Message-ID: <30687517.1075857350682.JavaMail.evans@thyme> Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2000 03:31:00 -0700 (PDT) From: truorange@aol.com To: truorange@aol.com Subject: True Orange, August 28, 2000, Part 2 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ANSI_X3.4-1968 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable X-From: TruOrange@aol.com X-To: TruOrange@aol.com X-cc: X-bcc: X-Folder: \Clint_Dean_Dec2000\Notes Folders\Info X-Origin: Dean-C X-FileName: cdean.nsf The Blue Chips Here's my updated list of the top Texas football recruits. I have inserted = * * * * at each position to separate the Fabulous 40 from the rest of the Eli= te 80. The Elite 80 Recruits Quarterback (6) Matt Nordgren, 6-5, 225, 4.7, Dallas Bishop Lynch (UT, A&M, Colo, Fla) Jason Carter, 5-11, 180, 4.5, Caldwell (A&M Commitment) * * * * Mike Pankratz, 6-3, 200, 4.8, Katy Taylor (A&M, UCLA, OU, KSU, ND) Davon Vinson, 6-3, 185, 4.5, Kilgore (A&M, Ark, OU, Bay) Tye Gunn, 6-4, 200, 4.62, La Grange (TCU Commitment) Kevin Ford, 6-0, 188, 4.5, Madisonville (Rice Commitment) Running Back (7) Cedric Benson, 5-11, 200, 4.5, Midland Lee (UT Commitment) David Underwood, 6-0, 220, 4.38, Madisonville (Michigan Commitment) Anthony Johnson, 5-11, 195, 4.4, Jefferson (KSU, UT, FSU, TCU, OU, LSU) Donta Hickson, 5-9, 180, 4.4, McKinney (FSU, Neb, A&M, OU, Mich, Tenn, TT) * * * * David Williams, 5-11, 180, 4.4, Carrollton Smith (FSU, A&M, Colo, OU, Mia) Anthony Evans, 5-9, 195, 4.5, Pearland (Bay, A&M, Az, KSU, UCLA) Cody Thibodeaux, 6-1, 200, 4.5, Winnie East Chambers (A&M, Neb, Ok St, LSU) Fullback (2) Darnell Sims, 6-2, 230, 4.7, Aldine (A&M, UH, LSU) * * * * Mark Pierce, 6-2, 215, 4.6, Weatherford (TCU Commitment) Tight End (1) James Moses, 6-3, 225, 4.7, GP North Shore (UT, A&M, Az, Mich, Colo) * * * * Wide Receiver (10) Armon Dorrough, 6-1, 168, 4.4, Lancaster (ND, Tenn, Mia, Fla, FSU, A&M) Brandon Jones, 6-3, 205, 4.4, Texark. Liberty-Eylau (Ky, Ark, A&M, FSU, UT) Bennie Brazell, 6-2, 168, 4.4, Houston Westbury (LSU, UCLA, Ark, Ky, LSU, M= ia) Thomson Omboga, 6-2, 175, 4.5, Grand Prairie (UT, OU, ND, Ga, A&M, Mo) Cedric Williams, 6-0, 170, 4.4, Jefferson (KSU, FSU, LSU, Neb, A&M, OU) Keith Mills, 5-11, 175, 4.4, Garland (A&M, UT, FSU, Fla, Ark, TT, OU) * * * * Terrence Thomas, 5-9, 175, 4.4, Houston Washington (Mia, FSU, UCLa, A&M, UH= ) Corey Roberts, 6-4, 190, 4.4, Carthage (LSU, A&M, SMU, TCU, UT) Jesse Woods, 6-4, 190, 4.5, Katy Taylor (A&M Commitment) Kenneth Shelton, 6-1, 175, 4.4, Port Arthur Jefferson (A&M, OU, TT, UT) Offensive Line (13) Jonathan Scott, 6-7, 290, 4.9, Dallas Carter (UT Commitment) Jami Hightower, 6-4, 295, 5.2, Jacksonville (UT, A&M, FSU, OSU, TCU) Ben Wilkerson, 6-4, 265, 4.9, Hemphill (A&M, Mich, ND, Neb, Ark, LSU, OU) Abe Robinson, 6-6, 270, 4.9, Jersey Village (UT Commitment) William Winston, 6-6, 330, 5.3, Houston Madison (A&M, UT, LSU, Mia, Syr) Mike Garcia, 6-5, 280, 5.2, Galena Park (UT Commitment) * * * * Will Allen, 6-5, 300, 5.2, Cypress Falls (UT Commitment) Terrance Young, 6-6, 330, 5.5, Longview (UT Commitment) Bryan Kegans, 6-6, 305, 5.2, Stephenville (Texas Tech Commitment Shane Simms, 6-2, 300, 4.9, Tomball (TCU Commitment) Roman Reeves, 6-6, 295, 5.2, Livingston (UT Commitment) E. J. Whitley, 6-5, 290, 5.3, Texas City (Kentucky Commitment) Clint O'Neal, 6-6, 290, 5.2, Weatherford (Colorado Commitment) Defensive End (8) Kevin Everett, 6-5, 235, 4.6, Port Arthur Jefferson (UT, ND, Colo, Pur, Mia= ) Lawrence Hooper, 6-4, 255, 4.7, Aldine (A&M, PSU, LSU, Colo, Fla, OSU, UCLA= ) Simeon