Who can help us now? - 2012 UNT Football Recruiting Class Review

Projected Immediate Impact Signees (8)

1).  LaJaylin "LJ" Smith, LB, 6-0, 218, LaPlace, Louisiana (St. Charles Catholic HS) Coached by Frank Monica - Smith was a three-time Class 3A all-state pick and a three-time first-team all-district pick at St. Charles Catholic, who went 15-0 and won the Louisiana 3A State title in 2011….As a senior Smith led the St. Charles Catholic defense with 60 tackles and 13 sacks and as a junior he racked up 75 tackles, eight sacks, and five PBU’s….Smith was a three-time first-team all-river parish selection….Smith played in the 2011 Bayou River Showdown All-Star Game…. He was named to the Louisiana Football Magazine Heart of Champions team after the 2011 season.

Harry's thoughts:  I think Smith has the ability to help us right away.  If not at linebacker, he could most certainly help on special teams.  He will have to adjust to the size of D-I players but certainly is the type of athlete that could raise the level of play from day 1.

2).  Boone Feldt - C - 6-3 - 276 - Buda, TX (Buda Hayes HS) Coached by his father Blake Feldt - ESPN ranked him as the #9 center prospect in the country...He is a two time first team all district selection and was named to the Austin American Statesman 2011 All Centex First Team...Named to the AP Class 3A All State First Team...One of the very best linemen in the State of Texas in a year considered to be one of the deepest in that position..younger brother of Cam (a 4-star Rivals recruit) who transferred in to North Texas from Arkansas last season and will be eligible to participate in Spring Practice...played center for most of his career before moving to center at Pilot Point HS...Father Blake is the head coach at Buda Hays and lettered at Texas Tech...Outstanding strength and agility, he is expected to compete for playing time immediately alongside his brother on a pretty experienced UNT offensive line in 2012...He committed to North Texas on 07/30/2011.

Harry's Thoughts:  I know that our offensive line is pretty loaded this year but I still see a chance for Feldt to break into the two deep unless a decision is made to redshirt him.  He's a very good player and could immediately help us at center if we wanted to move Fortenberry to guard.

3).  Xavier Kelly, Cornerback, 5-11, 170, Katy, Texas (Mayde Creek HS) Rated a three-star recruit by Rivals.com…Kelly had 60 tackles, two interceptions, two blocked field goals, and four PBU’s as a senior…Moved to Texas from the state of Florida, where he compiled 98 tackles, five interceptions, and 13 PBU’s at Winter Park HS…..Kelly was named to the 2010 All-Orlando First Team as a defensive back…..Kelly was a 2011 BrightHouse Sports Network Preseason Football Honor Roll Honorable Mention pick as a defensive back.

Harry's Thoughts:  This is a guy who because of the position he plays could be an IMMEDIATE starter for North Texas.  I think because he moved from Florida he was very under the radar and I know that they will be expecting big things from him right away.  At the very least I expect him to be in the cornerback rotation.

4).  Sir Calvin Wallace - DT - 6-3 - 300 – Tyler, Texas (Chapel Hill HS) Coached by Thomas Sitton – Another key component of Chapel Hill's run to the State Championship win against Alvarado in 2011...He was recruited to North Texas by Coach Anthony Weaver...Named 2011 Class 3A First Team All State team by TheOldCoach.com...Had 73 tackles as a junior and nine tackles for a loss….Wallace was named District 17-3A First Team this season...In 2010 Wallace was the Defensive Newcomer of the Year for District 17-3A and a second-team All-East Texas Defensive line pick...

Harry's Thoughts:  Starting to sound like a broken record I know - but I see a role for Sir Calvin here right away.  Perhaps not at nose tackle, where we bring in two 300 pounders in Big Dick Abbe and Tevin Cantly, but rather he could provide depth at nose which would allow someone to help out defensive tackle where we are small and thin.  I would be shocked to see Sir Calvin as an immediate starter, but I think if he shows up in shape he could certainly be a rotational player at nose.

5).  Devante Davis- S - 5-11 - 185 - 4.5 - Baton Rouge, LA (Woodlawn HS) Coached by Don Jones - All District his junior and senior year.....Davis was rated as the No 63. safety in the nation by ESPN…..As a senior, Davis had 97 tackles, four PBU’s, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery….MaxPreps.com ranked Davis as the No. 48 rated player in the state of Louisiana….Davis played the in the U. S. Army Red Stick Bowl All-Star Game and was named the Defensive MVP of the game as he had an interception … Had 85 tackles, eight pass breakups, five forced fumbles, and two interceptions as a junior and was named first-team all-district. Davis committed to North Texas on 07/05/2011....he runs a 4.5 40-yard dash and is considered a four-tool player meaning that he can play cornerback, safety, punt and kickoff return.

