SMU Signing Day Roundup in Houston

[MustangIcon]

Hadn't seen anyone post about this but I wanted to share a few things just in case people hadn't heard much about it.

- The event was held in the Saturday evening at 5pm in the South Endzone Club Level of Rice Stadium. Smart move so that alums could attend the roundup until 6:30 before walking over for the SMU-Rice Hoops game. Well done event with snacks and complimentary beer and wine.

- Attendance was not so great from the fan base. I would guess 40-60 people. Coach Philips, Mason, and Suan made the trip down from Dallas- as did Tim Leonard, Bob Sharp and a couple others. SMU great Jerry Ball was at the event and also former Houston sports writer, and big SMU fan, Kenny Hand.

- Prior to the presentation talking to Mason he mentioned that it was hard waling into Rice Stadium for this event what happened earlier this year and that it felt like a "punch to the gut".

- Prior to the presentation Philips was asked how much we would see some on the concepts from the UH incorporated. He, very respectfully, mentioned that "June is pretty set with his offense and likes to do things like he always has" but as you can see we did add in the read option and let the QB scramble a bit last year so we may do a few more things like that. When asked what prompted that change last season, his response "it got to a point where we had to do whatever we needed to win ball games"

- Mason and Philips led the presentation on the signees. Mason started of by stating that we may have heard negative press about this class but not to worry about that because stars don't mean anything and the guys assigning those stars have never recruited before. He assured us it was the best class in his time at SMU and we are getting much bigger, better athletes. Philips made numerous references to his time at "the school across town here" and that these are the kind of athletes they recruited there and these are the kind of athletes that helped them beat BCS teams and have 10+ win seasons, what we are striving for. Essentially, lots of coach speak.

- Mason specifically called out the big DE from Plano who had only played 1 year of football and the raw Olineman from American Samoa as guys who are tremendous athletes and compared them to SEC recruits and examples of why the recruiting services don't know what they are talking about. What he failed to mention is that while their frames are BCS worthy, they are raw, unpolished and nowhere near ready to see the field at SMU, much less an SEC school. SEC schools get guys with those measurable-s and are ready to play.

- Individual prospects:
- Minor will compete for a Dline spot this year. Though they say he easily could play NT, he is really meant to be a DE and that is where he will thrive and where they would like to keep him. Told a good story about Philips being in Louisiana for a recruiting trip. Coach of Lamar called him and said Tech would be at Lamar to meet with Minor at 12pm the next day. Philips said he was in Houston, at Lamar HS, waiting in the coaches' office at 11am before the Tech guys got there. I liked that one.
- Shead. They mentioned he would be no Line (no harm there) but all they did was talk about his character and that he is a high character guy and was a former UT 4 star. Nothing about his ability. The guy had a pretty great year at Navarro- tell me something about him!
- A few players are guys that Philips knew their fathers from UH, or the NFL, or what not
- Gaines they seem super high on. Really view him as a game changer. Also had good things to say about Taylor.
- Crosby- talked a lot about his modeling career
- Kolney- very accurate passer. Injury and the fact that he was in a remote hard to get to location helped us keep him. Limited to no mobility.
- Dickerson and Lancaster- impact players in return game, something we have lacked a lot of
- Deion Jr.- chip on his shoulder bc he wants to make a name for himself rather than being Deion's kid. One of the hardest workers and a leader in practice/weightroom, etc. Mentioned he doesn't have great speed and isn't a breakaway guy- which worries me for a 5'7 receiver.
- Mentioned for almost everyone that they were such good athletes they could easily play on either side of the ball

There was obviously much more said but these were some of the highlights that stuck out in my mind.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Thanks for the report.

I'm surprised Rice let us host an event on their campus!

[Water Pony]

Hadn't seen anyone post about this but I wanted to share a few things just in case people hadn't heard much about it.

- The event was held in the Saturday evening at 5pm in the South Endzone Club Level of Rice Stadium. Smart move so that alums could attend the roundup until 6:30 before walking over for the SMU-Rice Hoops game. Well done event with snacks and complimentary beer and wine.

- Attendance was not so great from the fan base. I would guess 40-60 people. Coach Philips, Mason, and Suan made the trip down from Dallas- as did Tim Leonard, Bob Sharp and a couple others. SMU great Jerry Ball was at the event and also former Houston sports writer, and big SMU fan, Kenny Hand.

- Prior to the presentation talking to Mason he mentioned that it was hard waling into Rice Stadium for this event what happened earlier this year and that it felt like a "punch to the gut".

- Prior to the presentation Philips was asked how much we would see some on the concepts from the UH incorporated. He, very respectfully, mentioned that "June is pretty set with his offense and likes to do things like he always has" but as you can see we did add in the read option and let the QB scramble a bit last year so we may do a few more things like that. When asked what prompted that change last season, his response "it got to a point where we had to do whatever we needed to win ball games"

- Mason and Philips led the presentation on the signees. Mason started of by stating that we may have heard negative press about this class but not to worry about that because stars don't mean anything and the guys assigning those stars have never recruited before. He assured us it was the best class in his time at SMU and we are getting much bigger, better athletes. Philips made numerous references to his time at "the school across town here" and that these are the kind of athletes they recruited there and these are the kind of athletes that helped them beat BCS teams and have 10+ win seasons, what we are striving for. Essentially, lots of coach speak.

- Mason specifically called out the big DE from Plano who had only played 1 year of football and the raw Olineman from American Samoa as guys who are tremendous athletes and compared them to SEC recruits and examples of why the recruiting services don't know what they are talking about. What he failed to mention is that while their frames are BCS worthy, they are raw, unpolished and nowhere near ready to see the field at SMU, much less an SEC school. SEC schools get guys with those measurable-s and are ready to play.

