Leaderboard

This a well deserved nomination! Hope they win!!! Outstanding Program Series: University of North Texas | Beyond The Green: North Texas Football 2013 Outstanding Special Feature: University of North Texas | From War Vet to Defensive End

Doesn't the number of players drafted provide a snapshot of a program's recruiting success and failure some 3-4 years ago rather than the state of a program at present? Sure, Texas didn't have any players drafted, but their head coach had 3 taken in the first round, so if I'm a UT alum, I'm optimistic about the present and the future - and I'm moving on from the past. Similarly, as a UNT alum, I'll be more disappointed if we don't see some guys go in next year's and that of 2016, than I am regarding this year's draft. Our momentum is upward, we are moving forward. That projects positively for the future, which will be reflected in the level of talent across the board, as well as subsequent NFL drafts.

I was in New York at Madison Square Garden for the draft when Cody Spencer got drafted in 2004 on day 2 in the 6th round. We had skipped a Yankees game to take in the 2nd day of the draft because we loved the first day so much. I yelled and clapped like a proud fool, in a room full of silence after the selection was made. It was very exciting to me. That's me rocking the Moon jersey...

"Derek Thompson‏@DerekThompson_710m Just to clear things up, I've been invited to the Denver Broncos mini camp. Thankful for the opportunity and can't wait to compete! QBs work"

Really? You have schadenfreude because the Horns don't have a draft pick for the first time in 77 years (Longest streak of any school in the country) when we haven't had a draft pick in how many years??? Glass Houses dude.

Mean Green Savings for Recent Grads 2014 Football Season Tickets Normally $160, Recent Grads will receive a 40% discount on season tickets for the upcoming season. They will have a designated location behind the visitors bench between the 35 yard lines. With limited availability, secure your seats before they're gone. Along with the savings and amazing seat location, Recent Grads are also eligible for payment plan options and the ability to join the Mean Green Club at a discounted rate (see info below). Join the Mean Green Football hype after an exciting ending to the 2013 season with their Heart of Dallas bowl game win against UNLV. To purchase your season tickets or for more information on ticket options available, please contact Eddie Delgado at 940-369-5380 or eddie.delgado@unt.edu Ask your personal sales representative about our recent grad referral program! Have you heard about the North Texas Recent Grad Program? The Recent Graduate Program allows for new alumni to stay connected to North Texas Athletics by receiving Mean Green Club member benefits at a reduced price. Join now and receive great benefits and amenities in Apogee Stadium, and throughout the year. You helped make Apogee Stadium possible, now enjoy all that it has to offer! Discounted Season Football and Basketball Tickets Parking at Football and Basketball (with season ticket purchase) Access to Hospitality Areas at Men’s and Women’s Basketball Invitations to Member Only Events This post has been promoted to an article

Sadly, I just don't care, and that is worse than being pissed off. Bring on football.

What a party killer...thank you. GMG

This is the best way to deal with the CUSA mandate to not have students directly behind the visitor's bench - fill the first few rows with recent grads! How many rows are the students being pushed back, anyway?

Yes sir. 100%

i like the deal and the location, especially for new grads that don't have families....they get to be back with the students where they cut their teeth!

Thoughts?

http://www.chargers.com/news/article-1/Chargers-Agree-to-Terms-with-17-Rookie-Free-Agents/bafbef67-ab54-4cbf-87a9-8b425609cfc8 Here's a list of Free Agents WR signed by San Diego (what matters in regards to Brelan): Brelan's edge is obviously his special teams ability. Danny Woodhead was fielding kick returns last year for SD he averages just 21.8 yards per attempt on 12 attempts. Woodheads longest return was 37 yards. It was good enough for 36th best KR in the league. San Diego ranked a weak #26 as a team in the returns category. So i think Brelan is a really calculated signing. Keenan Allen fielded 15 punt attempts with an average of 8.3 yards per return. He was the #31 best returner in the league. Great receiver for them though, 1,046 yards on 71 catches. He should have no problem stealing the return spotlight, it will allow the other two guys to focus on the offensive piece. Woodhead, Allen, Gates were the biggest producers last year. A footnote is Eddie Royal, he's their #2 receiver and has great return potential. He recently restructured his deal in the off-season so he could stay in San Diego. He caught 47 passes for 631 yards. Brelan could break into the receiving core but i don't think that's why he's there, which I think is a double-edge sword. He has a niche, i hope they give him a shot to expand out with it. Other recievers: 16 Seyi Ajirotutu WR 26 6-3 215 5 Fresno State 86 Vincent Brown WR 25 5-11 190 4 San Diego State 80 Malcom Floyd WR 32 6-5 225 9 Wyoming 73 Dontrelle Inman WR 25 6-3 198 R Virginia --Tobais Palmer WR 24 5-11 178 1 North Carolina State 16 Tevin Reese WR -- 5-11 163 R Baylor