Harry's Thoughts:  With Freddie Warner's injury Davis could be an immediate impact player at corner.

6).  Dutton Watson - DE - 6-3 - 245 - 4.8 - Midland, Texas (Midland HS) - Was selected Honorable Mention on the Texas Associated Press Sports Editors on the Class 5A All-State team...Watson finished the season with 48 tackles and a team-high 18 tackles for loss and six sacks which is impressive given the fact most teams schemed around him...Won the District 3-5A Discuss Championship by breaking the 170-foot barrier...Coached by Craig Yenzer...Watson was a three-year starter at defensive end for Midland High. During that span, he made 132 tackles, 13 sacks and 36 tackles for loss. Watson has been a first-team all-district selection the last two seasons.

Harry's Thoughts:  I really like what I see on film for Watson and despite the fact I would love to see him get a redshirt year to bulk up in  the weight room, I just think he may be too talented to leave on sidelines.  I see Watson as an immediate rotational guy that could vie for a starting position as the season evolves.

7).  Jarrian Roberts - LB - Ht:6'2" Wt:220 - Clarksville, TX (Clarksville, HS) - Versatile athlete that played defensive end his junior year and middle linebacker in his senior year. Was an honorable mention 1A All State Selection at linebacker in 2012... Was recruited to North Texas by Coach Mike Simmonds... As a junior and senior he lettered in four sports; All-State in basketball, All-State in football, a regional qualifier in shot put, and an All-District pitcher in baseball. Committed to North Texas on 07/20/2011....Roberts was named the All-Red River Valley Football Defensive MVP by the Paris News as he averaged 13 tackles a game this season…...Roberts piled up 118 tackles on the year, eight tackles for a loss, and six sacks as he was named the District 6-1A Defensive MVP.

Harry's Thoughts:  I really took it on the chin here - I'll admit, I was worried about a small school kid making the transition to FBS ball but as we learned close to signing day that this kids stock skyrocketed and Iowa State and Tulsa both offered him late.  After reviewing his video, I think he may be really, really special and could help us right away especially with the big loss of Stock at outside linebacker.

8).  David Busby- DB - 5-11 - 179 - 4.5 - Coppell, TX (Coppell HS) Coached by Joe McBride -Busby was rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com and 247Sports.com, Busby and ranked No. 67 among all 2012 cornerbacks in the country by ESPN. He was a first-team all-district selection his senior season and he had six interceptions and 70 tackles and was an AP honorable mention all-state selection….Busby notched 85 tackles, 14 pass break-up’s, and had seven interceptions as a junior….The seven interceptions in 2010 were the most in the state of Texas….In 2010 Busby was an AP First Team All State pick….In 2009 Busby was the District 6-5A Newcomer of the Year and an all-district pick as a sophomore….He totaled 15 interceptions during his high school career.

Harry's Thoughts:  I have to put Busby as an immediate impact guy, not because safety is as big a need area as say corner might be but rather, Busby is battle tested at a high (5A) level of competition and against top notch wide receivers with speed.  I think Busby may very well be backing up Oklahoma transfer Mike Trice from day one...he's that good.

Carlos Harris - RB - 5'8" - 175 - 4.4 - Frisco HS (TX) As a senior had 1723 yards rushing and 21 TD’s at Frisco...Was the District sophomore of the year...Named the Dallas Morning News Player of the Week after rushing for 446 yards and 7 touchdowns in a game...As a junior Harris rushed for 713 yards and 8 touchdowns...Could play running back, corner, return kicks and punts but most likely will see time at wide receiver...will remind fans of former Mean Green star Jamel Branch from Katy..

Harry's Thoughts: I won't list Harris as immediate impact although you could make an argument that what he brings to special teams would fit for that category.  I will say this, I wouldn't put it past Mac and Chico to find a way to get this kid on the field in key 3rd down situations and due to his speed and elusiveness.  With Brelan Chancellor moving to more of a traditional wide receiver it is quite possible that we see Harris move into the old Chancellor offensive role with reverses and quick outs.  He should be a very fun player to watch sort of a Billy "White Shoes" Johnson clone.

Ryan Rentfro - OG - 6'4" - 280 - FM Marcus (TX) Was a second team All State selection by OldCoach.com...Named to the All District 8-5A Team as a senior...Logged 68 pancakes and 42 knockdowns as a senior...Rentfro committed to North Texas on 01/22/2012

Harry's Thoughts:  Rentfro is a good sized good looking prospect that will help North Texas but based on  the numbers we have coming back in the O-Line and barring major injuries I see him as a red shirt candidate this year.

