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A big reason why Louisiana Tech is favored in most of its games is courtesy of the amount of production the Bulldogs return on the offensive side of the ball. The high potential upside for this team comes on offense considering their stability on the line mixed with their depth, talent, and experience at each skill position. Although they ranked No. 111 nationally in total offense last season, the Bulldogs return their top players at each skill position and six offensive linemen with starting experience. They are led by fifth-year quarterback J’Mar Smith and their 1,000-plus-yard wide receiver Adrian Hardy. read more: https://www.burntorangenation.com/2019/5/26/18626761/louisiana-tech-bulldogs-football-post-spring-preview-texas-longhorns-2019

Who, in college football, has thrown for more yards than Mason Fine the past two seasons? No one. More than Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Ryan Finley, Will Grier, or Trace McSorley. Those five guys were all multi-year starters, all NFL draft picks, and all sit behind the rising senior quarterback from North Texas in yardage production. Mason Fine continues to rewrite the Mean Green record book. He’ll set the Mean Green TD mark this season, probably before the end of week two, and he’ll have done with roughly 40 fewer interceptions than the current leader Steve Ramsey. Fine is the reigning and two-time CUSA offensive player of the year. read more: https://swcroundup.com/news/2019/5/19/the-continued-development-of-mason-fine

#8 Mason Fine - North Texas A diminutive player who almost headed to Oklahoma State, the 5'11", 185-pound Mason Fine is doing great with North Texas. The gunslinger brought big-time passing talent to head coach Seth Littrell and offensive coordinator Graham Harrell's spread offense. He's already at 9,358 passing yards and 64 touchdowns with a completion rate of 63 percent through his first 36 games. Set to be a senior with the Mean Green in 2019, Fine may be set for his best year. His accuracy, yards per attempt and efficiency all increased in 2018. He cut his interceptions to five as well, honing his craft before the snap and understanding how a defender's leverage affects passing windows. He's really shined in his play under pressure. According to Pro Football Focus, Fine had an adjusted completion percentage of 79.9, threw for 898 yards under pressure and only had three turnover-worthy plays in such situations. Mix his dynamic downfield throwing with his composure, and he'll be a can't-miss watch. read more: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2809912-11-best-qbs-who-will-be-returning-to-college-football-in-2019#slide4

Grayson Murphy: 5 solo tcks, 8 total tcks, 1 Forced Fumble ( LOSS 23-19) Gabriel Murphy: 2 solo tcks; 5 total ( LOSS 23-19) Garrison Johnson: 12 carries; 64 yds 1TD (Win 42-6) Kenneth Dotson: LOSS ( 34-14) Damon Ward: Stats haven't been uploaded yet (Win 55-0) Asher Alberding: No offenses stats; 2 solo 4 total tackles ( Loss 42-6) Kealon Jackson: 7 catches 57 yards (Loss 48-12) Jevin Murray: 2 tcks 1 Fumble recovery (Win 43-8) Taylor Jacobs: No stats uploaded (Loss 25-8) Will Kuehne ( 2 games ) 20 40 368 .500 18.4 3 21 33 346 .636 16.5 4 1 Oscar Adaway:: No stats Deonte Simpson : Stats haven't been uploaded yet (Win 55-0) Demeco Roland: (WIN 28-6) Kevin Wood: Loss ( 24-21) no stats Leandre Davis: Loss (9-7)