Jones, 6-3, 240, 4.7, Houston Jones (A&M, UH, Colo, UT, Bay) Jamie Jackson, 6-3, 225, 4.7 Andrews (TT, OU, A&M, UT) McKenzie Tilmon, 6-3, 235, 4.7, Irving MacArthur (KSU, UT, A&M, Tenn) * * * * Colin Allred, 6-3, 225, 4.7, Dallas Hillcrest (UT, Neb, TT, TCU, Mich) Bret Rayl, 6-7, 265, 4.9, Lewisville (A&M, FSU, OU, PSU, TCU) Quintene Newhouse, 6-2, 250, 4.7, Emory Rains (A&M, Ky, Mich, UT, Bay, TCU) Defensive Tackle (7) Tommie Harris, 6-3, 280, 4.8, Killeen Ellison (UT, FSU, A&M, Mia, UCLA) Thomas Derricks, 6-1, 275, 4.9, Dallas Jesuit (PSU, ND, Neb, A&M, TCU) * * * * Clayton Harmon, 6-6, 260, 5.1, Stephenville (Texas Tech Commitment) Sharod McGowan, 6-2, 250, 4.7, Waco (A&M, UT, TT, NC, OU, NC) Brandon Goodlett, 6-2, 280, 5.1, Conroe (Ky, OU, Neb, UT) Jeremy Calahan, 6-3, 260, 5.0, Pflugerville (UT, ND, A&M, OSU, Stan, TCU, V= an) Fred Thwreat, 6-2, 270, 4.9, Midland Lee (TT, A&M, Az) Outside Linebacker (6) Derrick Johnson, 6-3, 205, 4.5, Waco (UT, FSU, A&M, OU, Ark, UCLA) Jonathon Jackson, 6-3, 225, 4.56, GP North Shore (UT, A&M, Mia, Colo, PSU) Lance McFarland, 6-1, 225, 4.6, Jefferson (UT, KSU, Ark, OU, FSU, LSU) * * * * Lee Foliaki, 6-2, 200, 4.5, Euless Trinity (A&M, UT, FSU, Neb, KSU, TCU) Shawn Willis 6-2, 215, 4.6, Flatonia (A&M, FSU, UT, Bay, TT) Inside Linebacker (2) Yamil Lebron, 6-2, 240, 4.7, Killeen Ellison (UT Commitment) * * * * Jeff Billings, 6-2, 232, 4.7, Pasadena Rayburn (A&M, Ky, Az, ASU, NW) Cornerback (7) Byron Jones, 5-10, 180, 4.4, Bay City (LSU, UCLA, A&M, NW, Ark, Ky) Cedric Griffin, 6-1, 180, 4.42, San Antonio Holmes (UT Commitment) Danielle Manning, 5-11, 187, 4.4, Corsicana (A&M, UT, TCU, La Tech) Moses Harris, 6-1, 170, 4.4, Dallas Carter (FSU, OU, Mia, TCU, Gramb) * * * * Dee Durham, 5-11, 174, 4.4, Mansfield (Colo, Mich, Mia, OSU, VT, UT) Warren Wilson, 6-0, 170, 4.4, Texas City (Pur, A&M, LSU, Ky, Az) Courtney Sterling, 5-7, 170, 4.4, Dallas Carter (Arizona State Commitment) Safety (5) Dewayne Brandon, 6-3, 198, 4.46, Temple (UT, Neb, FSU, A&M, Ky) Rufus Harris, 6-0, 180, 4.4, LaPorte (A&M, LSU, Az, Mia, Ky) * * * * Kendall Briles, 5-10, 175, 4.5, Wolfforth Frenship (UT Commitment) Jarvis Mayes, 6-2, 180, 4.45, Dallas Kimball (A&M Commitment) Jaxson Appel, 6-0, 190, 4.5, Friendswood (A&M Commitment) Athlete (6) Joseph Addai, 6-1, 195, 4.5, Hstn Sharpstown (KSU, UT, Neb, Kan, Mich, A&M) Quan Cosby, 5-10, 180, 4.4, Mart (UT, A&M, UCLA, FSU, Bay) Gainus Scott, 5-9, 170, 4.4, La Porte (FSU, Az, Tenn, Mia, ASU, Ky) * * * * Ryan Gilbert, 5-11, 180, 4.4, Dallas Hillcrest (Mich, Neb, Mia, Tenn, FSU) Braden Johnson, 6-2, 200, 4.5, Euless Trinity (UT Commitment) Brian Carter, 5-11, 180, 4.5, The Woodlands (UT Commitment * * * * The 25 "Difference Makers" These are Texas' top 25 players, in my opinion, and I have seen all of them play, either on tape or in person: 1. DT Tommie Harris, Killeen Ellison 2. OL Jonathan Scott, Dallas Carter (Texas) 3. OL Jami Hightower, Jacksonville 4. LB Derrick Johnson, Waco 5. RB Cedric Benson, Midland Lee (Texas) 6. S Dewayne Brandon, Temple 7. RB David Underwood, Madisonville (Michigan) 8. C Ben Wilkerson, Hemphill 9. QB Matt Nordgren, Dallas Bishop Lynch 10. OL Abe Robinson, Jersey Village (Texas) 11. LB Jonathon Jackson, Galena Park North Shore 12. DE Kevin Everett, Port Arthur Jefferson 13. WR Armon Dorrough, Lancaster 14. Ath Joseph Addai, Houston Sharpstown 15. DE Lawrence Hooper, Aldine 16. WR Brandon Jones, Texarkana Liberty Eylau 17. Ath Quan Cosby, Mart 18. WR Bennie Brazell, Houston Westbury 19. RB Anthony Johnson, Jefferson 