Webb & Rambo Verbally Commit to Kansas

[MrMustang1965]

(U-WIRE) LAWRENCE, Kan. -- After landing wide receiver Xavier Rambo just three days ago, the Kansas football team received another verbal commitment, this time from Rambo's teammate, Anthony Webb, according to rivals.com.

Webb was a first-team all-state selection last year, racking up 11 interceptions during his junior season at the cornerback position.

Webb and Rambo are both juniors at Wilmer Hutchins High School.

Webb took an unofficial visit last week to Texas. He was also considering Oklahoma, Nebraska and Texas A&M among others.

According to rivals.com, Webb is nearly as fast as Rambo and runs a 4.5-second 40-yard dash. Rambo runs a 4.4.

"Kansas is getting a great player and person. He has the instincts it takes to play corner at the Big 12 level," Wilmer Hutchins coach Mike Robinson told the recruiting Web site. "He's one of those players that comes along in every 10 years. He researched Kansas a lot after Xavier committed."

[Me]

I coach at the Hutch and can say that both of these players are fantastic and have a lot to offer at whatever school they go to. I don't like how they have been pushed to commit early and have no doubt that they are both very much still open to other possibilites. I'm trying to do my best and talk up SMU to these guys but the problem with staying in the area is that they don't get away from the bad influences that surround this place which if they stay involved with will bring them down. It is a revolving door around here with scouts everyday and they are not slowing down even with them selecting Kansas this early. There are a handful of other guys my Mustangs need to look at here at the Hutch that have a whole lot of potential.

[Higher Authority]

I coach at the Hutch and can say that both of these players are fantastic and have a lot to offer at whatever school they go to. I don't like how they have been pushed to commit early and have no doubt that they are both very much still open to other possibilites. I'm trying to do my best and talk up SMU to these guys but the problem with staying in the area is that they don't get away from the bad influences that surround this place which if they stay involved with will bring them down.

Would moving to SMU not get them away from such influences? It's close enough that their families could visit any time they want, of course, but also pretty well isolated from those influences, right? Or am I missing something here?

And tell your guys that if they don't change their commitments to SMU, you're going to run them until they puke. (Might not be legal, but that's why you're the coach, not me.)

.... It is a revolving door around here with scouts everyday and they are not slowing down even with them selecting Kansas this early. There are a handful of other guys my Mustangs need to look at here at the Hutch that have a whole lot of potential.

Who else? Got any tall, fast DBs lying around? Or a game-breaking WR? How about a nice 6'6", 335-pound OL/DT or two?

You can consider such players your alumni contribution to your alma mater.

[BUS]

Do you have any big nasty D-tackles???

We could also use a few o-linemen.
To be honest we could use a great any position player. I stress great.

With a few recruiting classes I like the way this team is being built. IF we have a 4-5 game winning season things are better. If we win 6-7 recruiting will take off.

ONE POINT - WE HAVE SOME DEPTH NOW.

[Me]

SMU is only 15 to 20 minutes away fom the Hutch so they are still very close to the already established influences. Don't get me wrong, I want any and all to go to SMU I'm just letting you know the way of thinking here. As far as other recruits goes, Webb is going to be about as good a DB as you'll find but we have a free safety that is very smart and has the desire to play. I personally think that he could be a potential prospect. We have another DB that will only be a junior but he is the real deal also. O-line, absolutely freaking nothing. A running back that can also play DB has a whole lot of potential but is getting overlooked because of Webb and Rambo. We have two HUGE d-tackles but they are really not D-1 caliber....just real big. If Hutch is still around after the tax vote this weekend then SMU really needs to keep a close eye on this place because there is a pipeline of local talent. Problem would be getting them into school because they have gone their whole academic career being "helped" and not having to work for anything. If Hutch is still around next year I adivse you to come watch a game...I think you will be impressed with what you see.

[Higher Authority]

Thanks for your effort, "me," to send some talent to the Hilltop. Good luck this season at the Hutch.

