Days after confirming rumors of a pending official visit to Oregon, 2012 Dallas Skyline wide receiver Thomas Johnson is now a former Longhorn commit after notifying the recruiting services that he is planning on visiting Cal and TCU in addition to the aforementioned trip to Oregon and is not seriously considering the Longhorns.
The news comes hours after Johnson flashed at times in the Under Armour game and following a week in which he continually affirmed to reporters that he was a solid Texas commit. Unfortunately, such deceit is simply part of the equation and further illustrates that Johnson's claims weren't particularly worth the breath he used to utter them. So it goes.
It's certainly possible that Johnson simply waited until after the UA game to reveal the news to avoid the attention it would draw and that the Texas staff advised him to move on after he revealed his decision to take one or more visits.
In the end, there's no reason to begrudge Johnson making a decision that he sees as in his best interest, though it is extremely disappointing that he won't be able to show off his considerable talent as a Longhorn. When assessing the decision, it's hard not to point to both the uncertain quarterback situation and the fact that the Harsin offense typically uses only two wide receivers at the same time -- hardly a system to showcase a player in the slot.
So Texas loses out on an immensely talented slot receiver, but there are other prospects Harsin and company could look to add to the 2012 class. Aside from DGB, the foremost among them being Baylor commit Corey Coleman, who has been telling the services that a Texas offer could be looming for some time, and TCU commit Daje Johnson, who projects are more of an all-purpose back, but could be an important piece to the class considering that Oklahoma commit Daniel Brooks doesn't plan on visiting Austin and star all-purpose back Dontre Wilson seeming to favor Oregon early in the recruiting process for 2013 prospects.
Look for something to happen with either Coleman or Johnson in the next several days after limited contact from the Longhorn staff in recent weeks. The preference here is for Johnson, who represents a bigger need than Coleman following the commitments of Marcus Johnson and Kendall Sanders.
And, as hard as it is to say, best of luck to Thomas Johnson wherever he ends up, as he has the talent to become an extremely successful college football player.
0 recs | 257 comments
sigh.
Texas needs to move quickly to change the news cycle of a negative day for the Horns.
silky51 - January 6, 2012
MACK BROWN CURSE!!!!!!!
horns1025 - January 6, 2012 via mobile
TGOD!!!!
thanks for clarifying where you stand Mr. Johnson (OD).
silky51 - January 6, 2012
Hope he goes to TCU
Just so we can emphasize that OD part every year
armsch - January 6, 2012 via iPhone app
He'll go to Oregon
silky51 - January 6, 2012
Oregon's road
is going to get tougher now that PAC12 schools are upgrading coaches and facilities plus USC coming off the bowl ban. I wish him luck tho…
SDG - January 6, 2012
Chip Kelly has 3 consecutive trips......
….. to a BCS Bowl and has 10+ wins every season as a HC. Yeah….., he’s really on the downhill slide……
Those Pac-12 coaching “upgrades” aren’t going to impact their status. The loss of scholarships, not the bowl ban, will make the biggest impact on USC. All you have to do is look back less than a decade ago to Alabama during the Mike Shula years to see the impact of losing scholarships. Alabama lost 21 scholarships over a three-year period and faced a two-year postseason ban. The Shula era — which was from 2003 to 2006, during two of the three years of the scholarship reductions — netted a 26-23 mark. I’m not saying that’s about to happen to USC, but to put it in perspective, Alabama lost seven scholarships a year for three years. USC is going to be down 10 a year for three years.
HornChamps - January 7, 2012
That puts 'Bama's comeback in perspective.
Theirs has been truly amazing since Saban has been there. And Texas was a victim of that resurgence.
robthecob - January 7, 2012
Even as a Cal fan, I’d give you guys a pass, your QB injured on the first possession? That’s rough, man.
Cugel - January 8, 2012
word
Paleface Horn - January 9, 2012
I love your compassion. Thanks!
That injury has kept many of us still in denial about that game.
robthecob - January 11, 2012
Where in my response did I say "downhill slide"?
I merely pointed out that there road is about to get tougher… You state that they’ve had 3 consecutive trips to BCS bowl games which is true, but Pac10/12 football has been borderline terrible the last few years. SC should be in contention to win the Pac12 next year.
SDG - January 7, 2012
cal
If he was smart Cal is the call. Its a great education. Tedford will use his talents better than his other chioces. Can not see someone giving up UT educatipn to hit Oregon. You go to Oregon when you can’t pass Texas High School test
codaxx - January 6, 2012 via mobile
Educatipn
Cal…Turdford now has the ESPN honor of the #1 most over rated / underperforming Div. 1 school head coach in the past 10 years. Cal recruits mercernary soilders who pass through on the way to a possible NFL opportunity. Oregon recruits marines who play and stay together regardless of adversity or varying talent levels. BTW, Cal or your Texas Jr. college appears to have given you an excellent “educatipn.” In Oregon, we learned how to spell education in the first grade. Don’t worry…one day your IQ will surpass your age! Ducks innovate while the rest imitate…Go Ducks
GetALifeBlogger - January 6, 2012
you are so cool
Hammering me on a type-o. I can almost see your biceps flexing behind the keyboard. I am am glad you have pride in your school, but seriously are you going to compare the education at Cal to Oregon?
codaxx - January 6, 2012 via mobile
Well
That guy above is obviously a freaking moron, but I don’t think TJ is necessarily concerned about his quality of collegiate education. He has a chance to play in the NFL. Getting a job is the primary reason for going to college. That’s what he’s doing and Oregon will showcase his abilities brilliantly in their offense.
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
If he feels Texas isn’t the place for him, then so be it. We should send our best wishes, whatever he decides.
Remember, these are 17 and 18-year-olds. I’ve said this before, but there is a reason we don’t allow them to drink.
dimecoverage - January 6, 2012
17 and 18 year olds
should be able to comprehend the idea of “commitment”. As far as I’m concerned, there is absolutely no reason we have to wish him the best in this decision.
40A - January 6, 2012
True...but
There are commitments I am glad I’m not held to that I made when I was 17. A verbal commitment is not a signed letter of intent, and it shouldn’t be viewed as one. Its a way of saying “I’m with you…for now”
Texas is going after MEJ, and he’s committed to FSU. If UT signed him, I doubt you’d be upset about the character of the recruit. A verbal is nothing more than an enhanced #1 position. Recruits understand it, and coaches certainly do.
GAR 1 - January 6, 2012
Recruits de-committing
Actually, it does bother me a little. First, I think it is a little unseemly to go after a player who has already committed to another school, even though I guess everyone does it. Mack has avoided this to a large extent in the past , as well as recruiting OOS, because his philosophy is he wants only players who really want to be Longhorns (and have for a long time), not those who had to be talked into it. And, yes, while I wouldn’t generalize it to a recruit’s total character, if we landed someone who had committed elsewhere, I would know that person may not keep his commitments, and in the future change his mind again before signing day or transfer later.
OBdoc - January 7, 2012
Mack has done it several times this year, actually
I’m not a fan of it, but Donald Hawkins was one, and I believe there was another who was also “stolen” from OSU.
burntorangehorn - January 7, 2012
Yep
You win some, you lose some.
The way it goes.
TxHorns989 - January 7, 2012
Exactly. That's the game.
I understand that. But I’m not gonna wish a guy well at another university, and it’s not wrong for me to do that.
40A - January 7, 2012
You're looking at Mac through rose-colored glasses, doc, imo.
