Recruiting Notebook - 11/19/14

We start in Central Texas with a few stops then head back to the Metroplex in search of some of the top junior and senior Texas targets in this edition of the Recruiting Notebook.

 

Kendell Jones, DT – Killeen Shoemaker (2016)

HUDL: Jones’ 2014 junior highlights

How he fits at Texas: The Hulk is pretty much a strictly downhill player, or you might say uphill since he’s always looking to power through or swim past blocks to get into the backfield in a straight line. With a little more technique and lower pads his explosive power will make him a great 2-gap player that probably fits best at nose tackle. He doesn’t have much range outside of the box but between the tackles he’ll be a load. – Ian Boyd

Coach Says: This kid looks like a million bucks. When your team gets of the bus, you want him leading the way, may not be a better looking prospect in the class. As far as his play goes, you can tell he is still raw technique wise. When he puts it all together on a play he is dominant, but that comes in flashes. He is going to have to learn to consistently play with a lower pad level, playing high gets him blocked at times. He seems to like using an arm over move a lot, I don’t mind him using it, but he tends to overuse it and he gets caught sometimes.

How this affects Texas: Jones is likely one of two top DT targets (Spring Westfield’s Ed Oliver the other) in Texas for the Class of 2016 and the Longhorns. And for good reason. Jones at 6-foot-5, 315 pounds, and runs a 4.9 40-yard dash, is a man child that basically dominates at the high school level. He’s already amassed tons of major offers – Texas, LSU, OU, Miami, and Michigan among others. Baylor and Texas A&M have identified him as a ‘must-have’. No kidding. He’s got 5-star written all over him. He could be a difference maker in the Texas C/0 2016 and is said to have interest in Charlie Strong and UT. With the Horns losing Malcom Brown, Hassan Ridgeway, and Tank Jackson after next season, Jones will be a ‘must-get’ in the eyes of the Texas faithful. He’s already seen the campus in Austin four times since Strong took over. After Shoemaker got knocked out of the playoffs last week by Texas commit Charles Omenihu and Rowlett, 33-6, (he tells Inside Texas they have a lot of talent coming back next season) he’s on to powerlifting and track this spring. Not a better way to stay functionally fit, IMO. – Justin Wells

 

Chase Harrell, WR/TE – Huffman-Hargrave (2015)

HUDL: Harrell’s senior highlights

How he fits at Texas: Harrell’s hands, size, and fluidity make him a fantastic inside receiver who could do a great deal of damage in Watson’s seam routes. The question is how much good weight he can add and how he adapts to blocking. He’s probably best as a TE, rather than an H-back, where he can get going into the seam. – IB

Coach Says: Watching this kid’s senior film and I am trying to figure out how he hasn’t pulled in some more offers. I like him as either a receiver or as a flex tight end if he adds more weight once he gets on campus. He moves really well for his size and display great high point ability and body control. Only thing about converting him to a TE will be learning how to block, converted WRs often struggle with that aspect. I can see some of the big boys possibly circling back around to him late if they strike out with some others, Houston better pray they forget about him.

How this affects Texas: Texas needs tight ends. This has been a problem on the 40 Acres basically since Blaine Irby’s horrifying knee injury in 2008. Harrell has H-back, tight end potential at 6-foot-4, 205 lbs. He’s currently committed to Houston and tells Inside Texas he’s happy being pledged to the Cougars. But he’s still taking trips. He took an unofficial to Texas A&M last month and still hears from UT and Georgia. With his talent and upside, this is no surprise. If UT strikes out on a few of its top TE targets, I think Harrell should get a call. He entered 2014 with 22 career TDs so he can find the endzone. The multi-sport star with outstanding speed and hands (excels in football, basketball, and track) could certainly help out the TE situation in Austin. I mean it’s been six years now. – JW

 

Antoine Stephens, CB – Dallas Kimball (2015)

HUDL: Stephens’ senior highlights

How he fits at Texas: This kid is big, long, and physical. He also knows how to play zone and routinely makes reads and plays that require a major understanding of route patterns and some quickness. He’ll need that technique and physicality if he sticks at corner given his 4.6 speed and might be a better fit at nickel where his awareness and football IQ is essential. – IB

Coach Says: This kid is physical. Whether it is in bump-and-run against a receiver or coming down to lay the wood on a ball carrier, this kid is going to put his hands on you and play behind his pads. Not sure what his speed look likes on a stopwatch, but the play on his tape when he walks down a receiver who had broke down the sideline was pretty damn impressive. This kid is a ball hawk and is great at finding the ball when it is in the air. Throw it anywhere near him and it is probably getting picked or batted down. With his size and speed, I’m surprised he hasn’t got more exposure. May change soon.

