SB Nation - Login for mobile commenting

Burnt Orange Nation

Jake Raulerson to Texas, 1st 2013 Commit

For the second consecutive year, the Texas Longhorns picked up a commitment before the first Junior Day weekend, securing a Friday pledge from one of the top players in the 2013 class, Celina OL/DL Jake Raulerson.

It was a pledge that had been in the work for weeks, if not months, with the kid called Maulerson simply waiting for the 2012 class to sign and receive their due share of attention before grabbing his own headlines with his commitment. He had hinted at it for weeks, telling multiple services that after a visit to Stanford, the Texas Junior Day was the only one he planned on attending.

A top national prospect who was probably approaching 30 offers, Raulerson may have committed early, but it wasn't without doing his due diligence. Besides the recent visit to Stanford, Raulerson took a whirlwind tour of the Southeast last summer, visiting numerous SEC schools.

Jake commits to Texas (via Gatordaze123)

Check out the video above of Raulerson calling Mack Brown to inform him of his decision. Cool stuff.

Star-divide

But in the end, Raulerson felt like Texas was the best fit for him ($), as he indicated to Erin Hartigan of Scout:

It was just talking to the coaches, talking to Coach Brown... Spent time with Jaxon Shipley, Josh Cochran, Quandre Diggs, a bunch of the guys... It just felt right. Everything. It felt like home. The whole visit was great."

To be a honest, a major factor was Coach Wylie, their strength and conditioning coach. He's incredible. He's going to make me into a monster, make me the best I can be. He's one of the main reasons I picked Texas, considering you spend 90 percent of your time with the strength coach.

Proximity to home was another big factor.

Many of Maulerson's opponents would probably argue that he's already a monster, so it's pretty scary to think about what he could become working with Wylie. Well, scary for Texas opponents, that is.

I mean, check this out:

The Hit (via Gatordaze123)

Horn Nation writer Carter Strickland summed up what the Texas coaches expect of Raulerson ($):

Now Texas has turned to him to be the lead recruiter in 2013, the player who not only elevates the class to top-five status, but helps bring in the players to do just that. This is what was explained to him as he sat at the breakfast table with Mack and Sally Brown as well as Texas president Bill Powers and his wife, Kim, two weeks ago. This is to be his role for 2013.

Raulerson explained to Scout what the coaches saw in him:

They loved my motor. They told me they plan on working me at defensive end and rotating me in at tight end for blocking situations and whatnot."

"They also like my personality. They call me their 'Bell Cow,' their leader. They know I'm a guy that's going to go out and recruit and help build the class. I'm honored to be a part of that. I'm very blessed to have everything that I have. It's been amazing.

And an amazing start to the 2013 class for Texas.

The only question now is where Raulerson will play when he gets to Austin. He stars on both sides of the ball for Celina and where his body takes him could ultimately determine where he plays. The 6-5, 250-pounder dominated on both sides of the ball at the 2011 Texas summer camp, with Bennie Wylie going as far as to say that Raulerson was the best offensive and defensive lineman at the entire camp after destroying many of the 2011 Texas commitments in attendance.

Jake Raulerson Junior Highlights 2011 - Offense (via Gatordaze123)

At this point, it seems that Raulerson will start out at defensive end and perhaps play some tight end situationally, with the possibility of moving to offensive line if his body fills out to the point where he has the mass to play there.

Jake Raulerson Junior Highlights - Defense (via Gatordaze123)

The bottom line is that he's just a flat-out football and maybe he's so old school that he could continue playing on both sides of the ball at Texas. Is there really any point in questioning whether or not he can do that?

Didn't think so.

0 recs  |  130 comments

Comments

Love this guy...

great way to start off the 2013 class.

Awesomesauce!

Love this, welcome to the 40 Maulerson

I saw the first clip and my initial reaction was...

GOOD GOD!!!

Not that this matters

Do you think he recieves a 5* rating?

That will be interesting to watch.

It may depend on where the different services project him. I think his greatest upside lies along the offensive line, but will he be able to put on enough weight? What if he plays some tight end and stays lean and shows some ability in the passing game, in addition to his excellent blocking on the edge?

You posted this 5 seconds before my post below

Would like to see him get a shot at TE. We’ve got lots of OL.

The only question now is where Raulerson will play when he gets to Austin.

Doesn’t he already answer that question?