Paleface Horn - January 7, 2012
I definitely admire that Mack takes the high road more often than not
But recruiting someone who’s a verbal commitment to another school ranks well below a lot of other things a coach could do.
burntorangehorn - January 7, 2012
What, Switzer wasn't always above board?!
robthecob - January 11, 2012
Fine,
but what you are saying is NOT commitment!
I’m tired of everybody bring up Sanders, MEJ, Colbert, etc etc. This has NOTHING to do with them. All I’m saying is, I will not wish a player well who de-commits from the University I love. And that’s not un classy. If you don’t take the word commitment seriously, and along with that you don’t take the University of Texas seriously, then buh-bye. I’m not gonna go out and bad mouth him or anything like that, I’m indifferent. He’s dead to me.
40A - January 7, 2012
There is a difference between not wishing him well
And libeling him as the many things you’ve called him in this thread. The logical point, then, is why are only Texas decommits these negative descriptors you are employing? It’s about as salient of reasoning that could possibly exist.
GoHornsGo90 - January 7, 2012
Fair enough.
But I feel the same way about Colbert, Sanders, etc. I understand this is a two way street. That’s the game of recruiting.
I don’t like that the kid said a bunch of bologna about being able to play with future teammates and how he was solid all the way through the UA game and then the day after de-committed. To me, that’s a punk thing to do, hence me calling him a punk kid.
If Colbert went out and said he loved Baylor and got to hang out with incoming Baylor recruits in order to build rapport and then the next day de committed and committed to Texas, I would think he was a punk too. Fair?
40A - January 9, 2012
By the way, you are assuming I don't feel the same way about
Colbert, Sanders, and crew. Sure I’m gonna support them in burnt orange, but I’m not happy about the circumstances surrounding their arrival. But I understand, that’s the game.
40A - January 9, 2012
Agree, 40A
If you make a commitment, repeatedly reaffirm it, and then back out, that is a breach of trust. A commitment affects recruiting decisions and offers and may cause us to lose out on another player. I think there is more reason to offer our “best wishes” (not that they count for anything) to all those players who did not commit to UT and back out shortly before signing day.
OBdoc - January 7, 2012
Was Vince committed somewhere else before throwing up the horns for UT?
I know he at least showed a lot of disinterest in Texas for quite a while. Mike Davis was originally committed to LSU, I believe. I’m pretty sure there have been plenty of others.
I don’t think it’s very admirable to go after someone committed somewhere else, but even Mack does.
burntorangehorn - January 7, 2012
Who cares?
This isn’t about Vince, Adrian, Kendall, etc etc. This is about Thomas Johnson.
40A - January 7, 2012
You mean like all the guys who decommitted from OSU and such...
…and then switched to Texas, right?
Right?
burntorangehorn - January 7, 2012
No, you see, when it BENEFITS Texas...
It’s different. Yeah…that’s it.
GoHornsGo90 - January 7, 2012
2 issues
1- Oregon is a running team and has not produced many pro prospects at wr. TJ can play the DeSean role at Cal
2- NFL is never a sure thing. Recruits should weigh the odds of school getting you to the pros and value of their degree. Most do not and that is a shame.
codaxx - January 6, 2012 via mobile
They haven't produced many pro prospects period compared to a lot of established teams
They’re still an up and coming team under Chip Kelly. The luster is there. Tuinei and Huff both likely have NFL futures. You can be a running team and still churn out quality pro prospects at the WR position. Oregon showcases his skillset better than Cal because he will be heavily incorporated into the screen and end-around game. More so than at Cal. Not saying that Cal is a bad choice, but there’s no argument at all for why Oregon is. It’s the perfect offense for him.
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
Tzar Position
Agree with you GoHornsGo90… Oregon has a slot position called the Tzar. Currently, DeAnthony Thomas, Huff and Barner run plays from this position which allows multiple quick hit formations (bubbles, slants, pitch-backs, laterals, etc.) Johnson could adapt to that position. The other thing that most folks outside Oregon don’t see is that Coach Frost (receivers coach) only wants WRs who can also block. Explosive backs need downfield blocks to spring for big yards. I guarantee you that Johnson does not get a look unless he is a solid downfield blocker.
GetALifeBlogger - January 6, 2012
The Black Mamba is the bomb
Wrangler86 - January 6, 2012
You deserved it for taking a cheap shot at the education system at the U of O. The reality is that Oregon has recruited many outstanding individuals (not just athletes) from the state of Texas. We love our athletes from Texas. Just look at LaMike’s comments today about his U of O experience and the community in Eugene. I have many friends who went to Cal and have respect for the University but not when it turns out cheap shot artists. Leadership and community service are also at the heart of admission to the U of O and not just academics.
GetALifeBlogger - January 6, 2012
I'm sure Oregon is a wonderful place.
I mean, you guys come up with those wonderful uniform combinations. Smart!
But really though, you can’t compare a Cal education to an Oregon one.
40A - January 6, 2012
He deserved it?
What are you, like 10? In case you couldn’t tell by burnt orange trim, this is a Texas blog. Oregon is not known for their academic ranking. It simply is not that good. It’s great that you love your athletes, how does that apply to the current conversation? Leadership and community service? Still not germane. Nobody said it was a bad place. It is not a prestigious academic institution.
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
it was a shot at LaMike
You do realize he finished high school in Ark, because he couldn’t pass the high school test in texas
codaxx - January 6, 2012 via mobile
Yeah
Certainly not the sharpest tool in the shed.
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
Yeah
tool in the shed award belongs to adam james
UTLawGrad - January 6, 2012
Ba-ZING!
Nice one.
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
Nice...
utexas87 - January 6, 2012
Still not sure how AP
Passed the tests. Prob another reason he headed N of the RR.
RQ - January 6, 2012 via mobile
How is liberty eylau considered Arkansas
The school is located in Bowie county which is still in Texas.
spakastu - January 7, 2012
Never mind
He just couldn’t pass the standardized test but academically he was eligible.
spakastu - January 7, 2012
Wow, that's sad
I didn’t know that. The state of Texas doesn’t exactly have the most rigorous academics, so when a kid has to go to Arkansas to finish HS, he has to be dumb as a rock.
burntorangehorn - January 7, 2012
STFU, GTFO
Oregon cheats.
2th DK - January 6, 2012
Oregon cheats, and that’s not smart
2th DK - January 6, 2012
And here...we...GO!
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
Takes one to know one!
I guess that Oregon picked up sloppy seconds on Lyles after UT realized he was not going to steer athletes to Texas. Oregon made a mistake and UT pointed it out to the NCAA. Guess we would do the same if another school’s sex appeal was off the charts and was hauling in massive talent from our state. I still have respect from Texas football but don’t go off and say Oregon cheats when everyone knows that UT paid Lyles (Outside the Lines ESPN article from Mike Fish) 15,000 to do the exact same thing. Get educated…
GetALifeBlogger - January 6, 2012
If we're talking being educated
Why did UT immediately sever ties with Lyles after learning he was dirty, while Oregon was still paying him just last year? Was Oregon really that poorly informed, despite most everybody on this MESSAGE BOARD knowing Lyles was dirty? I don’t find that possible.
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
Appreciate that you recognize that they were paying him off until “they realized that he was not on board with the program…not just severing relations because they are good will agents”
UT actually paid off another scouting service… MSL Sports where Lyles was previously employed prior to Elite Scouting Service contract in 2008-09. Sorry but they followed the agent of doom from 1 scouting service to another. Oregon did not do that. They had a relationship with him as an independent. I will admit that Oregon was indeed late to the party and did not fully understand the impact of this decision. It’s Eugene Oregon…not Austin, Texas.