How this affects Texas: Every season, you have your late-bloomers. Prospects that go under the radar recruiting wise, then blossom during their senior campaigns. Enter Stephens. The long, rangy Dallas Kimball corner has made his presence known in 2014. His seven interceptions put him in the Top 10 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area leaders. He’s taken unofficials to Texas and Oklahoma State and hopes to see that increase at the end of the year. At 6-foot-2, he’s your new age cover corner who could excel in a zone scheme. I think UT nets two or three more cornerbacks in this class and could see Stephens as an ideal fit at nickel in a Strong-Bedford defensive scheme. – JW

 

Soso Jamabo, RB – Plano West (2015)

HUDL: Jamabo’s senior highlights

How he fits at Texas: Jamabo is from the DeMarco Murray school of backs, a long but speedy player who excels when setting up defenders before using his long strides and then fantastic acceleration to pull away. It’d be easy enough to set him up with creases and opportunities in the Wickline zone schemes. He’d be a featured part of most any offense. – IB

Coach Says: This kid is a very gifted athlete and he makes it look very easy on the football field. For his stature, he is pretty elusive and seems to find the creases. While he has put up some gaudy numbers this year, I worry about how he will translate to the next level. For a guy his size I wasn’t expecting him to embrace contact a little more. In college, the running lanes won’t be as wide as they are for him on tape so I want to see if he is able to get the tough yards in between the tackle. Personally, I like the Warren kid out of Rockwall better because I think he is more of a natural running back. I am curious to see what position he will stick at if running back doesn’t pan out.

How this affects Texas: When Strong took the job in Austin, his plan was to recruit big, strong tailbacks. After adding four in the C/O of 2015 already and being around the top for Chris Warren, you’d think UT would close up shop on RB. Think again. After an incredible senior campaign, it’s impossible to ignore Jamabo. He’s amassed almost 2400 total yards and 45 TDs. Not bad for a guy considered a tweener (LB or RB) up until last summer. He’s also dynamic on the hardwood. Just goes to show his athletic ability and fluidity. He’s got ideal size (6-foot-2.5, 210), great feet, balance, and that explosive element. Texas DL coach Chris Rumph stopped by his school yesterday to check on one of the top uncommitted kids in the 2015 class. He holds offers from UT, Oregon, Notre Dame, OU, and Texas A&M among others. He’s the type of talent you take regardless of numbers. A dream backfield of him and Chris Warren would be….dreamy. – JW

 

Braxton Webb, OT – San Angelo Central (2016)

HUDL: Webb’s junior highlights

How he fits at Texas: Webb is a very fundamentally strong tackle who’s already proficient in zone blocking and has quick feet and a fantastic frame. He’ll need a lot more time refining his kick step and pass sets but he’s pretty far overall, technique-wise for a junior. He should be an early target for the 2016 class. – IB

Coach Says: I really like this kid. He plays the game with a nasty disposition and he plays hard through the whistle and even a little bit after. He’s a finisher, if he gets locked up on you, prepare to get taken for a ride and to eat some turf on the tail end of it. He is going to be the kind of guy you love having on your side because he won’t get punked and get under the skin of his opponents. Moves well and seems pretty coordinated, does a good job at positioning himself on blocks and setting the edge. Does a great job of navigating to the second level and cutting down backers, not an easy thing for a big fella. Does a good job pass setting, but needs to learn to not give up so much ground to the defender.

How this affects Texas: Texas needs offensive lineman in the worst way. They’ve got seven already for 2015 and could add a few more. And despite the numbers, I can see UT taking two tackles from this junior class. At 6-foot-5, 270, Webb would be a bookend tackle, probably on the right side. UT is interested in Webb and vice versa. He’s taken two unofficials to Austin already and is going to try to hit the Thanksgiving game vs TCU. Texas Tech (he’ll visit Lubbock this weekend) and Arkansas have also picked up their Webb interest, who should only see his profile bloom with more experience and exposure. His team, San Angelo Central, is coming off a 1st round win over Arlington Bowie and are getting ready for Lubbock Monterey this Friday in Midland. One of the reasons the Longhorns have peaked Webb’s interest; Joe Wickline, “(Wickline) is the best,” Webb told Inside Texas. We agree. – JW