OK, everyone step away from the cliff...for today.

If this is the roster we go into 2014-2015 with (far from guaranteed, based on the past): PG - Chris Jones, Todd Eaglin, GWP SG - Mo Aniefiok/TJ Taylor, C. Ward, GWP, D. Harris SF - Jordan Williams, Greg Wesley/Aniefiok, Muhammed Ahmed PF - Muhammad Ahmed, Jeremy Combs/Wesley PF - Colin Voss, Armani Flannigan 6th man: Who ever isn't starting between Taylor and Aniefiok. I've never seen Combs show any small forward skills like ball handling or scoring much from outside the paint. Cooley, who's seen him play live confirmed this. I don't see him at SF. As for Wesley, he has the skill set to play SF but he needs a lot of work refining his dribbling and shooting. The ability is there though, hence all those offers he had. But we'll need him in the post too.

https://twitter.com/miller_tonja/status/465883593944756225https://twitter.com/brettvito/status/465894971623481344 Miller time in New Orleans! Go Drew!

Monday morning notes (Wesley still at UNT, hoops assistant Anwar to decide soon, UNT TE Drew Miller to mini camp): http://t.co/8keHVemfFm — Brett Vito (@brettvito) May 12, 2014 Wesley still current member of team

I'll be in the chat all day today if you want to ask questions.

The deal is here! Call/Email today!

For what it's worth, Brelan made the NFL.com All-Undrafted Team. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000349528/article/jordan-lynch-jackson-jeffcoat-lead-2014-allundrafted-team

You need us You need people responding badly to feel alive, don't you?

I agree with Gray Eagle, it is not where you start but where you finish. Why are many people publicly stating our coaching staff does not know how to recruit just because utSA has 9 commitments listed and UNT has no recruits publicly committed. WTH? Why the heck are these people measuring our recruiting success as compared to the road chickens? These people need to stop constantly publicly comparing our coaches recruiting efforts against other schools coaches recruiting efforts. Cry-- cry-- cry-- we have no commitments! Oh no, the sky is falling! It is the coaches fault we have no commitments to show off! These people need to trust in coach Mac, and trust in his staff! Since these recruiting experts know more about recruiting, then by all means go talk to the coaches yourself and complain we have no commitments. Instruct the coaches on the in's and out's of successful recruiting. Tell'em how to do it! Your the experts on recruiting. Apparently, the staff will recruit previously committed players to flip over to NT! This shows me the staff has no fear when recruiting the people they want! I will say this now. The 2015 class will be the best Coach Mac class since Coach Mac arrived. The classes just keep getting better and better each year! Remember NT already has 7-8, D1 transfers on the team that will count against the 2015 class. Plus several gray shirts too! I would say these players count as commitments for the 2015 class. I will say NT is in very good shape for the 2015 class now, and will become much better as this recruiting year progresses through to February 2015.

get off the ledge, man. we'll get our recruits.

6' 200 lb linebacker from Richland high school in NRH. First team all district 4-5A last year as a junior. Was named sportday DFW player of the week for the week of October 28th after making 14 tackles, 3 sacks, a pass broken up, and a forced fumble against Keller Central. Plays outside lb in a 3-4 scheme, so plays a lot by the line of scrimmage. Hard hitter. We appear to be his first offer. Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1351810/hayden-davidson

Signed with Denver.

I was apprehensive that perhaps I missed on a deal since I secured my tickets a few days before you teased these, but I'm good now. I'm still getting a great bargain though for two S208 seats + parking pass for ~$300.

