2 East Texas Commits

[Recruiting Guru]

LaCori Johnson is a 5-9, 175-pound corner who's another flier in the Jessie Henderson mold. Runs a legit 4.3 and anchored all three relay teams on Atlanta High's track team -- and all three relays won the state championships.

Hawkins is a big receiver (6-2, 190, 4.5) from Longview (Pine Tree HS). His receiving numbers weren't stellar (I think he had 20-something receptions), but that' because he spent more than half the year at running back when Pine Tree's starting RB got hurt. Some schools were recruiting him to play defense (SS or OLB). He's not a Johnson/Henderson-like sprinter, but he's pretty fast for a big kid, and given his RB experience, he's also a good open-field runner.

Some might call these guys sleepers, but they're both good pickups for the Ponies.

[SoCal_Pony]

Originally posted by Recruiting Guru:
Some schools were recruiting him

Do we know the specific schools that showed interest and/or offered these kids?

[Stallion]

they weren't in the Rivals or Insiders Database but I'll lend some credibility to the observation that East Texas has numerous great prospects who do not get the attention to the recruiting services because they just don't have the media outlets that spotlight the kids. For example, Dallas Washington who committed to Arkansas and had numerous other top offers were virtually unknown in the recruiting circles even as of mid December. LaCori Johnson if nothing else looks like a tremendous athlete as he was the anchor on three sprint relay teams that won 3A state championships and ensured the Team State Championship. It looks to me that Bennett in the last two classes has turned a team weekness-speed-into a strength at least in the last two classes. However, I still have some concerns that we are really small at some of these positions-which has really kicked us in the butt in the last few years against outstanding WR like Nate Burleson, Rashawn Woods, et al.

<small>[ 02-03-2004, 03:15 PM: Message edited by: Stallion ]</small>

[PlanoStang]

You read my mind Stallion. We don't need any 5'9" 175lb. corners. Woods eats those up for between snack snacks.

Not to say that Woods got away with pushing off the little guys a lot of times ala Irvin, because refs don't throw flags on potential, or previous A-Americans.

[Mike Damone]

Guys, sure it would be great to have some big corners, but give me speed and cover ability any day over height. I'm not going to do the research, but I would bet that the average NFL corner is under 6'0". Last year's top corners drafted, Terrence Newman and Marcus Trufant both measured in at 5'11".

There are very few, if any, corners that have the height to match up with the Roy Williams and Randy Moss's of the world. I would say, on average, most corners give up a couple of inches to recievers.

[PlanoStang]

Does verticle leap, turning around at the right time to look for the ball, and wanting to HIT somebody come into play? :hmm:

I think I like the 5'11" 195lb. guy better.

<small>[ 02-03-2004, 05:02 PM: Message edited by: PlanoStang ]</small>

[Lotus]

Johnson is legit on the speed -- that 4.3 is accurate. And unlike some other speed corners (Deion Sanders?) this kid loves to hit. He hits harder than any little guy I've ever seen. (Admittedly, I've only seen him play once, but I've talked to people who have seen him more. In the game I saw, he just about ripped two kids out of their cleats and left several very slow getting up.) He's small, but he'll crack you. Hard. And he has good cover skills and leaping ability to go with that speed. He's a player.

[dandyfan]

guys throw the tape measure away. what lotus said is absolutly true. and i saw a lot more than one game.

[Cheesesteak]

Posted by Lotus:

...And unlike some other speed corners (Deion Sanders?) this kid loves to hit. He hits harder than any little guy I've ever seen...In the game I saw, he just about ripped two kids out of their cleats and left several very slow getting up. He's small, but he'll crack you. Hard.

I can almost hear bodies colliding.

SMU needs more fast, hard-hitting fire-breathers.

<small>[ 02-04-2004, 02:19 AM: Message edited by: Cheesesteak ]</small>