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the "Texas Football" site says Baker has committed to the Horns, but that's the only place I've seen mention of his having made any decision. Sure would like to see Bennett & staff bring in another local LB with speed to compliment Zach Hall in this class. Anyone know anything about Baker's plans?

The Morning Snooze listed Baker (603, 200) as having Miami, OU, Florida State and Notre Dame. So given the DMN's record of accuracy, it's not surprising if he commits to UT.

But he's been to SMU more than once, and he supposedly has developed a good rapport with many of the coaches and players. I'd say if his commitment to UT isn't official, we're a darkhorse to land this guy. A very dark horse, perhaps, but there's a remote chance.

I wrote here once before that Lewis Baker would be a huge pick up for the Ponies. I think he's as fast as (Lewisville HS LB) DeMarrio Pleasant, and he's a hell of a hitter. If SMU really has a shot at him, he should be way up on the priority list. From what I heard, he enjoyed the guys at SMU a lot, but I don't know if that will be enough to get him to stay home.

With all the talk of SMU bringing in a top 30 type of class, Baker has to remain a very high priority for Bennett & staff.

There is no chance in hell that Bennett will nab Baker. As much as we'd all like to see him in a Mustang uniform, we need to face reality sometime. My guess is he goes to Notre Dame.

I agree that it's very unlikely that he'll end up in Dallas. If by some chance he does, the Ponies will have a terrific prospect on their hands.

A more likely scenario is that the Ponies COULD pull in Arlington (Martin HS) LB Chase Ellis (6-2, 210), who's an inch shorter and 10 pounds heavier than Baker. Like Baker he's unbelievably fast (maybe even a step quicker than the more highly-touted Baker). Most lists I've seen have him considering Miami, Oklahoma and SMU first, followed by A&M (I don't know how the coaching shake-up in College Station has affected his interest in the Aggies), with Arkansas, Wyoming and LSU trying to get in the mix. He'll be a steal for whoever gets him.

Why hasn't he been offered?

here are his stats:
height 6-foot-3
weight 220 pounds
40-yard dash 4.56 seconds
bench max 370 pounds
squat max 420 pounds
GPA 3.8

A quote from Chase:

“I don’t really have any favorite schools because I don’t watch the teams play,” Ellis said. “I don’t watch sports, I just like to hit.”

Help me decide if that's a good thing.

[This message has been edited by SMUStudent06 (edited 12-05-2002).]

If those stats are accurate, then he has to be offered, and soon.

I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing, his attitude. I think once he gets around the Ponies and Coach Bennett and his staff, he'll develop the enthusiasm and team spirit we all want to see.

Go get him, coaches!