Because that's where this thing is at right now?

Someone give me more crappy excuses for our crappy scheduling, please? Edit: just read it was basketball. Way to hook me, Vito! Damn you!!! And Harry for putting it in the football forum!!

Appreciate the info on Wesley, but I guess NT has broke a rule because he has been listed most of the year in the roster. Also Jones and Williams were never removed from the roster.

QBs – C Like a box full of chocolates, UNT has no idea what it’s going to get with Andrew McNulty and Josh Greer, who are in position to take over the starting job. A fair grade considering the "unknown factor" of this position. But since I rated McNulty better than Thompson last year coming out of the spring, I'm not as concerned as other people. Plus we have all summer for Means and Greer to get more "comfortable." RBs – B UNT has a ton of good prospects and two proven players in Antoinne Jimmerson and Reggie Pegram. Does UNT have C-USA elite back? That remains to be seen. Also a fair grade. And I stick with my previous assessment that this is the deepest we've been in "viable" RB's in just about ever. In other words, we can have a rash of injuries and the talent level won't drop off like it could have (and to a certain extend did) back in the Cobbs/Thomas days. DL – C UNT lost four key players who started nearly the entire year and will look to rebuild around defensive end Daryl Mason. UNT might not have a bigger concern that its defensive front. About a month or so ago I might have agreed with this, but not so much now. I'm thinking more like C+ or B- . We won't miss Brelan for his pass catching abilities per se. We'll miss him for his special teams play. For clutch pass catching, we need to replace Darnell Smith more than anyone else. I saw flashes of him in Brown( #87 ) and Chelf (#31) during spring practice and the spring game.

It makes plenty of sense. Guys play bc they love the game, but the end bottom line goal is to make money doing something you love. That goes for all of us. If a recruit coming out of high school is a high rated 2 star, 78-79 and gets offered a full ride from lets say Purdue (see Reggie Pegram) and goes there. If he doesn't touch the field, which more times than not a 78 isn't going to see the field anytime soon, maybe as a RS Soph, maybe. So his exposure is going to be limited to nonexistent. Not only is he not even playing the game the recruit loves to play, his chances of making it to the next level diminish more and more every week. Go to a mid-major, prove your worth, get on the field and show people what you are made of. That's our advantage here at North Texas and it needs to be as I am sure it is sold to recruits. Ask yourself the same questions, put yourself in a HS coaches shoes. You got a WR that runs a 4.60 and is 6'1 200lb. His productivity was limited in HS for whatever reason, maybe bc of the offensive scheme. The kid gets offered by a couple P5's such as Iowa and Utah. But mid-majors are drooling to have this kid on their roster bc they need a playmaker desperately. How would you advise this guy? I for one would tell him to do his research on offensive philosophies and go where you are needed and not just wanted. Go to a place where you will contribute early so you can be seen, not go to a place where you are just to add "depth" and get red-shirted and potentially lose motivation. Granted if I had a guy that was a freak of nature that could contribute immediately I would advise totally differently. So for a HS coach to send a kid packing to a P5 schools is not always and honestly usually not the best decision. It makes perfect sense.

I don't know that kid who you know's situation personally like you do GOMG2013, but I know a lot of early offers given out are not committable. It happens all the time. Schools will offer a kid, but won't be ready to take his commitment at that moment. They want to hold out for the guys higher on their board, but still be able to let that kid know that they think highly enough of him to have offered. Slow playing. Here's an article of that happening, and a kid committing w/o a head coach's consent. http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2014/2/18/5421956/duke-shelley-tennessee-commit-recruiting You know your stuff, so I don't think I'm breaking this to you. And I have no idea if this is evenly remotely relevant to the kid you brought up. Just bringing up another point.

Hotdog!!!