20. TE James Moses, Galena Park North Shore 21. CB Byron Jones, Bay City 22. DT Thomas Derricks, Dallas Jesuit 23. LB Lance McFarland, Jefferson 24. OL William Winston, Houston Madison 25. RB Donta Hickson, McKinney Out-of-State Prospects Texas is recruiting several out-of-state players. Here are the ones who are still considering UT: Quarterback Bret Rawls, 6-5, 200, 4.7, Shreveport Evangel (LSU, UT, FSU, Tenn) Running Back Jabari Davis, 5-11, 224, 4.5, Tucker, Ga. (Tenn, Ga, UT, Neb, Ala) Eric Shelton, 6-3, 230, 4.45, Lexington, Ky., Bryan Station (Ky, FSU, Fla, Tenn, UT) Fullback James Buchanan, 6-2, 240, 4.7, Sarasota, Fla. Mooney (FSU, UT, Fla, BC) Tight End Marcus Spears, 6-5, 275, 4.8, Baton Rouge Southern Lab (LSU, A&M, Mich, UT) Defensive End Eric Hall, 6-3, 232, 4.5, Clarksville, Tenn., NW (UT, FSU, Tenn, Neb, LSU) Shaun Cody, 6-5, 255, 4.8, Los Altos, Cal. (USC, UCLA, UT, Az, ND) Kaelen Jakes, 6-5, 260, 4.8, Valencia, Cal. (UT, Az, USC, Neb, UCLA, Wash, = ND) Defensive Tackle Marquise Hill, 6-7, 290, 4.8, N. Orleans De La Salle (FSU, LSU, Mich, A&M, = UT) * * * * On the out-of-staters, UT has a 50-50 shot at Hall, and Rawls, Jakes and Buchanan also are very seriously considering the Longhorns. Cody says he definitely will visit UT, so the Horns have a fair chance with him. The odd= s are much longer on Davis, Shelton, Spears and Hill. Scouting Louisiana-Lafayette If the Longhorns don't break their 10-quarter scoring drought quickly in their Sept. 9 season opener against Louisiana-Lafayette in Austin, it will = be a very bad sign. The Ragin' Cajuns didn't do much ragin' last season, going 2-9 with their only victories coming over 1-AA Wofford and Middle Tennessee. They also gave up an average of 219 yards per game rushing and allowed opposing backs to average 5.5 yards per rush. The Cajuns run a spread offense with four wideouts, but they didn't score a touchdown until their fifth game last season. Coach Mack Brown says you don't really know what you have until you start playing other teams. He still won't know after this day in the park. The game starts at 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 9 and will be televised by the Fox Network on a syndicated basis. Baseball Adds 1, Loses 1 The Longhorn baseball coaches have signed shortstop Shaff Elkouri, 5-11, 17= 5, from Seward County JC in Kansas, but they lost one of their prized recruits last weekend when slugger Jason Stokes of Coppell signed with Florida for $= 2 million. Elkouri will be a sophomore at Texas this season. Big Basketball Recruiting Week Coming Up The season opener in football is always big news, and it's also going to be= a big deal for basketball this year because both Longhorn teams have some big-time recruits taking official visits the Sept. 9 weekend. It's really big for the men, who have only one scholarship remaining. T. J. Ford, the 5-11 point guard who led Fort Bend Willowridge to the state Class 5A championship last season, will visit. Ford is the player the UT coaches want, and there is a chance he will commi= t on his visit. The Longhorn women have three scholarships left, and two outstanding player= s have scheduled visits for the Sept. 9 weekend. One of them has a name you will remember. She is Lauren Selmon, a 6-0 guard-forward from Norman, Okla. If that rings a bell, you are right. She is the daughter of Dewey Selmon, o= ne of those three great defensive line brothers who starred at Oklahoma a quarter of a century ago. I was in Oklahoma, working as a political reporter for The Associated Press= , when