Like a few lines up doesn’t he mention coaches will be working him at DE and a little bit of TE.

They loved my motor. They told me they plan on working me at defensive end and rotating me in at tight end for blocking situations and whatnot."
Yeah, it's all speculation about potential moves, but it sounds like he and the coaches have a plan

That kind of size could be nice at DE.

Guess I meant more in the long term.
Great pick up and great way to start the 2013 class

Welcome to the 40, Maulerson!

great news

Great pick-up and a great honor to be choosen at the leader. He now needs to spend some time coming up with a slogan. Thank God “swagg” is taken

How about "Texas, or we will feast on your entrails?"
You can git wi' dis,

or you can git wi’ dat.

Amazing.

Way to start off the 2013 class. After watching NSD he was probably just itching to join the fun. The thought of Jake Raulerson opening up big holes for Johnathan Gray to run through just makes me salivate.

You've been very busy lately GoBR

Your hard work is truly appreciated and the main reason that this is the first website I looked at when I got home yesterday to view recruiting results.

Did I read somewhere that this guy has good hands at the TE position? He’ll probably fill out too much but geez, if he can catch AND block…

In my understanding,

Raulerson has maybe played a bit of TE in 7on7, but I don’t know if there is enough evidence to suggest anything either way. I do know that I would like for the staff to find out.

He seems

To have decent speed for someone his size.

I read somewhere that

he has been catching 5 bags of tennis balls every day to work on his hands in case he is called upon to play TE

all at one time? nt
For whatever reason

That made me laugh.

haha, this is a very important question that needs to be answered..
Maulerson

What a huge way to start next year’s class! Raulerson is the ONE player I’ve felt we had to have for next year, and he makes a huge statement as the lynchpin of the next class. He’s so good that he could play both offense and defense in some situations down the road. I can’t wait to see who follows his lead toward us building another top five class.

He reminds me

of a modern day Tommy Nobis. Don’t mean to put too much on the young man but the football similarities are numerous. Plays both ways & is the best on both sides of the ball, nonstop motor, consumed with football, on the field has the attitude that he’ll kick your ass, and just an old school football player. Not much else matters. This kid will find the way to be the best.

I was thinking Randy White

Guy just keeps coming…never quits !! What a great pickup to start things off!!

my comp

is JJ Watt

Why do we feel the need to compare him to other white players?

Are we so shallow that if he has a different skin color than he cannot be a similar player? Nothing bugs me more, especially with white basketball players and the only comparisons are to other white players.

Have this sentiment as well

Though I’m not trying to preach. For instance, the best comparison I can give to James Harden is Manu Ginobili, but few others would consider this. Also I always thought Jordan Shipley was very Marvin Harrison.

Got to agree with you.

It’s so ingrained, it’s even a thing in freakin’ video games.

Well hard not to

When the kid is such a gym rat and a heady player

coach on the field?

Rumors are he brings his lunch pail to work every day.

I didn't NEED to

I chose to & my choice was to pay him a compliment by saying he brought to MY MIND Tommy Nobis. Nobis was the last great dominating two way player that I remember at Texas. Sorry to bug you but no player of color comes to mind. Nothing bugs me more than jumping to invalid assumptions.

It's not really invalid

I see this happen SO often. Not saying it is necessarily the case in your statement or anyone else’s here, just a genereal theme I see across message boards.

Actuallly, I was thinking he looked a lot like a brown guy named ...

… Bevo.

actually

you may want to think about instead of being lazy. I have linked the 2, because both are tall 6’5" v 6’6" and the biggest asset both have is a motor that just does not stop.

and Watt started his career as a TE
Actually, Nobis is a pretty apt comparison.

These white guys would be too: Dick Butkus, Jack Ham, Jeff Leiding, Ty Allert, Ray Nitschke, Brian Bosworth, Lee Roy Jordan, Chuck Howley, etc… Like Nobis, Big Jake is a two-player who is huge for the LB position and still all muscle, very athletic, imposing, and the rock of his team. But we digress …

Nobis was, perhaps, the greatest college LB of all-time. Most queries of this sort come up with Butkus, LT, or Nobis but our greatest-ever UT defender has a pretty good argument as the greatest of all-time. Let’s hope that Raulerson gets into the same discussion of this “Mount Rushmore” of Longhorn or, even, NCAA greatest linebackers that currently include Nobis & Derrick Johnson.