So i was looking at the inside linebacker situation in Baltimore. Daryl Smith is obviously the first name that comes to mind. He ranked #18 in the NFL in tackles with 123 combined. He also had five sacks. Smith was a second round pick for Jacksonville in 2004 (I think), he's currently 32. Behind him are: Albert McClellan - Signed from rookie free agency (good note for Orr). 3 years NFL experience 15 tackles last year. I think he contributes in coverage? Similar to Orr as in team captain/huge contributor at Marshall (CUSA shoutout). Josh Bynes - Also signed from rookie FA. 2 year guy out of Auburn. Bynes has been waived from the practice squad, resigned and then moved up to play. His slot doesn't seem secure although he's a solid special teams contributor (i think). Been on the final roster since 2012. D.J Bryant -"D.J. Bryant was signed to a Reserve/Future contract with the Ravens on 2/6/13...Signed to the Ravens’ practice squad on 12/12/12...Released by the New York Jets on 12/4/12 after being signed to the practice squad on 11/5/12...Waived by Indianapolis on 10/18/12 after being signed to the practice squad on 10/9/12...Released by Tampa Bay on 10/2/12 after being signed to the practice squad on 9/18/12...Waived by Houston on 8/31/12 after originally signing as a rookie free agent on 5/14/12." So yeah this was too annoying to not just copy. He hasn't really contributed, another Rookie FA. Arthur Brown - Drafted out of K-state last year in the second round. Likely not going anywhere 3 picks were traded to Seattle in order to get brown in 2013. 15 tackles last season but also recovered from a sports hernia. This is of course all speculative. Don't forget that C.J. Mosely was drafted in the first round out of 'Bama. I feel like he picked/got picked for a tough crowd. I definitely think Orr has the talent to bump off a few of these guys. And, if he survives the competition and comes out on top he'll be in the league a long time. He's got a long fight in camp ahead of himself, but he's completely capable. I wouldn't say he has an ideal situation because of the depth of competition, but obviously the ravens allow free agents to make their bones.

There's a whole lot of things going on in recruiting that you will not know if you are looking at recruiting services. I feel the sites will do a decent job with those D1 targets who are on the map as soph or juniors. Late risers are not really kept up with. I have said this several times...NOT ALL INFO IS UPDATED!!! especially if you dont have a team rep for the site. Those recruiting sites depend on the athletes for thier info. I know for a fact that some 2013 recruits had more offers than rivals listed. Some recruits just dont bother with updating the sites. I know a kid right now that has an offer from a big 12 school and he isnt even listed on rivals. He wants to commit, but his high school coach has told him to wait. Why wait? Because the high school coach also wants the stars and offers for his players. He wants schools visiting so he can try to sell other players. They are trying to make connections. Its so much that goes on with recruiting. I also know that there were some 3 star recruits from the last two years that unt could have had if unt wanted them. If it was just about collecting 3 stars, unt could do a better job. Theres some situations where unt likes thier little known 2 star more.

I think ArkStFan is dead on in that many games, especially for G5 schools, will move to an internet app/freemium model. It's just too easy to do. I have a friend who started doing video for a cheerleading group. They charge a subscription for the viewer, plus feed custom ads based on the location of the viewers IP address. I'm setting up a content distribution network for my own video clients that will allow clickable links within the videos. Imagine what the advertisers will think of have clickable links within the game to respond - no shouting phone or web addresses three or four times in hopes that people remember them! Viewers can act on ads with the game either paused or going in another window. And the ads delivered are based on cookies, geolocation and the time of day of the game. And any revenue or data collection can be directly attributed to a specific ad.