GetALifeBlogger - January 6, 2012
Not sure I understand your point
When UT found out, they severed ties and wouldn’t play his games. The fact that they paid some other company related to him before the newest iteration of his service doesn’t contradict my point, does it? Unless I am misunderstanding what you said. It is somewhat confusingly written.
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
Texas severed their relationship with him when it became clear that he was not legit
and please Oregon might as well be a bait and tackle shop
horns1025 - January 6, 2012
As Mentioned
Okay..I understand that you are a honk blinded by your allegence to the instituation. I’ll move on to another board now as I’ve worn out my welcome. Can’t have a fact based or intellectual conversation with folks who want to stick their head in the sand or who are plain and simple…well, are just simple.
Out…
GetALifeBlogger - January 6, 2012
um dude your first post was acting like an ass towards another BON member
didnt really start yourself off on the best foot. and compared to Texas Oregon aint much of a much (in terms of Academics) according to US News & World Report Oregon is ranked 101st Texas is ranked 45th. if you want the better education go to Texas. also Cal is ranked 21st so Texas and Cal are ranked WAY above Oregon
horns1025 - January 6, 2012
Congratulations!
iamjackburton - January 7, 2012
No you severed your relationship with him when Texas realized he wasn't going to play ball with UT and was pushing Texas Prospects out of state
ppilot - January 6, 2012
wrong Texas stopped when they realized he wasnt legit and was breaking the NCAA guidelines
try to make yourself feel a little less guilty if you want but you cant pin jack on Texas we play by the rules
horns1025 - January 6, 2012
Yeah I don't really understand this logic
Playing by the rules has always been Mack’s MO. Our problem isn’t getting the players we want, it’s evaluating the right ones to recruit. We don’t need Lyles’ connections to recruit, which is why we automatically don’t recruit any player remotely related to Lyles. I’m sure (hope) you’ve heard of Lache Seastrunk. He had interest in UT and was the top-rated RB in the nation, but UT had zero interest because he was a Lyles man through and through.
GoHornsGo90 - January 7, 2012
Where did you get that idea?
The facts, not to mention the timing, don’t support that statement in any way.
burntorangehorn - January 7, 2012
That might be the ost inane military/sports metaphor yet
Marines? Mercenary soldiers? That’s pretty lame.
burntorangehorn - January 7, 2012
*most
burntorangehorn - January 7, 2012
That Cal
QB looked fantastic last night.
chupita - January 6, 2012
Skyline Mike
What are the chances that Mike Davis will transfer?
PiedAfried - January 6, 2012 via mobile
We don't need anymore Cancer in the locker room
I could care less to see MD gone
kcmorse - January 6, 2012
Not sure if this increases it
as I don’t know if Davis and Johnson were close. But it’s not much of a stretch to suggest that Davis being unhappy and Johnson deciding to de-commit are related. If Davis isn’t happy at Texas, than he needs a change of scenery. It’s that simple. Have heard that Davis has mood swings about that, so it’s hard to say. At any given moment he could be happy about being at Texas and then in the next moment want to transfer.
Wescott Eberts (GoBR) - January 6, 2012
Interesting...
I have mood swings about Mike Davis as well. When he drops two passes that hit him right in the hands I want him to pack his crap and transfer, then, when he catches a TD pass I am his biggest fan.
It just seems like the drops are more frequent than the catches now days.
chupita - January 6, 2012
The last statement
Is certainly true.
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
So Daje Johnson will be who Texas ultimately goes after?
silky51 - January 6, 2012
That's what Recruitocosm thinks.
Don’t know if the staff has made that decision yet, though. Daje is the less redundant talent of he and Corey Coleman, though.
Wescott Eberts (GoBR) - January 6, 2012
Do we really
need another WR in this class?
Especially if you consider the fact that we mostly lineup with 2 WR’s only…
We already have…
1.) Jaxon Shipley,Soph
2.) Mike Davis,Jr
3.) Marquise Goodwin,Sr
4.) DeSean Hales,Sr
5.) John Harris,Soph
6.) Miles Onyegbule,Soph
7.) Bryant Jackson,Soph
Incoming:
1.) Cayleb Jones
2.) Marcus Johnson
3.) Orlando Thomas
I say go “all in” for DBG and if we don’t land him just stick with what we have and go to work next year for more WR’s. That’s my take anyway.
I would much rather have another DE or LB myself. Even a RB… of course, that is after the DBG opportunity of course.
chupita - January 6, 2012
We don't need no stinkin' receivers.
With the unstoppable force of Brown, Bergeron, and Gray, we might throw the ball for shits and giggles, but we won’t need to. 400 yards rushing per game GUARANTEED! Or your money back. I’m good for it.
WreckerTex - January 6, 2012
can we call brown bergeron and gray
the lawfirm?
pchanx69 - January 7, 2012
+1
thebrat - January 7, 2012
you can't run if you can't throw
or catch
Paleface Horn - January 7, 2012
Few things
There is some talk about Mike Davis transferring.
Goodwin might run track, but seems to be thinking of taking football more seriously in the spring (hopefully that is true).
Some talk that DeSean might not play next year and he hasn’t contributed much.
Miles supposedly is thinking of trying out for QB, but I don’t expect that to happen. Would not be surprised if he eventually moved to TE though.
Bryant Jackson might play safety.
Duke Thomas will likely play CB.
With all those question marks, it’s understandable why we’re bringing in such heavy numbers. That said, I can definitely see an argument for saving it till 2013 if we miss on Dorial. If Dominique Wheeler checks out, I would like the staff to look at him. He is in the Jones/Johnson class.
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
Mike Davis
Wow, he is already the leading WR on one of the biggest stages in college football with legit powerhouse stature. Where can he possibly transfer that would increase his career opportunities in the NFL? He would be crazy to think about transferring. He’s been our leading WR for 2 straight years now. What he needs to do is focus on catching the ball, and get right. He’s smart enough to know that he is in the best possible situation that he could be in right now.
chupita - January 6, 2012
Sometimes people just need a change of scenery
Mike had some pretty rough times this season.
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
Davis,
also had some great games this season. Bottom line is, when our RB’s went down all of our WR’s had a tough go of it. Davis is still our leading WR in both his freshman and sophomore years. He has to understand that our QB situation is going to get better instead of worse.
Again, I don’t see any possible scenario that would increase his opportunity for his ultimate goal of playing in the NFL.
chupita - January 6, 2012
Not disagreeing with you
Just sharing what I’ve heard.
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
that would
suck if he does. i gotta think he’s smarter than that.
Darius White never played so it made since… Davis is not in the same situation.
Bottom line, his starting position is his to lose.
chupita - January 6, 2012
Davis, lets be honest
he was only the leading WR this year because Shipley lost 3 games to injury.
Wongworns - January 6, 2012
well, yea
the stats would say that because they were almost dead even.
However, Shipley had a whopping 3 catches for 14 yards in the Holiday Bowl. Davis dropped two passes that would have put him well over 50 yards had he made the plays.
Davis can be legit… right now, as bad as our QB situation has been there isn’t any WR that looked great
chupita - January 6, 2012
The dropping thing...
…kindof a big deal.
utexas87 - January 6, 2012
So,
is having horrible QB’ing
chupita - January 6, 2012
Ash was not horrible in that game.
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
Ash was fine
in the bowl. I am referring to the rest of the season.
chupita - January 6, 2012
Gotcha
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
Yea Ash hit him in the hands...
with a struggling QB you gotta catch them all
Wongworns - January 6, 2012
Yea,
Well Dez Bryant drops a ton of passes, and Julio Jones does as well. Still top notch receivers.
