I beg the virtue of the powers that be the BON and hope I am not over reaching my privilege of posting here, but this is very troublesome to me. I am not so naive to think this stuff has never happened before, but this is the first time it's hit so close to home.

There is a rumbling beneath the surface of how much "street agent/handler " influence is taking hold in the southeast Texas high school recruiting landscape. Recent and current events smack of "handler" influence. The bar seems to be on the move in places never thought possible. The innocence of high school amateur sport is under siege by parties seeking a stake in the game. The culprit is usually of the predatory sense and preys on kids with a troubled past , broken home, and who consistently posses amazingly predictable raw athletic talent. Kids are "taken in" and cared for. The funny thing in this instance however, is it isn't just regular kids, it's usually very talented athletes. I've seen "The Blindside" and see Michael Oher's situation very different in the fact that he was a one time event in the life of the Touhy's. This is a very different scenario as a pattern's evident and not only affects the kid involved, but in fact branches out to other kids throughout a community or region.

Sources report a couple of recent and current recruits in the southeast region of the state to be affiliated with an experienced and well versed "handler". I can only say I know who they speak of and can verify enough certain and pertain-able facts first hand. The situation is getting cancerous and has effected recent decisions in the 2011 class and seriously threaten certain long time loyal prospects for the 2012 class.

This "handler" has put several D1 players in NC caliber programs over the years in neighboring states, and has as recently as the past two to three years encroached on Texas. The sudden and unexplainable turn in certain recruits decisions re; visits, verbals, and signings are all indicative.  The m.o. has been to move into a rural/urban area, engage high level talent through their peers, and find their mark. The usual amount of time in any given area is about 2-3 years before the covers are blown back and the need to move to new virgin territory is eminent.

I will not name names, but trust this...high school coaches need to beware of these types and be very careful of how these roaches can infest a team, a community, and worst of all the ulitmate life choice manner in which these kids are guided. The sad thing I see happening in this particular case is how a highly regarded and respected highschool football tradition is in serious danger of sliding down a very slippery slope. Let me say that I believe the coaches have the best intentions for their kids, but they really need to take on the role of protector and trusted advisor when this kind of stuff rises up.

I wonder if I'm just too old fashioned or is there a new normal? Is this the age we're really in? Is the "handler" now the new way of the wild?

Boards reporting all over that Jerry Gray has announced at the Longhorn Foundation luncheon he is moving from Seattle to Austin when asked in public by people at the event. He was asked specifically if he was going to Nashville and he said "no".

Now we can see how awesome this hire can truly be. I can't imagine any DB recruit not wanting to play for this man and these 'HORNS! Hook 'em.

Can't wait to see this defense hit the 40 next fall and greatly anticipating a high flying offense to boot.

In the words of the immortal one. "We'll Be Back"!!!

Oh my, Oh my, Oh my!

 Check out the Feb 27th practice highlights.

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Woodlands RB Daniel Lasco Class of 2011 (via TexasPreps)

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Is this source credible?

USC headed for 2 year probation with no TV.

Texas Moves to Big 10 In 2012... Announcement Pending

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You may have read this headline and chuckled. Can't blame ya', but it really happened. I'm not so sure this was a subliminal rebuttal to the account of Meyer's reported dreamy dialogue with Sharrif Floyd or just plain something else. I didn't have pizza for dinner. I haven't taken any hallucinogens since reading an article of the RB from Temple's visit at Auburn, (I'm more careful of what I read now), and I had nothing to drink. This is totally random.

Disclaimer. I see here where Floyd vehemently denies having ever said anything about a dream that Urban Meyer had or any such discussion he had with Meyer. The story reportedly started with a posting on a Ohio State Website.

"It came from the [Ohio State] Buckeye Web site, and then it got to the South Carolina Web site," Floyd said.

The Web sites focusing on recruiting became another inescapable part of the rigmarole.

End Disclaimer.

We all know how the recruiting battles can get fugly, and it seems to have gone viral in the age of electronic information. We must all be very careful with the information we post or receive and discern the sources accordingly. Thanks to the BON for exemplary discipline in that regard.

I have had dreams before that have come true, as I'm sure most of you have. Please know that I wish no ill will toward UF or Urban Meyer. The dream is what it is. I have learned that sometimes they can be symbolic more than factual, but have at times experienced both.

