Defensive tackle, tight end eyeing SMU

[Lotus]

Two more players have SMU on their lists:

- Michael Barone (6-4, 245, 5.0) is a 3-star recruit and was an all-district tight end last year at North Mesquite High School, despite having just one catch for 12 yards. Some project him to add weight and move to offensive line in college. With tailback (and former teammate) Tarell Brown now headed to Texas, Barone is looking for the ball to come his way more often this season.

At this point, he's listing Oklahoma State, SMU, Texas Tech and TCU, with equal interest in each. He has no scholarship offers yet.

- James McClinton (6-0, 303, 5.1), is a defensive tackle at Garland (Lakeview Centennial). McClinton brings size, quickness and experience back to the defensive tackle position for head coach Flint Risien this season after being named all-district in 2002.

At this point, he's listing Oklahoma State, SMU, Texas Tech, TCU and Baylor, with equal interest in each. He hasn't received any offers yet.v

[DallasDiehard]

I've heard of McClinton before - he's supposed to be good. This has to make BUS pretty happy.

How is a tight end all-district and a 3-star guy when he only had one catch?

And with such a limited number of scholarships to give, do we really need to sign two tight ends? Vincent Chase is going to be great.b

[PonyTales]

Get them both! I've seen them both play. McClinton is a horse - once he's planted, he's not moving. He clogs the middle really well, and is surprisingly quick for his size. And Barone runs pretty well (that 5.0 seems a little slow) and has a great frame. As far as I can tell, he could bulk up to play OL, or flip over to DE. But either way, he's a terrific athlete, and you can't have too many of those..

[Lotus]

Update (July on North Mesquite TE Michael Barone: he now has an offer from Arkansas.

[MustangFan]

I agree with Diehard - I'm not sure we can afford two scholarships on tight ends, and Vincent Chase is our man.

[Stallion]

that's ridiculous-you are recruiting players not positions-great athletes can always be moved and tall, strong TEs are some of the most versitile you can recruit-he might end up at OT, OG, DE, DT, or LB. Plus you need two TEs for short yardage situations.

[PonyTales]

So our tight ends in 2004 will be Ryan Kennedy, Vincent Chase, Derek Swofford and Mark Hodges, right? I assume Kennedy and Chase would be in there in short-yardage situations.