Class analysis

[Recruiting Guru]

Please forgive me, PonyFans, for the delay with this - it's a kind of busy time of year in my line of work. With that said, here's my impression, and the impression of those who have seen these guys play (I've seen 14 in person, I think).

(In alphabetical order.)

RB Anthony Barnett: Perhaps the top prospect in the class. Barnett has tremendous speed, although he's a shade shorter than the 5-11 height he's been given on some lists. In addition to raw speed, he seems to have very good instincts, and sees the field well, anticipating the movement of defensive players and adjusting accordingly. He changes direction very quickly, and perhaps most importantly, he has great acceleration, meaning he can be at top speed in just two or three steps. That burst allows him to separate from defenders and leave them behind. Want evidence? His 1,096 rushing yards came on just 130 carries this year - an average of 8.4 yards per carry, and he played very stiff competition, against teams with size, strength and speed. The guy can simply run. Also has terrific hands (and can return kicks). Whether SMU plays him at RB or WR, he'll make an impact, perhaps even as a true freshman.

OL Mike Benson: A steal. Don't let that "private school" tag fool you - this guy is a brawler (martial arts black belt) with a major mean streak and a very intelligent player. Dominated his league, as expected, and was among the top players in the Houston area, which annually produces numerous legitimate college players. Reminds some of Danny Murphy, the former Flower Mound Marcus OL who came in and played as a true freshman at SMU, before a back injury ended his career.

LB Jamar Bey: Tall (6-5) LB with terrific speed. Bey is a versatile athlete who shines on the St. Pius basketball team and runs sprints for the track team. A playmaker who caused major headaches for opposing blockers, who often were unable to contain his speed and strength (although at just 210 pounds, he has room to add major strength and size to his 6-5 frame.) Also has a superior wingspan, helping him knock down passes while rushing the QB. At times served as almost an extra safety in the St. Pius defense, dropping into coverage from his LB position and running stride-for-stride with an opposing RB, TE or occasionally even a WR. Very fluid runner who can adjust well to the cuts of pass receivers.

LB Reggie Carrington: An all-district performer at Tomball who projects as an inside LB, perhaps as a future replacement for Vic Viloria. Had a hand injury in his junior season, which caused some teams to shy away from him in the recruiting wars, but came back for a strong senior season, leading his team and the district with 90 tackles, while picking off three passes. Could shine on special teams.

CB Kelvin Cox - Another pure athlete that Coach Bennett liked when he was at Kansas State (which also recruited him). Stats weren't staggering in his senior year (36 tackles), in part because teams ran and threw away from him. Basketball and track standout. Could return kicks in addition to his defensive duties.

DL Randy Denman: Relatively short (6-2) for a DL, but plays bigger than his frame. Led Dayton High basketball team in scoring (18 ppg) from his center position, and has excellent quickness for a player of his size (260). Motor goes non-stop from the snap to the end of the whistle. Makes very good use of leverage, allowing him to succeed even against OLs with significant size/weight advantages. Always around the ball, Denman had 70 tackles and six sacks as a senior, caused three fumbles and recovered four. Member of Houston Chronicle's Area top 50 list. Will compete at DT.

OL/DS Grant Eidson: Overshadowed by fellow Highland Park OL Kyle Williams, Eidson has great bloodlines: father Jim played at Mississippi State and with the Dallas Cowboys, uncle Mike was three-year starter at SMU (1982-85). Consistently was HPHS's top-grading OL as a senior, and is an excellent deep snapper. Squat frame (5-11, 265) allows for low burst and excellent leverage, evoking images of Dallas center Mark Stepnoski. Excellent technique and power, Eidson will compete at center and perhaps guard. Very physical player with nasty attitude who finishes blocks very well. Ability to add size and strength will be critical to his development, but the foundation is there.