I would suspect that Darius White was a negative influence to Davis, and watching how miserable the QB play (as a whole) was… I don’t think Davis was our biggest area of concern.
That said, playmakers make those types of plays.
chupita - January 6, 2012
True
But Davis doesn’t add anything else to the game like those guys do. He’s not a good blocker like they were (are?), doesn’t have the plus physical attributes, and isn’t a big post-catch threat.
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
dez and julio
Think they are top-notch. Both have potential to be top guys. Neither are their yet.
codaxx - January 6, 2012 via mobile
Bryant and Jones don't play for our Horns...
Some one said it early maybe we should stop recruiting as many guys because they are big and fast, recruit more guys that have great hands and run excellent routes.
Wongworns - January 6, 2012
Or, in our case, small and fast
I think we are on the right track with dudes like Cayleb Jones and Marcus Johnson. Both are very good technically. Course, Mike Davis was supposed to be as well. Johnson is a pretty good technician as well, which is rare for such an elite athlete at such a young level.
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
Goodwin fits that
He’s only around 5’9" or 10". I definitely wouldn’t mind more receivers in the fast and pretty decent hands mold.
Darklust - January 7, 2012
Quan!
THAT’s the type we need right now!
robthecob - January 7, 2012
I really, really miss Quan.
Paleface Horn - January 7, 2012
Goodwin isn't a particularly good route-runner though
We actually haven’t had a player at Johnson’s level of talent (in the slot role) and readiness for the game in…well I can’t remember how long. Was looking forward to seeing what machinations Harsinwhite could come up with for him.
GoHornsGo90 - January 7, 2012
I sure hope that's a big part of it
Davis just seemed to take an enormous step backwards this year. Very disappointing, because the guy looked like a great future star.
He’d be the second Skyline guy to turn away.
burntorangehorn - January 7, 2012
Pretty sure Cal's gameplan
Was to lock down Shipley and see if Quise and Davis could finally catch passes.
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
Miles
at QB?? That is just funny!!!
You are joking right?
chupita - January 6, 2012
Not joking
Played QB in high school. Actually was a pretty good passer and has solid mechanics for a WR. Don’t expect it to happen, but I’ll be shocked if we don’t at least see him in the wildcat more next year. Or that he asks to give QB a try, though I’m not sure anybody will ever know if that occurs.
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
I would
have to imagine that if Miles were a possibility at QB we wouldn’t have reached out to Wallace recently.
Definitely don’t see Miles playing QB ever… besides as a wildcat.
chupita - January 6, 2012
I think that's the correct assessment
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
Mack Brown said it in a presser
I would have no problem with it if it worked. Doesn’t matter who plays QB. As long as they perform up to the standard of the University of Texas. I could care less if they put Mason Walters back there. The best guy should play
jdwall12 - January 7, 2012
I have a feeling that
if MW was the QB, receivers WOULD run the right routes and catch EVERYTHING in their vicinity.
UTLawGrad - January 7, 2012
You can't attribute our poor passing to the WRs
Because we saw them actually play well this year. We saw Goodwin and Shipley break out. As bad we all saw Davis was, he was our leading receiver. He caught 10 balls against OU. DJ Grant caught balls. The WRs dropped balls, but it was mostly because the balls were thrown badly.
jdwall12 - January 14, 2012
And don't forget,
Shipley’s tend to be injury-prone.
OBdoc - January 7, 2012
DGB Prolly a Pipe Dream
I think we will have issues with WR going forward both because of the QB issues and with the offensive design. I am afraid we will have to demonstrate that this is a good place for WRs on the field. Hope Hairsin can give us a dynamic, succesful, offense in 2012.
realmccoy - January 7, 2012
Not a pipe dream
GoHornsGo90 - January 7, 2012
If we can't even get a kid from Skyline to stay committed how are we going to get the best player in the country to come?
We run a two receiver base that requies more thankless blocking than anything, and in exchange we offer an inconsistent passing game thanks to our OL and QB inexperience. I think we’ll execute better next season, but I don’t think the best WR in the country is going to jump at the opportunity our scheme and talent currently offers.
KevinJ - January 8, 2012
Let the Coleman vs. Daje debate begin
billfromlaketravis - January 6, 2012
Bob Barker so who's the next contestant of TGOD
Bob Barker: Dorial Green-Beckham come on down
kcmorse - January 6, 2012
This K-State game is now turning into a nightmare
Great at first but with the 10 points huge SEC momentum
kcmorse - January 6, 2012
Thread in the FanPosts.
Wescott Eberts (GoBR) - January 6, 2012
Sorry Ghost
kcmorse - January 6, 2012
No worries.
Just thought I would let you know.
Wescott Eberts (GoBR) - January 6, 2012
We’re over at Bring On The Cats giving morale support.
Damn pigs.
dimecoverage - January 6, 2012
This sucks..
But good luck to him, shame I’ll never see him in burnt orange…
GoBR do we really need another receiver? I mean DBG is an obvious take but isn’t it getting close to the point where we’ll be taking bodies just to fill a roster…or is next year’s class weaker than what’s still out there?
TowerPower - January 6, 2012 via mobile
We need a fast slot guy
I’m so tired of our misses at WR. If Shipley didn’t have his brother’s name we probably wouldn’t have taken him. We didn’t offer Swope ( an Ausitn speedster that loved Texas), we didn’t offer Emory Blake (of Auburn fame- or we offered a lame gray shirt), we didn’t offer Nwachukwu. We offered Timmons (gone). We offered Buckner, great player- but gone.
Darius White….Transferred to MIZZOU.. Losers all the way around. The whiniest chicken little sky is falling school gets the whiney disgruntled player. This is a bit ironic and funny to me.
Wrangler86 - January 6, 2012
need less fast guys
We need more wrs. Too many athletes playing wr, not enough athletic wrs. Look at shipley. He was never our most athletic wr, just our best
codaxx - January 6, 2012 via mobile
Unfortunately
Johnson is both. Tough loss.
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
Buckner, Arizona's 4th-most productive receiver, had...
….. single digit fewer yards than our most productive receiver. B.Kennedy’s poor influence continues to place a cloud over the offense. What a horror of a hire!!
HornChamps - January 7, 2012
Whatever you're mad at...let it go...nt
vy til i die - January 7, 2012
Pretty reasonable complaint, IMO
Not happy with what BK did to the WR position. Man that guy had no idea how to instill discipline. Thank god for Cosby and Shipley.
GoHornsGo90 - January 7, 2012
I read it as sarcasm. I read wrong.
vy til i die - January 9, 2012
An APB is a bigger need than WR right now.
DGB is a take because of his talent, but I don’t think that Texas needs to take a WR just to take one. The 2013 WR class in Texas is deep, but I don’t think it is quite as strong as 2012.
Wescott Eberts (GoBR) - January 6, 2012
Different kinds of receivers, too, which is interesting
Lots of big and tall ones in 2013. Less juke monsters than 2012.
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
We need a TJ type guy
A fast slot guy to compliment the Cayleb Jones type big oustide guy.
I don’t care if a WR is 5’7" if they are fast and catch and get YAC. Gray is actually amazing with his hands and YAC.
Wrangler86 - January 6, 2012
Think Sanders can be that guy like TJ
That said, I’d prefer the flexibility of being able to move Sanders to CB if he is really as dominant there as reports suggest, despite being relatively raw. Orlando Thomas would take a lot of time to develop at receiver, but he could be an option there if the staff still wants to put Sanders at CB. Heard some great things about Orlando in the Offense/Defense Bowl at DB though—supposedly he was balling.