This discussion is not bad offseason discussion at all. Let me address 2 things: 1. The star system. "Billy's first law of following recruiting" states that any and all discussion about stars and the star system will eventually lead to a debate about whether or not stars mean anything. Outlier type players who were lowly rated/unrated or statistics of how higher ranked players are more likely to succeed will then be used to back up either side of the argument. The truth is, stars mean nothing for an individual player. They have nothing to do with how successfull a player will be. But there is evidence to suggest that higher rated players are more likely to succeed. For every Khalil Mack or Eric Fisher, there are hundreds of two stars who never start or even play meaningful snaps throughout their career. Yes there are a lot of politics involved with the star system. Especially if you're going to look at rivals. They're industry is run by teams' rivals sites and subscriptions to those sites. Why bump a deserving player of our ours, like Fonzale Davis, to a 3-star when we give them no pressure and a school with a sub site on rivals is pestering them to bump their 2-star up to 3? Rivals is the best IMO for the top 250 national type kids. But for us, we're more likely to get more love from 247, ESPN, and now scout with our boy Gabe Brooks doing a great job and giving us some attention. 2. Comparing our staff to other staffs. We will and should be compared to other staffs as long as we're playing them or recruiting against them. Yeah getting 2-star guys with no other offers is not necessarily a bad thing, and he might end up being a stud. But don't believe that those guys are on the top of the coaches' boards. There's a very high chance that the guys the coaches want most are also coveted by other schools. You have to win battles to get the guys you want most. As for the early commit argument at the beginning. Of course how you finish is more important than how you start. The impressive thing about the early commits is that the coaches from UTSA and such are selling their program to these kids. If you've been reading Vito's recruiting series, a lot of our targets are going to wait through the summer, into their senior season, or after it's over to make a decision. This is very common among kids waiting to see if they can get bigger offers before they commit. The difference is, other schools' coaches are convincing these kids that they don't need to wait. Commit now, because this is the school for you, regardless of who might offer you down the line. Being able to sell the program to that extent is how you're able to win the battles and get who you want. I trust this staff to win games and field a competitive team. But if you follow recruiting as close as I do, you see things that you wouldn't just from looking at our class on signing day. Our coaches are behind the curve of present day recruiting. Doesn't mean we can't sign a good class, beat teams out for recruits, and win games.

Proud of both of these guys. Didn't take long!

As far as breaking the NFL draft drought, Cyril Lemon has a good chance. (Started every game from his freshman year on, 1st team C-USA, etc.) Derek Akunne at 244 lbs or Lairamie Lee might sneak in around the 7th round. (both had C-USA honors) Johnson and Y'Barbo are the last of the players that Coach Mac inherited to have any chance. I agree that a team can have success in C-USA without draftable players. Boise took down several ranked big 5 conference teams by having players with enough talent that the NFL drafted several of them. Since 2000 they have had 26 players drafted. (21 since 2006) They won because they had enough talent to do it.

http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com We've had one player drafted in 17 years?

That's what makes landing 3 stars in CUSA that much sweeter. Hate to break it down like this but a 3* to most CUSA teams is equivalent to a most P5 schools landing a 4*. Indiana, Minnesota, Purdue, Utah, Wazzou, NC St, Wake, etc. land as many 4* as we do 3*, and I mean 4* out of the gate. A 5* to the above named schools would be equivalent to us or other CUSA schools snagging a 4*. It doesn't happen, and when it does it's rare. We have to aim at making our recruiting classes dominantly 3*. In hand we would have a legitimate punchers against anybody. Settling 2* and NR's will get allow us to be a mid-major program. Consistently landing 3* will bring a very bright future. The proof is in the pudding. I know that stars and ratings get tweaked throughout the recruiting season due to offer lists and school interest, but look at the mid-majors that consistently land those 3*, you will see them winning their conference and/or being an annual force within their conference. Toledo, Bowling Green, Boise, NIU, Marshal, ECU, Houston, etc. They bring in the 3* on a consistent basis and against the their conference foes they are consistently winning, and a couple of those schools beat P5's consistently as well.

I really hope a ton of season ticket holders don't renew. It's the best way to send a message to an AD that I'm sure doesn't care that the continued head in the sand behavior is unacceptable. The AD won't feel pressure any other way.

Really does seem like decades ago. You'll be shocked how little you miss watching a Benny coached team in person.

Oh... Ok?

So what does it suggest when a D1 University goes year after year after years without a player being drafted? I pointed out that the O-line may break the drought next year with Y'Barbo, Lemon, and Johnson. Many many players have made worthwhile contributions and played their hearts out while at UNT. The title of this thread was: UNT’s NFL Draft drought continues — quick thoughts I guess I should have said "I can;t believe we haven't had a bunch of players drafted over the past several years." I admit I'm a UNT homer and that my hypocrisy knows no bounds, but that might have been a little over the top.

Was there suppose to be someone drafted? I guess I got out of the out the loop and focused more on basketball. I knew Braylon had a good chance of being signed after the draft but didn't know if anyone else even had a chance for that. (Just based in what I had read online months ago though)

Don't worry . . . our camel's got a very sturdy back.

I saw Johnny Jones texting while driving

We offered.