Here's the dream. I saw part of Gainseville and then more specifically part of the UF campus falling into a sinkhole. I felt the sense of imploding or a caving in on itself. You know how you know things in a dream, but aren't sure how or why you know it? It was like that. I wasn't trying to think of anything and don't really have any inkling of why I would even consider any thoughts of Florida at all. Anyway, it was a huge hole and buildings were falling in like you might see during a mudslide in California. Meyer was at the rim watching it all go down, but had no control over what was happening and was helpless as he watched it.

Could be nothing at all, but thought I would share.

So there you go. Time will tell.

I wish we could find a pub for all BONizers to gather and celebrate, regurgitate, and inebriate (libations or just pure glee) over this recruiting year. It's never boring to be a Horns fan and this year has been as fun as any since the MNC in '05.

Let me just say thank you to coach Brown, Coach Boom, and the entire staff for all the hard work and effort put out each and every day. We love you guys & gals! Thank you!

Jeffcoat and Hicks aside, is Wilson, Bible, Dorsey, Davis & White (post UA game) fairly rated? How about Espinosa as a mere 4 star? Here we go again with the star thing, but the scoring seems out of round. I think more so for Davis, White. Wilson, and Bible. To my understanding a 5 star player is one who is able to come in and start with significant contribution on a D-1 college team.  

Mike Davis showed the most consistant ability and big play moxie by beating the heralded (5 star) Florida kid in the end zone for a TD and excelled above the best competition in the country in Oralando. His Senior campaign consistanty proved his playmaking ability game after game especially during his playoff run in big games with everything on the line.

Darius White showed up at the UA game ready to go and busted the big play punt return as well as showing physical supremacy with the blockout route at the goal line for a TD against another 5 star defender. His senior year wasn't stellar and his camp in FLorida early in the year may have hurt him, but the end result is a playmaking ability in big situations on the biggest of stages. 

Whatever the ratings say I like our class this year. Very classy guys and pure leaders. This is another plateau for our program and we are now at the place where we will be in the top 3 programs in the country year in and year out. Boom has busted through as a threat on the national recruiting scene and the press to follow over the next couple of days will be huge. Man I can't wait to see these guys come in for their first day on campus as a Longhorn. Will Hicks or Jeffcaot early enroll?

 I look for a huge year next year and truly hope we come out smashing all naysayers.

Let's get 'em all in ink and let the herd rumble! Hook 'Em

.  

Check this article from Alabama. Is Stoops desperate or what? Is this a Saban phsyche attempt? I don't think I've ever heard of this before. A rival coach going to an opposing teams practice to learn how to run a better practice session? Especially 2 weeks before a national champoionship game. What is Stoops really up to? We all know that nothing is as it appears with him and we also know how they defended us at the RRR. What's up? Do we even concern ourselves with it? It is a bit amusing honestly.

Whatever the case it sure smells and I think Stoops is really desperate to find anyway he can to beat Muschamp. He has never won a game against a Muschamp defense and I think he's grabbing for straws. Doesn't ou have a bowl game to prepare for this year?  Oh yes, I remember, it's the Brut Sun Bowl against Stanford. Does Saban have some sort of inside track to the Stanford game plan that would particularly interest Stoops?

This smells like a sulphur sespool. Or is it just Stoops?

We know Darius White and Jackson Jeffcoat were in town and some "NON-PAY" boards had posted a "Mystery Recruit" coming in as well. I always look to the BON on any such ramblings for authenticity. So far all has been mum.

All I'm seeing on the BON right now is what we already know. The Aggies are holding their swords preparing to aggravate and assault the cheerleaders in fear of the eminent invasion at Kyle Field. The only thing coming out of it's sheath so far have been wannabe yell leaders posting the traditional nonsense. The game has not sold out from Aggie fans. Could it be that another in state Burnt Orange deluge falls on an opposing venue? I can hear the chants now Slocum, Slocum, Slocum, Slocum, Slocum.

A reprieve is called for. Give me some recruting juice. The most noted guess on the mystery recruit has been in the direction of Mike Davis a current LSU commit and stud receiver. All kind of arguments arise about another receiver, but the most evident denotes the available scholarship vacated by Ross Apo. Darius White and Cobbs were in the mix when that went down, so it;s not like the staff is taking a positional scholly away to make a Davis thing happen.
That could also make the Cobbs positional decision easier if Darius comes as well as Davis. Cobbs would then seemingly go to defense.

This post from ESPN shows his performance in the state playoffs this weekend. Guess what? He was matched up against Adrian White.

Mike Davis, WR (Dallas/Skyline)
Stars: four | Scouts grade: 82
ESPNU 150 rank (position rank): 55 (10)
LSU-bound wideout Mike Davis had 263 yards receiving -- scoring on plays of 74, 71 and 57 yards -- for Skyline (Dallas) in its 41-36 victory over DeSoto (Texas), according to the Dallas Morning News.