He's not a LB

Therefore guys like Butkus are not really applicable. Neither is DJ.

Can't think of

a better way to start a class. This kid is a football player.

Question

Did anyone check to see if that LB was alive after that hit Raulerson game him?
Wow.

Starting to think Raulerson

is something of a misanthrope. He certainly acts like it on the football field. Situational misanthrope?

I'd like to see him

as a lead blocker on goal line runs. Some of our favorite Bevo-size players have filled that role over the years. Seems like a perfect spot for Maulerson.

I'd like to see him take out some CB or S

in the open field after a catch.

I'd love to see that

but i think a lot of CB’s in high school would avoid him. I know i sure as hell would if i was an average 5’10’’ corner. if you’re not trying to play D1 you’ve got nothing to gain going head up with this man child.

Shameless re-post: Raulerson's a cave troll on the football field

His mother would be so proud.
Being a former OL/DL back in my glory days

this kid gets me real excited. Just locks on and plays to the whistle. Good feet and love the mean streak. Great problem to have not knowing where he will play since he excels at both.

And the train keeps on a rolling

We are building towards something special in the next few years. If we can keep some consistency in the coaching ranks and the Offense improves, our Defense is setting us up to compete for not only one but maybe several MNC down the road. Hook ’em.

Bama Offered Him as MLB

hope he can find the OL. Just a masher. Been so long since we had a mean nasty OL really hopen he can join Riser.

Have a mean, nasty dude right now.

His name is Mason Walters and he could have a really good season if he can play with more consistency.

I hope some of Mason’s attitude rubs off on some of the new guys coming in. And not just his fellow O-linemen.

too light in the ass

When was the last time anyone projected a 250# kid to OL?

Still Young

I hope he can grow into the position. There is one clip on his tape where he drove block a kid for almost 30 yards. Sort of like in the movie Blindside. He just really finishes the block.

Josh Cochran left high school last year at 265.

And I saw today that Hookem was listing Raulerson at 260, so the 250 I used might not have been his most recent weight.

Josh Cochran

has that extra 2" on Raulerson. For me its easier to project good weight gain on that longer frame.

I guess we’ll have to see where Raulerson’s body takes him through his Sr year into Spring practice next year.

Santos and Raulerson on the field at the same time...

Doesn’t that violate some provisions in the Nuclear Disarmament Treaty?

Nice

I can’t imagine what a collision between those two would look / feel like. Might send a shockwave….

I love to imagine them

Sandwiching Matt Davis.. Over and over and over..

... w/ Gideon & The Machete delivering a few late hits ...

… for good measure.

no not Gideon

he would duck his head and give Machete a concussion…

Hahaha

Maybe KV2 and Machete then… Gideon gets to clean up and get credit for the KO ha

Even though he was no good

I would gladly give Gideon another year of eligibility if it meant he got to hit that dbag. Maybe for once we’d see Gideon bring it full force and wrap up, it’s a novel concept but Adrian Colbert’s tapes prove it is possible

It moved
Ha, Seinfeld!

Great reference.

I'm sorry, you were thinking about making a sandwich?

Mack Brown already cleaned out your fridge, took all the sandwich-making ingredients, made the sandwich, ate it, cleaned up, washed the dishes, dried them, and put them away.

Mack Brown

Sandwich Ninja

The pieces of the puzzle are starting to fit nicely for a run at.... world domination.

The defensive highlights didn't excite me as much as the offensive ones did

He just seemed to drive and drive and drive whenever engaged, and while he obviously made those nice plays on defense, he used that drive and technique insanely well to take ends and linebackers off their balance. He looks like one of the best pure run-blockers I’ve seen at that level, although I admit I’m certainly not an expert. While I was never a lineman or TE, he just looks like he has a great understanding of how to seal off defenders when he can’t just flat-out pancake them. He treats the defender with whom he’s engaged like a fulcrum, and easily orbits him in such a way that he’s exactly between the defender and the play. He has the athleticism and height to get out front like an elite RT or good TE should, but obviously the video doesn’t provide any clue as to how well he would function as a receiving target. If he were to show any competence at that, he could be another Alge Crumpler, but otherwise he’d just be Jason Dunn at TE. Or he could grow into RT, and maybe he’d be better off making more money as another John Runyan anyway.

I think you are correct about

His run-blocking status. In different ways, he and 2013 G/C Darius James both fall into that category.