I know the first rule of the “Fight Club” movie starring Brad Pitt was you were never to talk about Fight Club. But when it comes to #F19HTCLUB, the official social media moniker for North Texas Football’s 2019 signing class, I feel compelled to break the rule. Not only is this class off to great start with fourteen 3-star ranked commitments in just early July, but potentially looking like it could be one of the best in program history. Perhaps it could even be in the running for one of the top G5 classes in the country. This is new territory for a North Texas program who has struggled at times to land higher ranked players, despite being in a hot bed of Texas high school talent in past years. The 2019 class not only has high rankings, but also many hold quality offers from G5 and, yes even *gasp* P5 programs with significant more funding and resources. One of the only knocks on Seth Littrell in his tenure thus far at North Texas is the perception he has not recruited at a high enough level, certainly in the eyes of the recruiting services. One argument was Littrell’s signing classes did not have enough 3 star ranked players. Another would be that his recruits did not have enough P5 school offers. Here’s the real story, in just over two years Littrell and company has done a remarkable job completely rebuilding the roster and culture of a program that had been decimated after a string of bad hires. You don’t take a 1-win team to a C-USA conference championship game in 2 seasons without upgrading the talent on the roster. Over 50% of the starting line up in the 2017 C-USA conference championship were brought in after Seth Littrell took over. The good news is that the proportion of Littrell recruits will only increase in the 2018 season and there were some good players who redshirted last season making their debut in 2018. And no one has ever questioned Littrell and his staff’s ability to identify and develop talent. One need only look to starting junior quarterback Mason Fine who most every division I program thought was too small to play. Fine passed for 4,052 yards in 2017 with 31 touchdowns making him the #6 ranked passing leader in the entire NCAA. In fact, he sat just one chair behind #5 ranked Sam Darnold of USC (4,143) who just signed with the NY Jets as the 3rd pick in the draft. As North Texas has improved in the win column (9-5 in 2017; 2 consecutive bowls) there are also encouraging signs the recruiting efforts have trended upward each cycle since Littrell’s hiring. That said, the 2019 class – thus far – appears to be the cycle where everything seems to be falling into place. Winning helps for sure, as top players want to join a program that is winning consistently and going to bowl games. In retrospect, the key difference may well be Littrell’s hiring director of recruiting, Luke Walerius. Walerius’ most recent stop was at Kentucky in the SEC and is primarily responsible for North Texas’ recruiting program including organization and talent evaluation. The social media efforts and communication have taken took huge steps since his arrival. When talking to both prospect and commits a common theme is that North Texas is the team showing the most love and the best family culture to them. Another key impact that Walerius has made has been to take the natural resources North Texas has, in terms of staff, location, facilities, academics and communicate it effectively in language that the prospects and their respective coaches understand. Twitter has become the king of football recruiting and North Texas has embraced communicating it’s strengths in that medium under Walerius’ lead. Two positions they may be set in terms of numbers in this class are WR and LB. Littrell and his staff have had great success at the wide receiver position since coming on board. They are returning Jalen Guyton, Rico Bussey, Michael Lawrence and Jaelon Darden, all guys brought in by current staff. They also have some exciting freshman and transfers that could contribute this fall including redshirt Greg White from Georgia and Kansas transfer Keegan Brewer. There are currently 3 receivers committed to North Texas this cycle including Damon Ward and Deonte Simpson both from West Brook as well as Kealon “Action” Jackson from Shadow Creek. All three have two things in common, speed and versatility. All three will contribute and be exciting in this spread offense. North Texas has had great success at LB in recent history including sending Craig Robertson (Saints) and Zach Orr (Ravens/Retired) to the NFL. In 2018 North Texas will have a very veteran LB Squad led by seniors EJ Ejiya and Brandon Garner. The quartet of 2019 LB recruits could be the most talented group of commits as whole by position. Twins Gabriel and Grayson Murphy (Bishop Lynch) and Taylor Jacobs (South Grand Prairie) all listed at 6-2, 215 and have versatility to play both linebacker positions and the potential to move down to defensive end. The fourth linebacker commit Kevin Wood (Judson) is listed at 6-0 200, and on film is a tackling machine with a nose for the ball. Watching his highlight film is exciting. He also has versatility and speed to not only play linebacker but also slide back to a safety position in the 3-3-5. The quarterback commit position is in good hands as well. North Texas went back to familiar territory and went back to Oklahoma landing the commitment of State Champion Owasso QB Will Kuehne. Kuehne is a very good QB prospect with a very bright future and a ton of potential. He held offers from Maryland, Arkansas State and several Ivy League