\"300-mile radius\"

[Recruiting Guru]

Coach Bennett said when he was hired that his recruiting focus was going to be within 300 miles of DFW. With that said, here are some of the top players in Texas and Oklahoma, players who undoubtedly are on Coach Bennett's wish list.

~ QB James Battle (6-2, 195, 4.45) - Denton (Ryan), Texas -- The best QB prospect in Texas.
~ WR Robert Meachem (6-3, 200, 4.28) - Tulsa (Washington), Okla. -- The best player in Oklahoma at any position. That 40 time was run at the Nike combine. Great size and hands, and speed to burn. Will be recruited by every team in the country. Sees himself doing double duty in college, playing basketball, too.
~ WR Earvin Taylor (6-3, 185, 4.5) - Mission, Texas -- Younger brother of A&M wideout Jammar Taylor. Better prospect than his brother was.
~ TE Tony Hills (6-6, 260, 4.7) - Alief (Elsik), Texas -- Best TE prospect in the country, and an exceptional DE prospect, too.
~ OL Jorrie Adams (6-7, 275, 4.85) - Jasper, Texas -- Best OL in the state, and maybe in the nation. Will play in the NFL, and probably could make a pro team now. Every coach in the country wants this kid.
~ OL Brandon Keith (6-6, 320, 5.1) - McAlester, Okla. -- Best OL prospect to come out of Oklahoma in years. Overpowers opponents with ease. Excellent footwork and technique to go with raw power/strength.
~ OL Carl Pendleton (6-6, 270, 5.0) - Sapulpa, Okla. -- Leaner than Keith, and mobile enough to play either line. Should add 40-50 pounds and be monster offensive tackle.
~ DE Alonzo Dotson (6-5, 220, 4.6) - Alief (Hastings), Texas -- Super-quick pass rusher. Makes plays all over the field.
~ DE/DT Xavier Lawson-Kennedy (6-3, 290, 4.9) - Duncanville, Texas -- Extremely quick for his size, very nimble for a player of his weight. Likely will play inside at the college level.
~ DE Jarvis Moss (6-7, 212, 4.52) - Denton (Ryan), Texas -- Even quicker than Dotson. Imagine trying to outrun this guy or throw over him. Seriously could add 70 pounds and still be quick. Hasn't begun to grow into his frame. Sky's the limit.
~ DT Steven Coleman (6-5, 280, 4.9) - Dallas (Skyline), Texas -- Leader of strong Skyline defensive line. Has college coaches lining up for his services.
~ ILB Robert Killebrew (6-2, 235, 4.6) - Spring, Texas -- Zach Thomas clone with better height. Runs through blockers rather than going around them. Mean streak a mile wide.
~ OLB DeMarrio Pleasant (6-3, 215, 4.4) - Lewisville, Texas -- Fastest LB prospect in Texas in years. Fluid runner who can chase down tailbacks and cover receivers - including fast WRs - all over the field. Speed scares opposing QBs into bad throws, if the get the ball off at all.
~ ILB/OLB TaTa Thompson (6-4, 220, 4.6) - Garland, Texas -- Very fast, brutal hitter. Finishes tackles as well as any player in Texas. Instincts and technique are exceptional.
~ ILB Dane Zaslaw (6-2, 241, 4.6) - Edmond (Memorial), Okla. -- Nation's top teams (Miami, Oklahoma, Texas, LSU, Stanford, Michigan State, etc.) all want this kid. Watch him once and it's clear why. Best LB in Oklahoma, maybe in the nation.
~ CB Tarell Brown (6-0, 180, 4.3) - Mesquite (North Mesquite), Texas -- Very good size, better-than-good speed. Has all the makings of a star college CB. Very good hands.
~ CB Stephen Hodge (6-1, 190, 4.4) - Dallas (Lake Highlands), Texas -- Tall, fast CB with strong cover skills. Special teams terror, too.
~ CB/WR Steve Richardson (5-10, 180, 4.4) - Garland, Texas -- Some see him as WR, some as CB. Could be very good WR, could be great CB. Has size and speed to cover any receiver.
~ S Tony Cade (6-2, 190, 4.4) - Lewisville, Texas -- Runs like a CB, hits like a LB. Being recruited very heavily and the summer's just beginning.
~ S Erick Jackson (6-2, 170, 4.5) - Duncanville, Texas -- A little lanky, but hits very hard. Knows the game and anticipates well, knowing opponents' offensive tendencies and reading QB's actions. With added weight, could be devastating.
~ S Darien Williams (5-10, 170, 4.5) - Mesquite (North Mesquite), Texas -- Smaller than mose safety prospects, but the guys he tackles will never tell you that. Might move to CB in college.

[Charleston Pony]

unfortunately, there's this thing called reality we have to deal with. SMU is not going to go toe-to-toe with the big boys from the BCS conferences and win many recruiting battles. Gotta crawl before we can walk again. You're talking about state top 100 guys. How many of the guys on those lists have even looked at SMU in the post DP years?

I'm not going to fall into a state of unrealistic optimism, but I do sense that Bennett has an infectious enthusiasm and that will help improve our recruiting. If we could somehow find a way to surprise everyone and have a 7-5 season this year, we might just sway some top players to become pioneerd in turning this program around...but if we could sign any top 100 caliber players, things will be looking up. The early commitment from the QB Meeks is certainly a start.

[Recruiting Guru]

Charleston, you're right. SMU isn't going to waltz in and have its pick of these players.

However, you're also right that Coach Bennett and his staff have an infectious enthusiasm, to use your phrase, and they have tremendous relationships with coaches throughout Texas and Oklahoma. I'm not suggesting for a minute that this list will be a segment of next year's roster - but I'll bet you right now that at least a couple of these guys end up in Dallas next year. Coach Bennett's staff has gotten off to a great start in recruiting, and it will only get better.

[Fresh]

What's the word on Steven Coleman? Any word on where he's going to camp, and who's offered?

[Coach Rob]

For more info on Steven Coleman check out <A HREF="http://www.eteamz.com/metroplexrecruiting" TARGET=_blank>www.eteamz.com/metroplexrecruiting</A>

[DallasDiehard]

Has SMU offered him yet?

[Hilltopper]

Is Jasper within 300 miles of Dallas? There's a lot of talent down there!

[Otto]

If you can get DeMarrio Pleasant to sign with the Mustangs, do it. I guarantee you haven't seen a linebacker this fast in years, probably since the 1980s. Man, can that kid run.

[Guest]

I've read that UT, A&M, Houston, Oklahoma and LSU all want DeMarrio.
What are our chances?

[This message has been edited by Horseplay (edited 06-17-2002).]