Jake is a bit of an odd case in that I agree with you that his offensive highlights are far more impressive (though many people on Twitter prefer him at DE because of the importance of the position), but I’m not positive he has the frame of a tackle. So he’d have to play guard, which is one of the more easily-recruited positions and less heralded than the other two. So I’m not really sure where I stand on him. Nor do I particularly care, as long as he’s on campus. I do think it’s interesting to discuss though.

Absolutely interesting...I too was wondering about his frame

Must have that nice, long wingspan to be a left tackle, but it also needs to be decent at RT.

The Under Armour combine site lists him at 6’3.75" 231lbs. I can only assume they did legitimate measurements, but as long as they did, that’s right in the range for a college tackle. Considering he’s 17 (give or take a few months, I suppose), and males typically don’t stop growing until 19 at the earliest (and it’s still normal to continue gradual growth through 25), he should end up over 6’4". Normally a first-round LT in the NFL is going to be 6’5"+, but that’d be in a pretty sweet spot for an NFL left tackle or any line position in college. Of course we know that differences in body types can result in longer or shorter wingspans and ability to build shoulder, hip, and power zone (between hips and knees) muscle, and I can’t speak to how that’s going to go with Raulerson, but I think he could very likely be a college tackle.

Here’s a picture of him (excuse the awful t-shirt—it was the best head-to-toe shot0:

Now here’s a visual comparison:

Bryan Bulaga is a great example of an outstanding college tackle who fell to the late-1st due to frame (primarily short arms). Despite the knock, he started as a rookie and made the all-rookie team. He’s playing RT now, but he did play LT in Clifton’s stead until Green Bay took Sherrod in the first round. I bring him up because he kind of illustrates how slight imperfections can be fudged a little at the college level.

You can see there are physical differences between the guys in those two pictures. For starters, about four years, an inch of height, and 60-80lbs. But that picture of a corn-fed Bulaga is also after four years in Iowa’s excellent weight program, which Wylie may be able to replicate. I have no idea whether Bulaga went to the Army or Under Armour combine coming out of high school, so I have no idea how accurate the 270lbs. weight is on his original HS recruiting profile. Obviously we wouldn’t want to see Raulerson playing RT at 265lbs., but if he can crank up to that 300lbs. range, he could be an absolutely elite run-blocker.

Of course there’d be nothing wrong with having an elite run-blocking TE who plays at 260lbs., but I think most of us hope Raulerson will have a much bigger impact than that. But IMO that looks like his floor, and he could be employed for a very long time in the NFL on that merit alone.

Which side of the line?

I know that in hs so far he has played RT, but his QB is also left handed… any thoughts out there of him switching sides in college, if he does indeed gain weight and stick with the o line.

I think the main issue is putting him on the face side, not blind side
Had the same reaction

Outstanding blocking technique. He’s such a natural athlete, there’s no telling where he’ll wind up playing.

I have to say, the prospect of a monster TE who can block like that is tempting, especially if we’ve got so many “true” guards and tackles he can’t displace them.

OR…

Lined up at DE opposite Torshiro Davis. Pick your poison, opposing offense.

OR…

BOTH???

Video

Wow, great addition. Very interesting to hear.

Great get

The Texas recruiting machine never stops. It slows down between the June camps and Fall Camp, but it never stops.

Raulerson has compared to JJ Watt, most notably by Eric Nahlin. I completely agree. I can see Raulerson growing into a 280+ pound NFL ready 5 technique by his senior season.

I think Raulerson growing into an OT is less likely.

agreed

6-5 250 growing into OT just doesn’t happen.

And we’d have to really really be needing an OG to remove a playmaker from DE, or 5tech.

Per Raulerson's father, Jake will be an early enrollee

An entire spring and summer with Bennie before the 2013 season. Good Gawd. Get ready.

Oh buddy

I wasn’t aware of that. Dang that is sick. He’ll probably be the spring enrollee I’m most excited about. Guy who has the skills and drive to compete as a true frosh, but still needs to add mass. Perfect spring enrollee. Damn that’s great news.

I think Maulerson will push HARD for a starting DE spot as a freshman
Definitely possible

Oak and most likely JJ will be gone.

There's good depth on the roster at DE

Texas should be extremely selective with the next DE offer.

I like that a lot

A true leader. And look at his dad’s arms. Talk about buff.

THIS^

You think he has any college eligibility left? The man is ripped, yikes! Hope those genetics were passed along.