- Individual prospects:
- Minor will compete for a Dline spot this year. Though they say he easily could play NT, he is really meant to be a DE and that is where he will thrive and where they would like to keep him. Told a good story about Philips being in Louisiana for a recruiting trip. Coach of Lamar called him and said Tech would be at Lamar to meet with Minor at 12pm the next day. Philips said he was in Houston, at Lamar HS, waiting in the coaches' office at 11am before the Tech guys got there. I liked that one.
- Shead. They mentioned he would be no Line (no harm there) but all they did was talk about his character and that he is a high character guy and was a former UT 4 star. Nothing about his ability. The guy had a pretty great year at Navarro- tell me something about him!
- A few players are guys that Philips knew their fathers from UH, or the NFL, or what not
- Gaines they seem super high on. Really view him as a game changer. Also had good things to say about Taylor.
- Crosby- talked a lot about his modeling career
- Kolney- very accurate passer. Injury and the fact that he was in a remote hard to get to location helped us keep him. Limited to no mobility.
- Dickerson and Lancaster- impact players in return game, something we have lacked a lot of
- Deion Jr.- chip on his shoulder bc he wants to make a name for himself rather than being Deion's kid. One of the hardest workers and a leader in practice/weightroom, etc. Mentioned he doesn't have great speed and isn't a breakaway guy- which worries me for a 5'7 receiver.
- Mentioned for almost everyone that they were such good athletes they could easily play on either side of the ball

There was obviously much more said but these were some of the highlights that stuck out in my mind.

Thanks for taking the time to compose a recap, Icon. Much appreciated and encouraging. Although Hope is not a plan, neither is Chicken Little a spokesman for the direction we are heading.

[Stallion]

I wonder why we are afraid to play mid-level Big 12 teams at home then?

[PonySnob]

The coaches continue to play the "diamond in the rough" and "under the radar" recruiting card..........wonder how many 2 star or players who weren't looked at by other BCS teams, are on the roster at Alabama or LSU, etc.

[smusportspage]

I wonder why we are afraid to play mid-level Big 12 teams at home then?

Good question because if SMU plays to it"s potential, those mid level Big 12 teams are definitely beatable.

[mrydel]

I like the statement that they changed up the offense to do whatever was necessary to win ball games. What a novel concept.

[Hal]

The coaches continue to play the "diamond in the rough" and "under the radar" recruiting card..........wonder how many 2 star or players who weren't looked at by other BCS teams, are on the roster at Alabama or LSU, etc.

You really think we're at the point where we're recruiting the same players Alabama and LSU are recruiting? We have to find guys who will grow, develop, etc. Those schools are picking from HS All-Americans who have a chance to play immediately at an SEC school. Based on what they have found in guys like Ja'Gared Davis, Taylor Reed, Zach Line, etc., and some of the walk-ons who turned out to be studs at Houston, if Mason and Phillips like a player, I'm definitely giving that player the benefit of the doubt.

[MustangIcon]

I like the statement that they changed up the offense to do whatever was necessary to win ball games. What a novel concept.

Agreed. Basically it was something June resisted until he realized we wouldn't make a bowl playing "his way." When he started to feel heat, he allowed some changes.

[ponyboy]

Do you have any actual knowledge that this is the way JJ thinks? He's shown a greater than average faith in his way, but will adjust when circumstances call for it. Best example of that is what he's done with the running back talent he's been given here at SMU. More 1000 yard rushers here than he ever had anywhere else because.... gasp.... he adjusted.

[AusTxPony]

Are we afraid to play mid-level Big 12 teams? I hadn't seen or heard that from the Coaches, what was Stallion referring to? I do think it would be nice to throw in a lower level team each year as well, especially in the first two games, since we seem not to be so ready to play/win in September.

[Water Pony]

Are we afraid to play mid-level Big 12 teams? I hadn't seen or heard that from the Coaches, what was Stallion referring to? I do think it would be nice to throw in a lower level team each year as well, especially in the first two games, since we seem not to be so ready to play/win in September.

Stallion (as well as I) was reacting to posters, who felt we should avoid A&M, much less Baylor. I say we have to get in the ring and go the distance with our former SWC mates and their new friends in the Big XII.

[Mexmustang]

I think many of us feel that the non-conference games should have mix of tune ups and a couple of old rivals. Three maybe over the top.

NTU, Rice, Florida Int'l would normally be available, but those are the teams UT warms up on.

[mrydel]

Do you have any actual knowledge that this is the way JJ thinks? He's shown a greater than average faith in his way, but will adjust when circumstances call for it. Best example of that is what he's done with the running back talent he's been given here at SMU. More 1000 yard rushers here than he ever had anywhere else because.... gasp.... he adjusted.

I have the knowledge of what Mustangicon said Phillips told him, and Mustangicon has never lied to me before.

[Dairy Crampus]

Good summary. A few comments to add - it was great that the coaches who recruited the kids actually did the presentations and gave insights vs. June only (who talked last year). I really like these assistants. Curious that Rick Hart couldn’t make it. Tim Leonard did a fine job and I don’t remember if Orsini was in Houston last year but Hart just seems MIA all the time - maybe it's me. Very small turnout - maybe a fourth of last year. One thing that is good/bad in my opinion is that for a good number of the recruits there was a clear personal connection between the player/players family and one of our coaches. NFL with Phillips, Arizona HS coach/Samoa and June etc. That's good, an advantage and has led to what seem to be some really good kids, but I'd also like to think we are truly "recruiting" other kid too as well vs. heavily depending on previous relationships. Weird to be in the Rice R room which is the glassed in section above the south end zone where Rice alumni/leadership watch the games. Never thought I'd be up there. There is a wooden table in the back that is signed/carved by all the old Rice coaches throughout time - Hatfield et al that was pretty neat.