Gray is a phenomenal pass-catcher for a HS running back. I don’t think he has the consistent small-space juke moves you are looking for though.
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
Thomas was a dangerous K/PR man...
Would think WR wouldn’t be so hard for him, as long as he could block and catch, okay I guess that is a lot…
TowerPower - January 6, 2012
Would have thought he same thing
Before watching our group the past few years lol.
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
I believe that when a player accepts an offer from a program like Texas it should be
immediately withdrawn if that player shows significant interest or visits another school. Johnson should have never had the opportunity to de-commit…his offer should have been withdrawn.
rmaxearnest - January 6, 2012
Maybe it was - we can only hope!
Snide Aside - January 6, 2012
true
silky51 - January 6, 2012
Disagree completely
There are a multitude of reasons why players have doubts about their college choice. It’s a gigantic life decision for the everyday person, and it’s an infinitely bigger decision for collegiate athletes—especially ones that have to spend as much time on their craft as collegiate football players, who could also eventually make a career out of their sport.
There’s very little difference between offering a player who doesn’t immediately commit and a player who says he’s committed but has some doubts and would like to check out a few other places. Circumstances change. Feelings change. It’s not an easy process to go through, by all accounts.
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
I agree
Both sides need to feel comfortable up until signing day. If not, speak up and start discussing the areas of concern. This is a "4 Year’ commitment in concept and both sides need to be happy. If either is not sure, they need to step back. The school and the kid both need to be honest to each other and make it a win-win. If they are not both happy, it is a loss for both. But, once a kid signs (not verbals) it should be 110% and deal with the coaching changes and depth chart etc. It will happen in the NFL too, so deal with it and honor your commitment once you sign.
Wrangler86 - January 6, 2012
Grade issues
I don’t think Dallas Skyline is that great a high school academically and I always wonder on these last minute de-commits how much they have to do with test scores. But, I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt if he gets into Cal, obviously. If it is Oregon I will remain curious. Skyline has a mean ACT at the bottom 1/3 level. So, maybe it isn’t Johnson’s choice as much as a realistic position of his academic situation.
If he simpley likes shiney helmets and flashy clothes that is fine, but we are a traditional powerhouse football team and that flashy bling isn’t us.
TJ is a quick guy and can be very succesful, but he also was lazy last night when the ball didn’t come his way. He was ready for the next play and wanted the ball and highlight reel. I thought he played pretty well, but I was frustrated by the lack of staying in the play when he didn’t have the ball. He would immediately stop and look to the sideline for the next play despite the current play (ignoring his fellow WR being gang tangled). That won’t work at Texas or Oregon. Best of luck TJ, but as always, Texans settle football matters on the field.
Wrangler86 - January 6, 2012
Fair points
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
Haven't heard about any grade issues with Johnson.
I think his de-commitment is for other reasons.
Wescott Eberts (GoBR) - January 6, 2012
your right.
he wouldn’t de-commitment from Texas for grade issues then have Cal on his radar.
SDG - January 6, 2012
Yeah, but is he really on Cal's radar?
I mean, we hear these things way late and we have no idea of academics or transcripts. He kept saying he is a Texas commit, so what changed..
My only point is that we really do not know. Maybe when his final grades came in we realized (both he and us) that we aren’t the right fit. Maybe he just decided he wanted to play at OU. At this point we just don’t know and if it is academics we won’t know unless he goes JUCO.
A kid from Skyline is going to have trouble at Texas just like Quincy Russell from SA Sam Houston. Skyline is a good football school but pretty terrible on academics. So, as much as i’m inclined to bash him as a traitor I’m trying to be fair and consider the other alternatives that it may not be a TJ soured on Texas. Academics are still a component. Maybe he is a genius, I have no idea. I was just throwing out an idea as to why a kid may do a 180 on Texas.
Wrangler86 - January 6, 2012
My guess, QBs
Hard to envision yourself as a wideout catching “passes” from Case and Ash like the ones they threw this year
jdwall12 - January 7, 2012
Having a Colt back there sure would help ...
… but everyone is making this out to be much more of a problem than it actually is. Texas’ WRs & TEs have dropped as much or more passes than Case, Ash, & Gilbert have thrown bad passes over the past couple of seasons. These need to catch the ball. Any incoming recruit can contribute and be a vital cog in a passing game … as long as they catch the dang ball.
robthecob - January 7, 2012
I think it should depend on the player.
Paleface Horn - January 7, 2012
Why do we have to allow ourselves to be duped by dishonest 18 y/o kids...
longhorn35 - January 6, 2012
Like Marcus Johnson, Kendall Sanders, and Donald Hawkins (who's older)?
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
duped?
You are giving these kids too much credit. Most are just confused 17-18 year olds that are not even sure what they want.
codaxx - January 6, 2012 via mobile
Which is why there should be no verbal commitment as an option.
18 year olds can do a lot of things in our country. Understanding the term “commitment” is NOT that hard of a concept.
40A - January 6, 2012
A verbal commitment means nothing
It is a way for recruiting rankings to be judged for the masses in order to increase interest in recruiting and make money. There is no NCAA version of a verbal commitment. Kids commit in middle school; it means zilch. It’s essentially, “Coach I’m most likely coming to your school.” You can’t take away what technically doesn’t exist.
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
Very good point. :-)
dimecoverage - January 6, 2012
Cool. See ya. You can watch the Horns win a national championship on TV like AdrIan Peterson.
WreckerTex - January 6, 2012
Just another punk kid
who doesn’t understand what “commitment” means. Good riddance.
40A - January 6, 2012
Again
Would you like Kendall Sanders and Marcus Johnson, etc. to leave as well? We’re gonna be pretty thin on WRs IMO.
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
I understand your point,b
but they are different in my opinion. They wanted to play for one school from the get-go: Texas. We could’ve offered them the first day they were eligible, Junior days, or right before signing day and they would have committed. We offered, they committed.
After having more offers, TJ committed to us. It’s backwards. I have not problem with them taking every single visit and committing to us right at the end. But it’s simple. Just don’t commit.
BTW, I’m not saying I endorse what Kendall Sanders or Marcus Johnson or Adrian Colbert did.
40A - January 7, 2012
I'm pretty sure some of our best players didn't understand what commitment means either
They just de-committed from other schools to go to Texas.
dumeril7 - January 6, 2012
We don't know all the facts
If he starts bashing us, then he’s fair game. If he just decides that some other school is a better fit, then I wish him best of luck. He has not signed anything yet.
Wrangler86 - January 6, 2012
Someone said that his agent said -
“He didn’t like the QB or the OL situation at UT”
Snide Aside - January 6, 2012
I saw this on Barking Carnival - have no idea if there is any truth to it.
Snide Aside - January 6, 2012
How does he have an agent?
40A - January 7, 2012
Eh.
As a business graduate, I think that a verbal contract is binding. Which fuels my ideals that there should be no verbals. Sure, let them say that, but the media and recruiting sites take verbals too seriously. A verbal USED to mean something.
40A - January 7, 2012
GOBR
Great write-up. Very disappointing, but there is no reason to hate the kid. To GoHornsGo90’s point, we will likely replace him with a kid that will de-commit from either TCU or Baylor and we are all wishing MEJ will do the same to Florida State. Also, Texas has added a lot of WRs since he committed
everything horns - January 6, 2012
Exactly
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
if it fear
Of other commits than I am fine with him leaving. Clearly, that is just a guess and I have 0 information to back the up.
codaxx - January 6, 2012 via mobile
Don't think that's the problem
He should be the top in line for the Quise position that showed a lot of potential in the Holiday Bowl, despite the offense’s struggles. I think it’s more about uncertainty at QB and the offense in general.
