013 will still be a small class, and those available openings will be precious.

You really think the coaches would tell Grant they wouldn't support his petition?
That would really be a slimy thing to do considering the injuries he has overcome

And the rehab work he has undergone. If he is healthy and wants to play, he’ll be on scholarship.

Some of you are taking this whole attrition thing way too far.

I agree

I think he has contibuted enough and worked so hard to get through the injuries that it would only be fair to give him another year.

That's exactly what I think

I can’t recall a single negative thing coming from Grant. He’s had a long road back to getting on the field, kind of like Irby, except due to a series of injuries instead of one major one. Supporting his petition and keeping him on scholarship wouldn’t be entitlement; it’d be common decency and acknowledgment of the hard work and contributions, even if they haven’t been game-changers for the most part.

Great stuff as usual GGoBr

BBluiett has been completely lost in my mind. Now I’m intrigued.

This was BFLT.
Yeah sorry BBFLT.

Got lost in GoBR’s take.
Kudos all around.

not sure if

blueitt is a better athlete than mcfarland. we’ll see.

nice writeup. should be pretty good.

He probably needs to redshirt

Most “atheletes” should redshirt so the coaching staff can best position him ant the player can polish his skill. See Chiles, Melton, and Kelson who all burned a year of eligibility.

As far as questionable takes, I think it COULD be the following:

DLT – Good kid, but he won’t play at MLB. Maybe FB. Could have at least slow played him
C. Bluiett – If he loves UT, could have slowed played him. Pretty sick athlete though, but a project at DE, a position we’re thin in. Could be a TE, but smart, athletic 240ILBers could turn into a badass MLB.
Kevin Vacarro – Kenny stayed, not argument.

Questinable NON-Takes:

Devonte Fields – Need an edge pass rusher, a type of player we needed
Javonte McGee – Grades and slow played us. We have a good group of DT’s, no worries
Bralon Addison – He’s iffy about his Ag commitment. Why not throw the full court press?
Corey Coleman – Wicked athelete. Would be sick in the slot. No TJ, why not go for him?

Agreed

Would throw Boyette in there as well.

Thanks BFLT

Really glad to hear about his overall athleticism.

89 mph fastball? I’m assuming the kid can throw the football decently as well, which could add another tool in Harsin’s trick play toolbelt. Put him in the backfield like the Patriots have been doing with their TE’s this season and give him the option to throw it.

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