WR James Elliott: Big (6-3, 190) WR who uses his size and strength very well to fight DBs for the ball. Very sure hands. Small-school track star who was recruited by numerous Big 12 schools, including Kansas State. Doesn't always look that fast, but long stride allows him to cover a lot of ground (runs 4.5 in the 40). Three-time all-district at WR, twice as DB. Productive player who racked up 31 career TD receptions and 158 tackles/15 INTs on defense. Should factor into SMU receiver rotation immediately. He and Jay Taylor give SMU QBs a nice pair of large targets.

WR Daniel Francis: Gamebreaker with 4.4 speed who drew state-wide attention after picking off four passes and catching four TDs in a game against Jasper. Self-made player who works extremely [deleted] the field and in the classroom. Averaged 27 yards per catch and scored nine TDs (out of just 19 receptions as a senior while frequently drawing double- and triple-coverage). Very dangerous kickoff and punt returner. Also played DB (earning all-district accolades as a junior).

DB Robert Gilmore: Huge risk, and well worth it. Was one of the most highly-coveted DBs in Texas after his junior season, but then shredded his knee at Oklahoma camp last summer. Injury was so bad that many coaches feared he'd never play again, and therefore backed off. But reports suggest his rehab has gone so well that he'll be ready to play when SMU's preseason camp opens in August. Tall (6-2) for a DB, Gilmore can play safety or CB. Sure tackler with excellent hands who ran 4.4 40 before his injury. Expected to redshirt to allow another year for his knee to fully heal.

QB Donnie Gilray: Lightly-recruited passer who has played numerous positions in HS career. Attended camp at SMU last summer and drew rave reviews from former SMU coach Mike Cavan. Tremendously powerful arm, with quick release. Footwork needs polish, but is much more mobile than he looks. Rowlett Offensive Player of the Year.

OL/DL Martin Guidry: Along with Benson (and Gilmore, if he returns from his injury), Guidry is my pick for the steal of the class. A member of the Port Arthur Super 22 and the Houston Chronicle's area top 50, Guidry is a mean, nasty lineman who beats opponents with power and ferocity. Has exceptional strength for a player of his size (6-4, 265) and will only get bigger and stronger under Chuck Faucette's strength program. Can play either side of the ball, but likely will begin career as a DT. Can clog up lanes on the defensive line, and once planted, he's very hard to move. Will fight to the end of every play, and seems to take it as a personal insult when players challenge him -- which just results in getting him angrier and more effective. Should compete for playing time as a true freshman, regardless of which side of the ball he ends up on.

DB Jamey Harper: Arguably the most natural athlete in SMU's class. Terrific speed and elusiveness. Can beat defenders with flat-out sprint, or can juke through traffic. Great balance and control while running at high speeds. Has natural "wiggle" (according to one opposing coach) that allows him to escape seemingly impossible situations (has been known to run into a pile of players and emerge from the other side, seemingly untouched). Versatile athlete (competed in track, baseball and basketball) who could play a number of positions at SMU. Projects as a safety prospect, but will get work as short-yardage/goal-line QB, and perhaps WR, RB and/or special teams. Former TCU commitment whose athletic ability dictates that SMU coaches will find a way to get him on the field.

QB Mark Hodges: Tall (6-

[PonyFan]

Coach Bennett said Wednesday night that Justin Rogers isn't a reach, that he was recruited by several Big 12 schools and Iowa. Must have serious potential.

[Guest]

Thanks for the analysis, Guru. Didn't get nearly enough coverage in this part of the world. From the way your report reads, I gather we have some talented players coming on board in the fall.

[ClassOf81]

That's the most encouraging report I've seen yet on the two Highland Park kids, Eidson and Karrington. It's nice to see someone else who realizes their talent.

[GrapevineMustang]

Your assessment of Benson and Guidry make them sound like my favorite Grapevine Mustang, James McCarthy. If they turn out to be as good as he is, that will be a huge lift for the offensive line, and the offense in general. Gotta have some more "big nasties" up front, on both side of the line.

[ponytalk]

DID YOU JUST CALL Mac BIG NASTY!?

THAT IS <B>BIG SEXY</B> TO YOU!

[GrapevineMustang]

No it's not. James is a hell of a player, but I'll leave it at that, thank you.