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
its just like...
…when you get dumped by a girl. the best thing you can do is move on… we will be fine, would have liked him to stay but if hes not completely sure, its best to not have him on the team. GL kid…
vanterminatorhorn - January 6, 2012
TGOD
We’re in great shape—TJ hears DGB’s footsteps!
2th DK - January 6, 2012
40as
40a I can see you’re upset about TJ decommitment. I feel your pain. But you know we take other players from other school too (Adrian Colbert for example). We should wish the kid well wherever he goes. I’m sure we have enough talent to compete without TJ.
coolfled - January 6, 2012
Ah, knew I was forgetting somebody
Colbert is another example.
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
Again,
the players we take wanted to come to Texas to begin with.
I’m not saying I disagree, but there is no reason we have to wish well any person who commits to our University and then backs out.
40A - January 7, 2012
Could care less if he wants to go somewhere else.
Kid is prolly scared of the of the amount of WR commits coming in, also that we’re still chasing DGB.
Wongworns - January 6, 2012
What pisses me off
… is him saying one day ago that he is fully committed to Texas, throwing hook’em sign at the all star game, and then de-commit one day later. Why not at least say he is in doubt and not fully committed in the interviews, why the deceit? He is a kid, but he is old enough to understand these things.
BTW, don’t come back with “player X has done this too,” so what? that’s a shitty move too.
Cyrus - January 6, 2012
So, why are we bad mouthing T. Johnson—just because he maligned us?
The implication is that one kid is irresponsible or deceitful, but the people that decommed from other schools to switch to us are not mentioned at all. Why is TJ’s character any lower. Bad logic.
I agree with what you said up till that point.
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
Sanders, Daje, Coleman, etc
All have implicated that IF Texas offers, they would think about it. That’s not deceitful. This is the first Texas de-commit since Perlioux (sp?) that I feel this deceit. Westerman’s de-commitment for example was fully justified.
Anyhow, I just think this de-commit and his comments beforehand were in bad taste, not that big of a deal.
Cyrus - January 6, 2012
That's fair
But that is different than, “that’s a shitty move too” that you expressed earlier. Also don’t understand how anybody is just floored by this news, the kid has been saying he’s interested in Oregon for a month or more.
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
westerman's wasnt
any better or any worse than this. i’ll tell you this, we can go ahead and shut off the skyline pipeline…just like we’ve got the lake travis one shut off, for the better. let em go tear it up elsewhere…they won’t. soft, entitled, and definitely ill prepared for ball at our level. let samples and co take a hike.
except for hodges mitchell.
mattw - January 7, 2012
I wish that every Texas player would, at least, subscibe to the ...
… performance trajectory of Hodges Mitchell. He came on very strong … right when he was needed.
robthecob - January 7, 2012
Well they have the most talent in the state year in and year out
So that will never do. Not to mention possibly the best DB in the country in 2014.
GoHornsGo90 - January 7, 2012
Also
Peter Jinkens doesn’t seem entitled at all. Not all players are the same. And we haven’t shut down recruiting on LT, they just haven’t had players talented enough to play at UT in the past few years.
GoHornsGo90 - January 7, 2012
serious question
who is the last skyline hype guy that was any good? also, they’ve apparently got a coach going around on ob bad mouthing our program.
probably being irrational as all hell w/ this but really..screw them.
mattw - January 7, 2012
That's unacceptable re: that crazy coach on OB
What a weirdo. Last Skyline hyped player to succeed? Corey Nelson at OU. Will be a huge piece in their defense next year.
GoHornsGo90 - January 7, 2012
do we know the story?
It is possible Mack questioned why he was looking around. TJ said he wanted to be sure and Mack responded them go look, but we are moving around. Probably, should hold off judging the kid until the full story comes out
codaxx - January 6, 2012 via mobile
Maybe he should look at K State
They need receivers
scott_tiger - January 6, 2012 via iPhone app
Maybe he will
After his obligatory JUCO time to go to K-State.
Wrangler86 - January 6, 2012
I'm glad we find out early
I’m glad we know now that he has moved on. We should move on too and grab other less talent. From what I’ve read, he doesn’t want to block anyway. We need to get 3 stars recruits who are willing to block as well.
coolfled - January 6, 2012
Exactly
Give me a guy that knows how to run great routes and is willing to block to spring our RBs for a long TD.
Wongworns - January 6, 2012
Bralon Addison
I know he is an Aggie commit, but he is GREAT. Has QB potential, but will likely be a WR. And he is really, really good.
Wrangler86 - January 6, 2012
kid can play
And would be twice as nice
codaxx - January 6, 2012 via mobile
We have a better chance of being hit by a wheel that fell off an airplane
Then we do of getting Addison – or T. Williams, for that matter.
Snide Aside - January 6, 2012
does anyone have access to insidetexas?
i wonder what news they have on TJ.
coolfled - January 6, 2012
Didn't see anything of interest there about him
GoHornsGo90 - January 6, 2012
I have ESPN Insider, which also gives me Insider to Horns Nation
All they have is the exact thing that is said above by GoBR
Wongworns - January 6, 2012
Darius White
Former Texas WR Darius White will transfer to Missouri later this month, PowerMizzou.com reported Friday.
coolfled - January 6, 2012
Not sure about the timing on this
Didn’t Mack say that someone (maybe White) was looking at aTm in December, but that he couldn’t transfer until July 12th? Both aTm and MU are still in the Big Whatever until then. If he transfers to MU before then I recall some rule about having to sit out 2 years. Something doesn’t sound right.
dec3169 - January 7, 2012
Hah - found it. Replying to myself.
From the Mack Brown Dec. 15th presser.
dec3169 - January 7, 2012
Thomas Johnson, you are a coward.
Couldn’t be man enough to admit your true plan, huh? No, you pussed out in front of the rest of the Longhorn commits.
I hope and pray we play you wherever you go and that you get a peraonal hello from our D.
KevinJ - January 7, 2012
if mario edwards comes...
is he a coward too? how bout kendall sanders? marcus johnson? the brenham boys? huh?
settle down, man.
mattw - January 7, 2012
Did they all say they were going someplace else at an event like UA last week?
Thompson kept saying Texas then as soon as the media and one time future teammates weren’t around he showed his true colors. Absolute weak move. He had how many chances weeks and months ago to ease into this? But no, he had to even throw up the Horns and say he was coming to the 40 as late as Thusday in a very visible setting.
KevinJ - January 7, 2012
Silly Post
nm
2th DK - January 7, 2012
Strong word to use ...
… from behind a keyboard.
robthecob - January 7, 2012
Seeing as how this is a blog, that's kind of how it works....
KevinJ - January 7, 2012
Yeah
Not sure if you’d have your ‘tough talk’ if you were face-to-face with some of these recruits.
You’d probably actually understand their concerns, desires, and goal to find a program that fits them best, not the program that you want them to go to so you can potentially enjoy an extra tick in the Texas win column several years down the road. Potentially.
TxHorns989 - January 7, 2012
And wanting an extra Texas win or two is wrong because.....???
It’s called Burnt Orange Nation, man. It’s all about all of us wanting the best team possilble so we can win as much as possible. Johnson both lied directly and by ommission for months, thus putting that end goal in jeopardy. At any point he could have come forward and admitted he was considering his options, but to wait until the zero hour, even after saying TEXAS as late as Thursday, that screwed us. And why didn’t he say anything until then if not out of fear?