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Floyd Casey must have been buried at sunset to earn such a burnt orange visage last Saturday. This game was over at the coin toss leaving only the expectant delicacies of highlights to be teasing our BONickle palate. I don't know about you, but I have grown to expect a spectacular play on each series of downs and have been rarely left wanting. Thanks to Shaggy Bevo for the looks.

Here's the Video

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Listen to this podcast from Inside Texas. No purchase necessary.

The recruiting season is still alive and well with this weeks visits of Jeffcoat and Darius White. There are supposed to be some key 2011 prospects at DKR again as well.

 It should be a not so "Silent Night" and a KU beatdown will bring "Joy To The (Jerry) World". But "Jingle Bells" are ringing as we ready for the prospect of this years recruiting class. 

So Dear Santa,

After we win the Big XII and the MNC

Here's my recruiting Christmas list for 2010 and somethings for you to be thinking about for 2011. I have been a very, very, good boy this year trying to follow our role model QB. Sally will have plenty of homemade cookies and milk for you when you come to my house. I moved to Balcones Drive in, just in case you didn't know.

I know you've seen how naughty those guys have been at ou and USC and you aren't very happy with them, so you can just put their presents under our tree this year so you won't have to carry all that stuff around and wear out your reindeer. Don't even bother going to atm because they don't even know what to do with presents they get anyway.

Love your favorite coach,

Mack

2010

1. Jordan Hicks

2. Jackson Jeffcoat

3. Darius White

4. Return all Defensive Backfield

5. Sign all current commits

2011 Wish List

1. Herschel Sims

2. Chris Barnett

3. Miles Onyegbule

4. Desmond Jackson

5. Leroy Scott

6. Kolby Griffin

7. Sheroid Evans

8. Spencer Drango

9. Malcolm Brown

10. Trey Metoyer

11.P.L. Lindley

Has anyone seen or heard anything on other 2011 prospects you would like to add to our list? I didn' t pick  Aaron Green because I have pretty much written him off as a NU commit.

Malcolm Williams finds his way on this poll almost every week and this one is no different. This week again brings a new candidate to the balllot as Antwan Cobb makes a colassol tackle on  the kick return team.

This Defense is the most fun group to watch I can remember at Texas. There's been some great ones to come through, but these guys have me expecting havoc on every down. The MNC would definitely be the crown fitting for such a hard working bunch of guys.

Here's the video

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Sound the trumpet, pay it forward, and send this link to 10 of your closest friends for a free flashback.

Reminder

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This week has big plays and key tackles in open space. We don't really have the slobber knockers we've seen over the past few weeks, but there are some amazing athletic plays on the board. A new name makes the list this week and I think we'll definitley come away with a consesus.

A few notes:

       Kenny Vaccaro didn't have a highlight hit but probably had the best game of the year for him. If his level of play on special teams conitnues, I think we'll see him making more of an appearance in the defensive backfield, especially where physical run support is needed.

       Gotta love the Curtis Brown explosion. Our D-Backs are amazing. You can see the level of maturity and confidence going through the entire group of guys. Each pic could be the biggest hit, especially when they go for 6.

        Our Linebacking Corps are phenomenal to watch. Muck is a mad man this year, Robinson is extremely dependable, Emmanuel Acho is getting freaky, and Sergio defys the laws of physics. The pic 6 by Curtis Brown was led 77 yards downfield by Sergio and Robinson both running in front of a full speed defensive back. Amazing athletes.

        In case you haven't noticed we have some studs on this team. You can see the conifdence building week to week and there is no let up in intensity. Guys are flying to the ball and absolutely bringing it on every snap. I love these guys and the effort they are giving us all deserves our full support. Come early, be loud, and stay late. Beat UCF.   

Let's get to the vote.

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Horns blowout wins are fun and we have seen the past two road games come under the dominance of our defense and a revived onslaught of our offense. The recent success is bringing to light some concerns though.

We have a very talented 5 star recruit watching Colt tear up the Big XII record books and rightfully waiting his turn. The problem however exists when you take a winner and competitor like Gilbert and put him in a situation designed for mediocrity at best. The mandate is to run out the clock, keep the ball, and don't make a mistake. You are then given play calls for runs straight in to the teeth of eight man fronts with safeties no deeper than 7 yards off the ball. You are doing this with a 2nd or 3rd team offensive line and cold running backs. The inevitable no gains leave you third and long. You are then asked to complete a pass to cold receivers who attempt to catch your pass with their facemask instead of their hands, or who feel it's not necessary to stretch or jump for a ball that you are forced to throw over a linebacker yet underneath a safety while being blitzed again.

