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....the following is a realistic view of the Top Recruits SMU appears to be focusing on in the coming weeks. Most have or will visit SMU and all have expressed recent interest in SMU in recent weeks-however not all the teams listed have offered yet: 1) Ath Stephen Hodge, Tatum(TCU, SMU, Bay, UH) 2) RB/Ath James Mapps -Royce City- SMU, Rice? Navy? 3)LM Quinton Johnson, PA Memorial (SMU, Iowa St, Grambling, LSU), 4) CB/Ath Columbus Givens, Killeen (SMU, UTEP) 5) QB Justin Willis Denton Ryan (NM, SMU, Tulsa, Kan. St) 6) LM Patrick Handy Spring Westfield (SMU, UTEP, ISU) 7) LB Terrence Flagg (TCU, SMU, ISU, Minn, Tech) S Ray Sims Corsicana (SMU, Tulsa, Kansas, Utah, La-M, La-Laf) 9) DE Moton Hopkins-Universal City (SMU, AF, NMSU, Rice, Tulsa) 10) LB Cedrick Godfrey Cedar Hill (SMU, Bay, Tulsa, UTEP), 11) S/RB Carl Taylor Dallas Carter (SMU, Minn, Tenn., WSU, TCU, Duke, La. Mon). Did I miss anybody? Oh I forgot! Julius "Big Cat" Henderson!

Thanks for the update... and make sure that you keep the Big Cat news up to date

We don't want Julius - too slow, and he wants to be a lawyer. I hear from "sources close to recruiting" that we already pulled our offer.

BONUS PROSPECTS: Two interesting prospects who both appear to have the physical ability to play Division 1A

1) LB Chris Mitchell (6-1, 215)-(SMU, Kan., Kan St. and Central Michigan)---Total SPARQ Rating at College Station Nike Camp- 78.8- 40 (4.53-1st out of 43), Shuttle (4.32 10th out of 38), Bench (23-3rd out of 46) and Vertical (31 11th out of 48)
2) Peter Buchinani (6-3, 220) (SMU, Central Mich and Northern Illinois----Total SPARQ rating among the Top 10 in the Country-1st in every category among 11 TE at the Iowa Nike Camp with a 4.59 in the 40, 4.28 in the Shuttle, 33 in the press and 33 in the Vertical.

And I hear there are other good ones visiting in January that are not on Stallion's list that we would want as well.

you are correct sir, anything can happen!

From Stallion's list(s) and others, here's who I see as priorities based on what I've read about them:

1. Stephen Hodge
2. Quinton Johnson
3. Chris Mitchell
4. Columbus Givens
5. Moton Hopkins
6. Ross Nigh
7. Carl Taylor
8. Peter Buchinani

They really, really like Moton Hopkins. He IS a priority.

Sources close to me in east Texas have the Tatum kid Hodge leaning toward TCU.

RGV Pony wrote:Sources close to me in east Texas have the Tatum kid Hodge leaning toward TCU.

That's too bad. Hopefully he'll come to his senses.

What other schools is Hopkins considering?

well duh! scroll up-you know I try to make it easy for ya......

dont count coach jerry out yet on his east texas recruiting. he has been hitting the trail pretty hard...i understand.

I don't know where the coaches stand on the guy, but Chris Mitchell should be an absolute must-sign. The guy is tough as nails, hits like a runaway train and makes play after play after play after play....

UPDATE on Chris Mitchell-appears to be between Kansas, SMU, Central Michigan and Texas State. He claims an offer from SMU(his only offer) which he has now for months and said he may visit SMU. His only other visit is scheduled for Central Michigan on 1/14. Something seems fishy though about why he hasn't committed or at least does not and has not shown more enthusiasm for SMU over the last few months when his options seem limited. I noted a great GPA of 3.9 but poor ACT of 17. But then he had a very acceptable 970 SAT which should fully qualify him.

Very interesting.
For what it's worth, I have friends whose sons have played against the Mitchell kid. He (father) said Mitchell was the one player on the field his sons' team couldn't do anything about. He said the kid is absolutely relentless and very fast.