schools. Defensive back is one of the most important position groups in the 3-3-5 defense. Mean Green added 4 safeties in the last class. I project they will add close to the same number this class. Currently they just have one committed but that one is a BIG one. Jevin Murray (Shadow Creek) is one of the top defensive backs in the state. He can be an instant contributor for defensive coordinator Troy Reffett’s defense. He held 13 offers including multiple P5 offers. Jevin’s main recruiter is special teams coach Marty Biagi who is having a great recruiting season so far. Marty’s covers the critical Houston-area region which many believe has more prospects than any other region in Texas and possibly the nation. North Texas is having great success in Houston this year. including two of the top-rated recruits running back Garrison Johnson (Manvel) and tight end Asher Alberding (Clear Lake). Garrison choose to commit to North Texas over P5 offers including Syracuse and Nebraska. He has the talent to fall right in North Texas run of talented running backs. Asher (6-4, 235) is an intriguing combination of old school blocking and new age receiving tight end. Coach Littrell success with Rob Gronkowski at Arizona played a big part in Asher decision. It will be fun to watch him develop. The hardest position groups for G5 and even P5 teams to recruit consistently on both sides of the ball is the offensive and defensive lines. In the 2019 cycle, North Texas has done a great job finding big athletic guys that you can develop. They currently have two offensive linemen in John Brunner (6-5, 300 / Brock) and Chris Cassidy (6-4, 280 /Angleton). Both fit the build of athletic/people movers that can develop for offensive line coach Chuck Langston. Look for UNT to try and add at least one more offensive lineman this class. On the defensive side of the ball they have one defensive lineman committed in Demeco Roland (6-3, 275 / Broken Arrow, OK). He comes from the same school as Derrick Shaw a defensive tackle signee from last year class that the staff is very excited about. Demeco is another guy with a lot of potential. Look for him to have big senior season. With 14 commits so far, I figure the staff has around 9 to 10 more scholarships to fill out. I would expect 2 to 3 more commits before the season starts. Don’t be surprised if North Texas doesn’t save the rest of the scholarships for the frenzy that happens as signing day nears and prospects realize they can’t all go to Texas and A&M. With coaching changes and stuff, it is a mad dash as national signing day gets near. And in Seth’s time at North Texas they have really capitalized on some of these later commitments. There is also the opportunity to add some junior college transfers at positions of need. Of course, when you sign the best, you better be prepared when bigger schools lose their commits and decide to start poaching. In prior regimes, North Texas seemed ill prepared for this annual ritual. With Walerius managing the process, it appears that the program is doing everything you have to do to circle the wagons, maintain strong relationships and keep these committed players in place. Time will tell. This is an exciting time to be a North Texas fan. There can be no doubt that North Texas is trending upward in the college football ranks. Back to back bowl games and a trip to the conference championship is potentially just the tip of the iceberg. Between the talent added last class and the talent currently committed this could be the boost needed to push North Texas to the top of G5 rankings and beyond. For a long time UNT has been referred to as the “sleeping giant” due to great location, and school size. But now all the necessary pieces seem to finally be in place to take that next step. North Texas is benefiting from great leadership starting with university president Neal Smatresk and athletic director Wren Baker. North Texas made a phenomenal coaching hire in Seth Littrell and with the aid of director of recruiting Luke Waleruis. #F19HTCLUB could be the signing class that finally woke the sleeping giant.

I like everyone am so thrilled about this major turnaround in men's basketball. The CBI has given us a glimpse of what could be an AMAZING future for the program. Here's my question, we know that we basically only lose Temara (who is not playing in the tourney) and we add the Russian (6-10) and Jahmiah Simmons (6-4) both listed as forwards. We know Umoja Gibson (shooting guard) will be back after his injury. We know Jalen Jackson the point guard out of SA is committed to the 2019 class. He is evidently the heir apparent to Woolridge. We also know that we OWE a ship to Draper period. He is so damn deserving... So assuming if through attrition or whatever, we have 1 or 2 (not likely) spots left to give, at what position would you think we need to land to best set ourselves up for the 2019 season? Should it be high school or juco or best available? Put yourself in Mac's shoes and let's try to predict what (if anything) he will do. PS - I am sure I am missing some details on the scholarship numbers etc here so feel free to correct as needed! GMG

Multiple North Texas officials confirmed Tuesday afternoon that the school is working on a deal with Texas A&M to schedule a nonconference football game. The contract for the game is in the approval process. Information on the season and date for the game were unavailable. - See more at: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2015/06/unt-officials-confirm-deal-in-works-for-game-with-texas-am.html/#sthash.kujkj0dL.dpuf