KevinJ - January 7, 2012
I'm saying
its selfish of you to criticize a kid because he wants to do what is best for himself so that you can potentially see an extra Texas win.
He probably didn’t say anything since it would have led to a less pleasant UA experience with so many Texas commits there, not to mention he may not have even been ready to de-commit prior.
We all want Texas to win as much as possible. But I’m not so narrow-minded so as to call a young kid a coward when he wants to do what’s best for him and his future.
Grow up.
TxHorns989 - January 7, 2012
WWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Thanks for the lecture, dad.
Fact is we needed him, he told us he was coming for months, then he bolted FOUR WEEKS fom signing day…..HOURS after AGAIN saying Texas….to a team that doesn’t even need him. Sorry I can’t be as happy as you about this.
But, you are absolutely right about one thing, I couldn’t care less what someone is thinking or feeling if his commitment gets us even one more win. If you don’t agree that’s fine, but at the end of the day I’m crazy enough to think that winning matters. If you’re happy simply watching games regardless of outcome that’s cool, but I promise that’s not the road to where we are with a 100,000 seat stadium, an ungodly budget, and our own network…or where we want to be.
As the man said, winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing. Ask Nick Saban how that’s working out…
KevinJ - January 7, 2012
You’re entitled to your opinion, but it’s pretty disgraceful. These kids aren’t pawns for you to enjoy Texas football, but I get the sense you feel that way. Sounds like an SEC fan.
We should also stop recruiting MEJ in your opinion, since he’s told FSU he’s coming and he’s been committed to them for months. And we need to return our OSU commits, Colbert, etc.
TxHorns989 - January 7, 2012
Nope...we should get everyone we can, however we can, and not turn into Notre Dame, rich and nostalfic
KevinJ - January 7, 2012
Can't ya'll let the man be angry
without attacking him? If you don’t like the post, ignore it. If there’s an issue with it, let the moderator know.
40A - January 7, 2012
There is a stark difference between anger and
“Thomas Johnson, you are a coward.” About as stark as it gets.
GoHornsGo90 - January 7, 2012
Well put.
robthecob - January 11, 2012
Can't you let me be angry
without attacking me for trying to protect a kid? If you don’t like my post, ignore it
TxHorns989 - January 7, 2012
It goes both ways, huh?.
Calling a kid you don’t even know a “coward” is a bit too strong, that’s all.
robthecob - January 11, 2012
Lets just remember we are dealing with a boy that is immature at this point in his life. Lest we forget super mario is leading on texas about our chances. He comes to texas and says all the right things then goes to florida and says the same stuff insert florida here. These kids enjoy the spotlight they get and will live it up. Its what most of them do and we should not be hating the kid. We all know in recruiting a verbal committ means diddly poo. He is not committee till he signs the papers. Lest we forget tons of kids across the nation decommitt and committ elsewhere. Its about choosing the right future. Plus this guy had already decommitted twice right was this really unexpected. If you hate him now you should of hated him when he decommitted and committed to texas it is no diffrent.
matthew62 - January 7, 2012 via mobile
Not to mention
You have hundreds of media members, friends, and coaches constantly hounding the player over their decisions. I’d probably go crazy talking to people all day on the phone, through text, and having to read unfounded message board and Twitter posts about how I’m immature and selfish. Look at how much content is put out just by the three or four main UT pay sites. Now multiply that by every major school recruiting the kid. It’s sick, in a way.
It’s a brutal time period and bashing the kid for what they did is counterproductive to A) possibly getting the kid to come back and B) convincing other recruits to go to Texas.
GoHornsGo90 - January 7, 2012
academics
Look fellas, I went to an uber-prestigious undergrad and Oregon for grad school, and for most undergrads, to say nothing of football players, the academic distinctions between almost every D1A school not named Stanford are marginal considerations at best. Texas is better than Oregon, but both are AAU member universities, both are in the top 2% of universities in this country (find the difference between 45 and 101 versus the number of universities in the US), and an undergrad will gain substantial advantages from attending either one. The PAC 12 and the Big XII have similar minimum requirements, so to go off on academics makes you sound like sad bitter Husky fans. You’re Texas. You’re better than that. If he chooses Oregon (or Cal or TCU) it’s probably for football related reasons. Sheesh.
AZ_Duck - January 7, 2012 via iPhone app
Stop trying to piss on our pissy whiny party!
This thread is kinda like a jilted lover diary – and you bringing up facts … is certainly not productive!
robthecob - January 7, 2012
Duck fans
Why are you so sensitive? This is a blog of Texas fans talking amongst themselves. Nothing has been said that was not the truth. If you are pissed because I said the kid would be stupid to select Oregon over Cal fine. If he was my kid that is what I would tell him. If my kid chose Oregon over Cal he might get backhanded. Education is important to me. Just my opinion, no need to get offended. By the way, if you arrange for a kid to transfer to an Arkansas high school, because he can not pass the Texas proficiency test, be prepared to get some people questioning academics. Your coach’s actions opened that door
codaxx - January 7, 2012
Nobody's pissed
D1A football players do not attend school primarily for the academic experience. Texas and Cal are great schools, Oregon is a very good school. I would be proud and happy if my child attended any of the above-named institutions. Short of a desired major not be available at a given school (e.g. some schools don’t offer engineering, business, or architecture) there are very few D1A prospects who for whom academic rating is a primary consideration. For that matter, most D1A prospects aren’t majoring in engineering, business, or architecture either.
LaMike made the most of his shot. He sucked at the Texas HS test, but got a diploma from his Texarkana HS and now has a degree with a good GPA (Athletic department tutoring program FTW) from Oregon. So good for him. He’s going to the NFL anyway, which was probably his primary consideration out of HS. Again, you sound like a bitter Husky fan.
AZ_Duck - January 7, 2012
that is the crux of our disagreement
I know kids think only of the NFL, but as a parent it is my job to realize the odds. The system uses these kids and if they were guided better they would rrealize all diplomas are not equal. I look at Luck and say nice call, because if you are that good the NFL will find you. I can say if Stanford and Texas came calling it would be one brutal call as a parent. You can take it as bitter, but i have seen the odds of going pro they are not good and i think kids too often overiestimate their odds to make the NFL and underIestimate the value of a top ranked education
codaxx - January 7, 2012 via mobile
Let's not kid ourselves
If you were a wide receiver of Johnson’s caliber coming out of high school and you witnessed possible the worst quarterback play in the history of the University of Texas, would you want to come too? At the end of the day, the kid has to make a decision on what’s best for him. Our quarterbacks were absolutely horrible this year. He will get the ball at Oregon and Cal and get a chance to shine. Neither one of those teams are going into the Spring with questions at QB. It sucks that we lost a good recruit and we’ll probably drop in the rankings, but we’re fine and we’re going to be fine. I wish him all the best where ever he goes. Let’s not forget, we’re also taking commits from other kids who were committed to other schools. And we’re probably going to get another one in Daje Johnson or the Coleman kid who is a Baylor commit.
jdwall12 - January 7, 2012
Sillytalk.
You might not have been watching the ‘Horns for long but we’ve had some more difficult eras than this. Even Vince, in his 1st year, was less of a threat in the passing game than the current 2 guys. He was just ineffectual & bad … to the point that Chance Mock had to come in and bail him out. But thing is, and these recruits need to realize this, is that everything is cyclical - and VY was a perfect example. Every position on this Texas team is loaded for the next several years, great recruits continue to come in, and the QB position is going to catch up to the rest, sooner rather than later. Guys like TJ need to jump on for the ride … or miss out on a ‘Natty’.
robthecob - January 7, 2012
I don't think Vince was worse in his first year than Case or David
Not sure what you’re talking about with Chance bailing him out. Only time Chance played after Vince passed him was the end of the KSU game, right? When VY got injured toward the end of the game? I think that’s right.