Jamal Marshall - DB - 6-3 - 185 - 4.4 - Fort Bend, TX (Elkins HS) - Marshall is a track athlete who just recently started playing football...Had 46 tackles, 10 pass blocks and 2 sacks as a senior...has outstanding speed and size for his position...His personal best in the 200-meter was 23.17 seconds and he participated in the State relays for Elkins.

Harry's Thoughts:  Marshall is probably the most intriguing of all of the signees in that he has boiler plate size and speed for a cover corner.  Given the fact that cover corner is a major concern for UNT with injuries, graduation etc..I probably should place Marshall as an immediate impact guy but I think he may need a year to learn the system and adjust to the speed of the game at this level.  

Connor Trussell, Offensive Line, 6-5, 285, Arlington, Texas (Martin HS) -
Was a key member of an offensive line that helped Martin rush for nearly 3,500 yards last season and advance to the Class 5A Division I state quarterfinals…Primarily played right tackle, but also has experience at guard and as long snapper….Ran a 5.49 40-yard dash…Ran a 1.82 10-yard dash…Bench pressed 185 pounds 27 times…

Harry's Thoughts:  Trussell is a good sized good looking prospect that will help North Texas but based on  the numbers we have coming back in the O-Line and barring major injuries I see him as a red shirt candidate this year.

Mustafa Haboul, Defensive Tackle, 6-0, 247, Arlington, Texas (Martin HS) Was first-team All-District 4-5A...Dallas Morning News named him Player of the Week following a 19-7 in over Euless Trinity, in which Haboul had five tackles going against Hiva Lutui, a four-star offensive linemen rated one of the best in Texas …Did not play football until his freshman year…Started as a sophomore… Nicknamed the "Beast"...Had eight sacks, 49 tackles, and a fumble return for a touchdown in 2011…In his junior year, he had 18 tackles, six tackles for loss, one sack and three fumble recoveries...Was used on offense in short-yardage situations and scored a touchdown and a two-point conversion…Also member of the Martin track and field team, competing in shot put and discus.

Harry's Thoughts:  I love the heart and desire that this kid brings to the table, and he could be a big surprise in Fall camp because I don't think he will take much crap and will immediately bring a physical nature to his coaches and teammates.  That said, I would like to see him get a full redshirt year to develop in the weight room and work on his technique.  I think he's a McCarney blue collar lunch pail type of kid that will make the players around him better.  

Rex Rollins - RB – 6-1, 185, 4.5 - Tyler, TX (Chapel Hill HS) Coached by Thomas Sitton – An outstanding athlete, Rollins moved in from Hallsville just before his junior season and would become a key cog in Chapel Hill's 2011 State Championship run. He played both running back and cornerback...Rollins was a first-team District 17-3A pick as a running back this season…..He rushed for 961 yards and eight touchdowns. …..As a junior he rushed for over 800 yards, with eight touchdowns and he averaged 9.6 yards a carry...Was a key member of his high school team that went 15-0 and won the Class 3A Division I state championship and a teammate of UNT defensive tackle signee Sir Calvin Wallace... Rollins participated on Chapel Hill's 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams at the state finals...he was a past teammate of Chapel Hill defensive back Laramie Lee, who played for UNT last year...former North Texas Coach Anthony Weaver recruited Rollins...Rollins was North Texas’ first recruit of the 2012 class committing on 6/15/2011.

Harry's Thoughts: Rollins is slated to be a safety and with the addition of transfer Mike Trice (Oklahoma) and depending on how he performs in two-a-days may be looking at a redshirt year.

Jamarcus Jarvis, Running Back, 5-10, 195, Houma, Louisiana (East. Ascension HS) - Jarvis was a first-team all-district selection in 2011 as he rushed for 932 yards and 11 touchdowns…He also had 20 receptions on the year for 343 yards and compiled 1,275 all-purpose yards on the year with 15 total touchdowns his senior year….Jarvis rushed for 800 yards as a junior and had 10 touchdowns…He played in the U.S. Army Red Stick Bowl All-Star Game in which he rushed for 36 yards on six carries, and was the second leading rusher on his team….Jarvis, also a sprinter, was a member of the Class 5A 4x100 relay team that won the state title last season and took first place at the LSU Relays and the Griffin Relays.

Harry's Thoughts: Not sure where Jamarcus fits, he could be the redshirt running back with a long line of guys at that position or they could decide to move him to safety.  Not sure if he would be looked at corner or not. As with all of these, his performance during two a days will dictate whether or not the staff sees him helping out on special teams.  I won't put him as immediate impact player but he's an interesting player to consider.

Malik Dilonga - DE - 6-4 - 245 - 4.95 - Cedar Hill, TX (Trinity Christian) Coached by Offers NT, ULM COMMITTED North Texas 07/20/2011. Dilonga (6-4, 245) was a first-team TAPPS Division II, District 2 selection and 2nd team all district selection as a junior. Had 45 tackles 4 passes blocked...Did you know: Malik's sister Monique and two of her friends who are also close to him are students at UNT...plays center on the TC basketball team.