[MrMustang1965]

These young men need to be aware of the history of SMU athletics and what staying in Dallas could do for them. They need to visit the campus and tour Heritage Hall. They need to come to some games this Fall (I'll buy the tickets!) and meet some of the player/alumni such as Jerry LeVias or Eric Dickerson (if he makes an appearance). Impress upon these young men that their FAMILIES and FRIENDS can see them play Div. 1-A ball RIGHT HERE IN DALLAS against some top-caliber teams from this region. Remember: if these young men were to come to SMU, it would not be until 2006! If they red-shirted the first year (which would be the logical step) then they'd be ready for 2007-2009. As for their grades...we'll find a way to deal with that. Tutors and extra help. These young men should be aware that a degree from SMU carries a LOT more weight around here than a degree from KANSAS!

[mrydel]

Please do not be buying any tickets for prospective recruits. That is a no no. You can only have an inadvertent "bump" into them.

[Me]

1965, I agree with you entirely and bellieve me I'm trying to impress upon them the joys of SMU. However, it is hard to compete with the Big 12 and others that come knocking. I'm not making excuses because I know there aren't any other than the ones we come up with on our own. Their is a lot of tradition at SMU but there is plenty at other schools too and they play that up very well. To be honest, I haven't seen an SMU presence around here like I would like but with that said I also know that there are plenty of other high schools and the coaches can't be everywhere. There is a lot of young talent here so hopefully SMU will make this their permanent backyard and really become fixtures here...that is if Hutch is still here after the vote this weekend.

[MrMustang1965]

Please do not be buying any tickets for prospective recruits. That is a no no. You can only have an inadvertent "bump" into them.

Mea culpa. If I have season tickets and can't use a couple of them, is it kosher to give them to a possible future Mustang?

[mrydel]

Please do not be buying any tickets for prospective recruits. That is a no no. You can only have an inadvertent "bump" into them.

Mea culpa. If I have season tickets and can't use a couple of them, is it kosher to give them to a possible future Mustang?

I am not current on all of the recruiting guidelines, but whenever I ask a question of that nature of the coaching staff I am ask not to do it. We want not the slightest measure of impropriety. I do believe that giving a ticket to a prospect is a violation. That would even be true if he was your next door neighbor and had grown up with your son and spent half of his time at your house. It is possible that in that last scenerio the kids father could invite you to go along but you can not be treating any future prospects. Another consideration is that even if it is deemed ok, there is a limited number of allowable contacts, and you could be keeping the coaches from meeting with the kid and selling him on the team. If you have any questions at all as to the rights and wrongs, you should contact the Athletic Department.

[Rosebud]

1965, I agree with you entirely and bellieve me I'm trying to impress upon them the joys of SMU. However, it is hard to compete with the Big 12 and others that come knocking. I'm not making excuses because I know there aren't any other than the ones we come up with on our own. Their is a lot of tradition at SMU but there is plenty at other schools too and they play that up very well. To be honest, I haven't seen an SMU presence around here like I would like but with that said I also know that there are plenty of other high schools and the coaches can't be everywhere. There is a lot of young talent here so hopefully SMU will make this their permanent backyard and really become fixtures here...that is if Hutch is still here after the vote this weekend.

How well do you know the SMU coaches? Would you feel comfortable calling someone on the staff and saying "hey, I've got this defensive end you need to see...."? Or are they just like every other college coach to you? I would implore upon you to do everything you can, since you sound fond of SMU, to increase the lines of communication with the SMU staff, until they know every player on your roster.

Then again, I hope you're already doing this.

[Man O'War]

A legitimate recruit/prospect can get four free tickets (one for himself plus three guests) to any home game by calling the Football Office at 1-800-592-4768. If Webb and Rambo both went, they could take six teammates. This could expose a number of potential athletes at W-H, including underclassmen and future prospects, to SMU football. It could also be a team-building experience if they are leaders on your team. "Me", why don't you encourage them to take advantage of this opportunity?