Chance was not satisfactory for the talent around him, but I would have killed for him to be on the team last season. Solid player.
GoHornsGo90 - January 7, 2012
Vince
Wasn’t as bad, but that was because he could run like a SOB. He couldn’t hit the side of a barn as a freshman.
codaxx - January 7, 2012
When he started passing well, his running holes started opening up.
Speed kills & Vince certainly ran like a freakin’ deer. It always got him outta trouble.
robthecob - January 11, 2012
Chance also came in to win a game at the end vs. TTech because Vince's passing ...
… wasn’t going to bring them back. Yeah, I agree. Chance Mock on this year’s team woulda got them at least 1 or 2 more wins. Dude could throw like a cannon and he was a pretty solid smart player. My best friend was his cousin so we watched & cheered him pretty closely. Chance’s only problem was that he was there at the same time as Vince was.
robthecob - January 11, 2012
Daje wants to be TGOD really bad!
2th DK - January 7, 2012
Talk about a bad night for the horns...
Thomas Johnson…..gone.
Bo Wallace…..cancels visit to Texas.
silky51 - January 7, 2012
I understand the comment, but
Look at the number of high-profile recruits over the years who went elsewhere after Horns in the running (Darrell Scott, holla). There are countless players who made it…and did not. Time will only tell whether this is a miss or a good thing.
Just have to keep moving forward. There are several hungry guys that will come to the 40 and bleed their guts out. One miss on a player doesn’t break the bank.
TXStampede - January 7, 2012
Wallace hurts either way
We need QB help, whether it be as a starter or a backup.
GoHornsGo90 - January 7, 2012
HE CANCELLED IT??!?!?!?!?!
ludashoeless - January 7, 2012
Another indictment on this offense
Never like the selection for OC and liking it less after losing a soled recruit. Two WR is a joke in a game where putting mulitple wr’ers on the field is the rule of the day.
Plus add to that the transfer of key players and you have a recipe for disaster. Mack could do a lot better at OC and most people know it..
bevomav - January 7, 2012
Yeah
Nobody really “knows” that. Or thinks it. Harsin was the correct choice at the time. Who would you have picked?
GoHornsGo90 - January 7, 2012
Correct me if I am wrong
But 3 of the 4 NC haven’t run the spread (including this yr)
codaxx - January 7, 2012
Going back to 2003
LSU, (pro), USC (pro), Texas (multi, zone read), Florida (spread), LSU (pro), Florida (spread), Alabama (pro), Auburn (spread), LSU/Alabama (pro). Pretty evenly split, actually.
GoHornsGo90 - January 7, 2012
I Don't Blame TJ
Don’t get me wrong, I’d love for him to stay cause I think he’s a stud, but we’ve gone all in on our defense and RB’s so why would a WR come? UT is a run first and often offense and we don’t have a QB to deliver the ball. I’m sure he saw the action packed, all offense Rose Bowl and wants a piece of that. I would. UT’s offense was horrendous Mack needs to figure out the QB position 1st (cause you eventually need to spread the defense out to open up the run game) then you can get stud WR’s.
As for Wallace, I think the fans as well as Mack believe that because of the name “UT”, these kids should want to come kiss our 1 recent trophy before visiting any other school. I don’t believe we’re working nearly as hard to 1) get top “TALENT” (which is different than “Top Recruits” since we’ve been chasing system players from system school districts) as well as 2) re-sale current recruits. I believe Mack waiting too long to pull trigger on Wallace while expecting him to want to come to UT without an offer.
ExtraLonghorn - January 7, 2012
Let Davis go.
Sometimes players are just punks. I’m not impressed with his route running or his hands. Sometimes you have to admit you made a mistake with a punk. He is from the gang ridden area and toilet of Dallas Skyline. You always give a kid a chance to get out of hell but if he shows signs that he isn’t wanting to learn or wants to bring a virus to your team you kick him out. If for any reason he thinks he wants to to Colorado and has said it in any public forum you revoke his scholarship and give home the boot. We want “all in!” Not “all in on my terms!”.
LEMILES - January 7, 2012 via mobile
Why the hate for Davis?
He is a horn and having some issues. Yes, he frustrates the hell out of me, but no need to make blanket accusations about his character. I hope he stays. I hope he realizes his potential. What is to be gained by blasting his character and making his decision to transfer an easy one?
codaxx - January 7, 2012
People are just frustrated with his drops and regression. He still has the tools to be a fantastic WR and another year under Wyatt will be great for him. I expect him to rebound next year
armsch - January 7, 2012
Especially since the threat is about TJ
GoHornsGo90 - January 7, 2012
Bigger Picture
Losing Johnson is prolly not a killer. What concerns me is the DFW pipeline shutting down and heading to Arky, TCU, and LSU. We are looking at possibly a decommit and 2 transfers from DFW WRs in 2 months – that scares me.
realmccoy - January 7, 2012
But we still have the LB Jenkins from the same school as TJ
Wongworns - January 7, 2012
What good has come out of Skyline
in the last ten years? I searched and searched and found nothing. I’m not saying I want the pipeline to close, but we recruit in the football hotbed of the world. It wouldn’t be the end.
40A - January 7, 2012
So Recruitocosm has some interesting rumors...
That Addison might consider UT if we offer him as WR
Apparently we haven’t learned from our mistakes and told him he’d only be a safety if he came here earlier in the recruiting process
armsch - January 7, 2012
i was reading through everything to see if any1 asked already
then i got sick of having to read complaints about a high school athlete changing his mind over and over again. who cares? anyways, chances of a recommitment to UT or have we retracted his offer completely?
ibleedburntorange49-9 - January 7, 2012
Who cares??
A bunch of people obviously care when Texas loses a 4 star recruit and you obviously care cause you clicked the story and wondering if he will recommit. Wow
But no, chances aren’t good since he’s looking at 3 teams and Texas isn’t one of them
ExtraLonghorn - January 7, 2012
im not happy about him decommitting
im upset that he did. but does that make me want to BLAME him and accuse him of wrongdoing? nope. TJ is doing what is best for TJ, which is the right thing to do for him. i wish him luck wherever he goes.
ibleedburntorange49-9 - January 7, 2012
I don't blame him for going somewhere else...but
If I were TJ, I’d go to a powerful high scoring offense like Oregon. Especially after watching the high scoring rose bowl! Texas is a run first and run often offense without a QB to deliver so you can’t expect stud WR’s to want to come. Plus, all attention was put on our 3 young stud RB’s. I do however blame him for committing then going back on his word. 18 yr old or not, it’s not ethical.
ExtraLonghorn - January 7, 2012
Then he doesn't belong at our University:
We’ve had enough “me first, self absorbed” players. That’s what leads to 5-7.
40A - January 7, 2012
yeah...that's the main problem.
vy til i die - January 9, 2012
OU feeling exact same way
Apparently DB Da’Vante Harris just pulled the de-commit on them. He and TJ are now alleged to be going to Oregon together. How sweet.
http://www.crimsonandcreammachine.com/2012/1/7/2690164/cb-devante-harris-decommits-from-oklahoma
Wrangler86 - January 7, 2012
akina
This will look so hypocritical after so many posts about loyalty, BUT CALL HIM NOW
codaxx - January 7, 2012 via mobile
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