Such is the role of a mop-up duty, but is it the best way to groom your back up QB and up & comer? It seems to me that you would want to put him in real game time situations with a chance to perform with the first unit for at least one or two series of downs. This has not been the case for Garrett Gilbert. Would it tarnish the image of mercy on a beaten opponent to put in your true freshman QB for some legitimate snaps?

I like all that is Texas right now as I jump, shout, and fist pump every highlight. This is just a thought that I could only vent with my dearest of pundits here at the BON. We are on a roll and I am on board. We are at the level now where we look for ways to improve our situation and better ourselves for things that we will face in the future, hence the question. Should we give the mop to someone else, or change the model?  

I have very mixed feelings here. The Titans are more the Titanics this year and now Adams wants to give the reins to Vince. The first concern is the mandate part of it. It's not Fisher's idea so will VY have the full emotional and intellectual effort and support from the staff? Secondly, I was hoping for Vince to get as far from Nashville as possible next year in a trade.

Here's the link...what do you think? Is this good for Vince, or a trap?

Week 7 has come and gone. A virtual 30 minute expose of all things that are possible broke loose this past Saturday as we watched a reincarnate McCoy make a triumphant return to his other worldly abilities. Three possessions with three TD's is not a bad start by any estimation.

There were more big plays than hard hits in this one, but we do have a couple to snack on until Stillwater. I was a little gorged from last weeks ou highlights anyway (not really).

We ended up with a tie last week and I will be posting a runoff with the top two vote getters to determine a clear winner.

Let's go to this weeks video to vote the Mizzou BON Hit Award Week 7

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This one popped from the first whistle. There were so many huge physical plays and highlights. The ones posted here are for the vote. I think this game is a catalyst for this years team. They needed this one for many reasons. To wake up the staff to open up the offense, and to loosen up the D backs for pics. I think they are really starting to see the opportunity  increase with the QB pressures being generated this year.

The Shaggy Bevo brings some great views. I like the music selection for this one as well. You can really see the 4th quarter had ou sucking wind. The body language just wreaked with surrender after a couple of runs and back breaking first downs, so let's just get straight get to it.

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New names on the ballot? I was watching the game against CU and it seemed a bit surreal. We had a bye week prior to his one and the visions of a 60 point game loomed inevidable. Our most recent subliminal reflections on the myriad of big plays and highlights from UTEP were still reeling in the theatre of my Burnt Orange mind. Then somehow we were down 14-3 with 2 minutes left in the 2nd quarter to a team who was blown up by Toledo.  If you were anything like me at that point, then you were probably looking more closely for our offense somehow crossing the goal line than for big hits. I must confess that even after the game I could not recall one single hit that stood out, but after reviewing the replays, there are some snap, crackle, and pop we can feast on. I included a good crunch as well.

I have also been looking each week for some kind of O-line pancake or blowup and as tough as their day was, one finally makes the poll. In fact 2 blocks make it, but only one from the O-line.

I did want to preclude with one personal note to the evening. I deleted this one below because it was not in context with the post, but submit it for your critique. It was more about telling the story of my own frustration with play calling and 0-line run performance.

Fozzie on C Tan's backside at the 7:12 mark, then dis's GD's play call, then takes out pylon?

 Click on the highlight below. Thanks Shaggy Bevo. Enjoy.

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On paper this CU win files in as a W and I'm glad we got it. F is for Fun as in special teams play and finally a pic 6 for the D. Earl Thomas hit one for the ages and it was a back breaking momentum swing. It was also Colt's redeeming grace. 

Ugly is for ugly. Where do we place the tag? What happened to GD's "Wow Factor" in Tre` Newton? Was he hurt or in some type of trouble? Maybe he had the flu? If not any of these, then where was he? I don't want to be dogmatic, but the play calling was so telegraphed I thought GD had joined the Western Union.

Fugly as it was, it's the type of win that champions need to be champions.  The defense is our strength right now and I think the continual shift of personnel is our weakness. We have almost a completely new cast at the skill positions each week. Maybe the same names, but shifting positions or roles is getting a bit worrisome for me. There seems to be no continuity or flow with this offensive unit right now. Is it just me, or does 64 points and nearly 600 yards not suffice? If it's not broke, then why fix it? I know CU is a much better defense than UTEP, but why on earth mess with a good thing? Where was Newton? Where was Williams?