No kidding

I was trying to figure out if that was just a coach or what. Did his dad play ball anywhere? He looks like a haus.

scary

To think how Raulerson will look like post Wylie. He will be an absolute beast with a motor like he has. Wow just Wow

ditto to GoBR

you are a pro class journalist

so much talk of him being a great OL

I don’t think u cannot ever have enough good lineman in a run first offense. We got a quick pass fishers in the last class. Idk either way I’m sure Mack will make the right move.

Gotta love

those pass fishers and those run hunters

tyron swoopes

is going to Oklahoma JD this weekend. im pretty sure they will offer him do u think he could commit or will we get to see him at our JD?

No way

He’ll definitely get to UT’s JD as a non-commit.

Stop it!

We don’t need that kind of language around here. Clean it up, mister!

Yippeee

Raulerson is going to be a leader and will be our player/recruiter. Smart, smart move.

Any idea on who recruit #2 will be?
Robert Nkemdiche

Does anyone think Texas will go afther him

Would like to see it

With Searels’ ties to Georgia.

Not sure.

But I have heard that he is an Alabama lean. Why not, though? Might as well try.

We have Sec ties at Texas

With Manny,Bo,Stacy we should at least send out a junior day invite right

Position Debate

is fun, but very premature. Lots of time until that decision needs to be made. He will develop this year, and it will likely work itself out.

Love this get though. Leadership skills and motor are rare qualities in a player this talented and genetically blessed.

That's where I'm at too

I’d like to see how he fills out during the spring and summer then guess where he ends up. Either way, this kid is a leader and hard worker. Never turn down those qualities.

Alabama and Texas

are stocking themselves up for some serious battles down the road.

Both on & off the field, I'm sure you mean.
I hope

That we beat the crap out of them. Like 283-0. Or, more realistically (thinking about the AWESOME sec defenses here people) a blowout score of 12-0, give or take a fg.

Like SwimTexas said,

Lots and lots of time to figure out where he’s gonna be, but if he wants to play OT he needs to start eating.

Just Curious

If Rauler early enrolls and goes to 2013 spring practice, won’t M Walters still be with us? I think I might pay to see a little mano a mano from that action. Obligatory that Searels and Davis be hovering over and barking instruction. Who’s in?

Case is getting seriously nervous & stressed about this.
2013 slogan

Texas Raul or Die?

As Wrangler 86 said above

Take another look at his dad’s arms. The question is not how much Jake can grow. The question is: does his dad still have any college eligibility? He looks like someone you want on your side when you walk into a dark alley.

Is that his dad with the huge arms?

Or is that his brother? Maybe his dad on the other side in the jacket?

Either way, I love that he bleeds burnt orange. I wish him the best and can’t wait to see him on the field. And, while I appreciate the fact that he is a leader and ready to step up and be the “bell cow” for this recruiting class like Connor Brewer & co. did last year, I hope his job is made easier by the coaches keepnig their eyes on the ball.

Can someone post this pic again, pn govt internet and can't see the dad's arms pic.
No problem. It's surprising how much he doesn't look like his father.

Did you see how mad he got when the phone went off?


Ha!Love it. He’s got a mean streak.

i think that it was more an embarrassing "oh god please no. damn it" kinda thing

picture makes him look like hes about to break the table though

Hey, I get that mad like that at my phone several times a day.

Thing is, I can’t rip it in half like Jake probably can.

It was a dammit moment
Even though

I’m mostly glad to be rid of them, I’m kind of sad that we won’t get to watch Maulerson and Santos beat the shit outta aggy. Would’ve been a thing of beauty

They will still do it

The psychological warfare of winning the NC by beating Alabama (who will have killed them by 30 plus points) will be plenty satisfying.

You're assuming that an undefeated Texas team is going to jump a 2-loss LSU team?

No, I don’t think so. The $EC is king, & don’t you forget it boy!

Mack the closer...

Love Macks sales technique. Asked Mauler why he decided to choose Texas. Jake reiterates why he chose while at the same time further confirming in his own mind. Then the final reminder to tell the other schools to stop bothering him. Love it!

On lookin good...

Seems like all our OL have looked good in high school, even the 2005-2009 classes.

What I like about this kid is his kick-ass attitude.

Good Job Mack...

…I loved this kids film! Nice and NASTY!!!

You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Burnt Orange Nation to post a comment.