the Selmons played at OU. Unlike some of the later Sooner stars, who made the wrong kind of headlines off the field, the Selmons are fine people The other is Jody Bell, a 6-2 forward from Chestermere HS in Alberta, Canad= a. She averaged a triple double last season (14 points, 10 assists, 12 rebound= s). High School Subs at 160 True Orange is going to 160 schools, thanks to several generous subscribers= . Harrison Stafford of Edna, a Longhorn football star from 70 years ago, took out a new subscription for Wharton. Robert L. Parker of Tulsa renewed the subscription for Oklahoma powerhouse Jenks. Gary Hite of Ball Ground, Ga., renewed San Antonio Alamo Heights. He is a 1953 Alamo Heights graduate. Jimmy Keys of Houston resubscribed for Freer High School. He is a 1956 Free= r graduate. Brad Taylor of Abilene added a new subscription for Abilene High School. Will Coates of Austin renewed the subscription for South Grand Prairie. An anonymous subscriber took out new subscriptions for Houston Sharpstown a= nd Houston Westfield and renewed the subscription for Austin Crockett. I offer a school gift subscription for $35 for 24 issues (omitting the June and July issues when schools are closed for the summer). If you want to subscribe for a school, fill out the coupon below and send $= 35 instead of $45 for each school you want to sponsor. If you don't have a school in mind, I'll be happy to pick one for you. Ther= e are several schools in all areas of Texas where the libraries need a Longho= rn newsletter. A True Orange Subscription Is The Gift You Can Get Every Year for Your Longhorn Friends A subscription to True Orange is the perfect gift for any occasion for a Longhorn who has everything else. It's only $45 ($35 by e-mail) and I'll send an attractive card announcing your thoughtful gift. The only thing better is a gift of True Orange and the True Orange Fax = =01) and you can give both for just $130 a year ($99 if they can take both by e-mail). o I am enclosing $45 for a gift subscription ($35 e-mail) o I am enclosing $130 for a gift subscription to the newsletter and the fa= x ($99 e-mail) Name of Recipient Address (& fax no., if applicable) City, State, Zip Your Name Any Message You Want on Card Next Issue September 11 The next issue will be e-mailed on September 11 and will report on the Sept= . 9 season opener against Louisiana-Lafayette and preview the big game at defending Pac 10 champ Stanford. It will also have lots of football recruiting news, coach Mack Brown's comments on the opener and on the trip to Palo Alto, and reports on other U= T athletic teams. Tell Your Friends About True Orange If you like True Orange, be sure and tell your Longhorn friends about it. I can always use more subscribers. The more subscribers I have, the more resources I have to call recruits and coaches and do all the other things that give you an inside view of Longhorn sports. I want to subscribe. I am enclosing $45 for the next year, which will inclu= de 26 issues. A two-year subscription is $85. For a one-year subscription via E-Mail, send $35. Name Street Address or Box Number or E-Mail Address City, State and Zip Code Remit to True Orange, P O Box 26530, Austin, TX 78755 Foreign Rates Available on Request. Phone 512-795-8536 E-Mail Address: truorange@aol.com I want to give a gift subscription to True Orange. I am enclosing $45. Please send an appropriate gift card. For a gift subscription via E-Mail, send $35. Name of Person Receiving Gift Street Address or Box Number or E-Mail Address City, State and Zip Code Your Name