Shipley for Heisman anyone? The man is the man. What was his total yardage for the night? It had to be over 200 yards. Goodwin's blocked punt, Earl's pic 6, and Ships PR gave us 21 points. It's the type of win in one sense we needed, as there should be a lot of attention paid to details for the O this next week in practice, while the D unit solidifies.

I hope Hicks had fun and look forward to hearing how his visit went. He had to be impressed with the defensive scheme and total shutdown after the 1st quarter. Big plays from the outside LB's should have caught his eye.

I'll take the Fugly, but how do we dress her up from here?  

Okay, last one here to catch up. Week 4 has more highlights than the Christmas tree at Zilker park. Total domination by the D. I don't think we'll really see how special this perfomance was until UTEP knocks off a couple more notables with their offensive fireworks ala Houston. A couple more TD shutouts, or sub 100 yards allowed by the Horns and you would have to think the BCS power rankings could take on a new shine.

Let's go with it.

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At risk of redundancy we need to catch up with the schedule. Let's just get straight in to Week 3.

The Tech game brought a certain degree of intrepidation with the pirates trolling the waters around DKR and as we remember, it just happened to be on National Pirate Day. Weird.

One play, in our last meeting at Lubbock, caused a media screen burn for nearly a whole year. That my BON fellows, was erased, displaced, and abased this one September eve with Herbstreit and Musburger in tow. Yes folks, it happened on Game Day. Thousands of Longhorns around the globe broke out in simultaneous fanatical climax as our beloved 5 star recruit made his indelible mark on a our 40 Acre canvass made of gridiron. Yes we love him, on film, in text, complex and all, Sergio was found, and he is our guy. The mantra "where's Sergio" was answered so loudly in the earhole of the Marlboro Man that his helmet spun in echo on the new pseudoturf . "Thank God his head was not in still in it" remarked one postmate. Said recipient then stumbled off the field appearing a bit blurred and crosseyed only to discover his contacts were knocked out of his peepers. Visions of grandeur went amply crushed beneath the feet of defensive onslaught. Don't chuckle Horn fans. It's not politically correct when only a belly roll laugh would render the proper dosage. This was the pad popper of the year to date and we applaud you Marlboro Man. You left with our respect and admiration for true grit, however our salute goes to our own beloved gladiator.

The biggest competition in Week 3 may end up being which camera angle had the best look, however, there are a few other snot knockers which may have won on any other night and are worthy of review, so here we go.

Please vote your honest opinion and disregard any perceived bias obvious or otherwise.... :)

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The Week 1 voting reveals a close race between the Ben Wells hit on Sapp and surprisingly enough the hit on the crease by DJ Monroe for the TD kick return. Ben holds the slight lead.

While the Wells hit is more in line with the true nature of the post, the Monroe play is just too sweet to pass up. I think most of us popped the reflexive bugeye as DJ hit the seam in full throttle. 101,000 fans go Richter as the ULM kicker suffers sudden loss of sphincter. A quiver move to the left, turbo step to the right, and DJ outruns Monroe to the endzone. A beautiful piece of tapestry now hangs upon our wall of highlight memorabilia. Thanks for Week 1 Horns.

So on to Week 2. The pregame prelude of 8000 feet, A rowdy UTEPish home crowd of range ridden Cowboys, and a freaky scary Mack Brown wake up call had me thinking more NLS than BCS. Mack has a way of making Mary Had a Little Lamb sound more like Fe, Fi, Fo, Fum when it comes to pregame analysis on upcoming opponents. Can't argue with him'cuz it get's us all ready and alert. Our beloved bovine came out charging on D and served up some feasty fanbits, so thanks once again to Shaggy Bevo for the vids and off we go.

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I am so impressed with the depth and aptitude of data found here on the BON and thought it apropos to submit a motion to the powers that be for a Weekly BON Hit Award. There's no "G" in BON "G", so don't get distracted. :)

We have seen some colossal hits each week and like the Hard Hat award given by the team, how about coming up with our own Burnt Orange Nation version where each week you get to contribute a vote to the biggest hit, and at the end of the year, vote for the biggest hit of the year? I realize how subjective we can get, but that's why each one of us would get to either vote on the posted polls, or submit your own entry with video support. Off field printed versions would be excluded and the hit must occur on the football playing field (Gregory Gym doesn't count...jk KV)  during a game.

We have some catching up to do. Here's Week 1 with ULM. I will post Tech and UTEP tomorrow and Friday respectively to catch up making us current for the CU game.

Which play of the ones submitted with video support was the game changer, momentum swing, or key moment?

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