Harry's Thoughts:  This one is tough, because I have no idea on how Dilonga shows up...he has the potential of growing significantly (ie comparisons to Adrian Awasom) and I sense that he may end up at defensive tackle before all is said and done. Assuming he shows up close  I think Mike Nelson will choose to try and redshirt Dilonga if he can.  

Nick Schrapps WR Ht:6'3" Wt:197 40:4.62 - Beaumont, Texas (Monsignor Kelly HS) – Schrapps was a first-team all-state and first team all-district player his senior season...Was a 3-time TAPPS 3-5A all-district selection...as a junior he had 68-receptions for 718 yards and 7 tds...He committed to North Texas on 09/01/2011...an outstanding basketball player, Schrapps gave up hoops in his senior year to focus on football...Recruited by North Texas Coach Mike Nelson...He was a first-team all-district player and a second-team all-state player as a junior... Named the week eight winner of the Built Ford Tough award for a 10 reception, 230 yard and three touchdowns….Was a second-team all-district player his freshman season…..Schrapps was named the Port Arthur News 40th Super Team Wide Receiver….Also named to the Beaumont Enterprise 2011 Super Gold Football Team….Schrapps was also academic all-state selection his senior year.

Harry's Thoughts:  I like Schrapps and can see a possible place for him as a possession receiver but I won't put him as immediate impact with the usual disclaimer that he could make a place for himself in 2-a-days.  I do this because I think we may be ok in terms of possession receiver this year, especially with a solid spring from Chaz Sampson and may be looking more for a speed guy to infuse into Chico's offense.

Brad Horton DE Ht:6'6" Wt:240 40:4.7 - Liberty Christian Argyle TX - Coached by Greg Price - A 1st Team TAPPS 1-I Selection at defensive end...Tremendous potential with great height (6-6) and speed (4.8 40)...Focused on basketball until his junior year...He committed to North Texas on 09/09/2011...Dad played baseball for Texas Tech...Recruited by former North Texas Coach Clint Bowen.  Named 2011-12 TAPPS All-State Defensive First Team and a First Team all-district pick his senior season….Horton was an all-district player his junior season…..A versatile athlete, Horton is also a three-time all-district basketball selection.

Harry's Thoughts: Big Brad will come with a LOT of fanfare due to the fact he has a frame and size that we just haven't seen much of around here.  I'm going to lean towards redshirting him (similar to Diloga) because a year in the weight room could do wonders.  He could be a future bookend of Skladany's defense and I would expect that his best years come in C-USA.

Mark Lewis, Running Back, 5-10, 210, Livonia, Louisiana (Livonia HS) Lewis rushed for a school record 1,965 yards and 33 touchdowns his senior season….He was named to 2011 LSWA (Louisiana Sports Writers Association) Class 3A All-State football team and was the leading rusher in Class 3A in the state of Louisiana...Lewis was named the District 5-3A MVP and was a Class 3A First-Team All-State selection his senior year…..He was named to the All-Metro team by the Baton Rouge Advocate his senior season…..Played in the U.S. Army Red Stick Bowl All-Star Game and was the leading rusher in the game with 53 yards along with being named the skill player MVP for his team….He was a two-time first-team all-district player and a four-time all-parish team selection…. Lewis was a finalist for the Warrick Dunn Award.

Harry's Thoughts:  Very talented player that is at a position with a bit of a line.  Lewis' best chance is if he can prove himself to be a guy that can get 3-4 inside the tackles consistently.  An interesting thing to keep in mind about Lewis is he was a fierce linebacker prior to moving to running back so defense is not completely out of the question.  With the numbers we return at RB I will not list him as an immediate impact but again performance in camp could get him in the mix and he most certainly could be an immediate impact player on special teams.

Dustin Clark OLB Ht:6'0" Wt:202 - Borger HS (TX) Clark, recorded 18½ sacks as the Bulldogs advanced to the Class 3A Division I playoffs. He committed to North Texas on 12/17/2011...Was selected to the All State AP 2nd team and was the District 10 3A MVP...shows an incredible burst of speed from the edge and projects to be a linebacker and could help out on special teams right away...Was Coached by Rusty Purser..Was recruited by UNT Coach Nick Quartaro.

Harry's Thoughts:  Initial thought is his edge speed makes him a possibility on passing downs but I will lean towards letting him redshirt if you can.  Obviously Stock's departure gives him an opening that hadn't been there prior.  And Clark is clearly a possibility for special teams.

Let's hear your thoughts on this topic!  Please provide your comments here or on the Mean Green Football Board!