Love what assistant coach Bruce Bell says about Rivals recruit rankings. "When we sit down and look at kids on film, that's how we make a determination. Film doesn't lie. If he happens to be a Rivals guy, then he's a Rivals guy"
Football: Speed to burn
Mean Green signs 25 in hopes of getting faster
10:09 AM CST on Thursday, February 3, 2005
By Brett Vito / Staff Writer
North Texas coach Darrell Dickey gave his recruiting coordinator Bruce Bell specific instructions before the Mean Green set out to compile their 2005 recruiting class.
Dickey wanted players with speed, a need UNT believes it addressed Wednesday when the Mean Green released a list of 25 players who signed letters of intent with UNT on national signing day.
The group featured players who built their reputation by blowing by opponents in the high school ranks.
"As an overall group, this might be one of the fastest classes we have had," Dickey said. "Our football team has gotten better as we have gotten faster. We are continuing to bring in more speed."
Signing players with speed took on added importance this winter after three of the Mean Green’s starting defensive backs completed their careers. UNT has several players on its roster who could fill those roles, but added signees who will compete for playing time.
Korey Washington accounted for a little less than 3,000 yards of total offense last season while leading Cedar Park to the Class 5A state quarterfinals. The former quarterback is expected to move to cornerback in fall practice.
Bell said Desmon Chatman of Conroe and Dominique Green of Lawton, Okla., Eisenhower could also develop into standout defensive backs because of their sprinter speed.
UNT supplemented a class filled with future defensive backs and wide receivers with a few linemen who were among the top-rated players the Mean Green signed.
Defensive end Willie Ransom earned honorable mention All-Jayhawk Conference honors after posting nine sacks as a sophomore at Coffeyville Community College. Rivals.com, a Web site that covers college football recruiting, rated Ransom as a three-star recruit.
Ransom will join UNT in the fall. Five other members of UNT’s class have already enrolled in school and will participate in spring practice.
Tight end Jimmy Chaney, defensive lineman Tyler Pistole of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M and defensive back Gary Oubre of Coffeyville are already on campus.
Those three players and offensive lineman Mike Mazzola of Culver City, Calif., should all have a chance to make an immediate impact. Linebacker Ryan Davenport will also participate in spring practice.
"In certain areas of our football team, players will have chance to make an impact quicker than they have in the past," Dickey said. "Some young people who have not played before are going to have to step up. They may already be here, or they might be on this piece of paper [UNT’s signing list]."
While Ransom is UNT’s top-ranked recruit, several other Mean Green signees have impressive credentials. Green, tight end Charley Brown of Muskogee Hilldale, defensive back Antoine Bush of Tyler, offensive lineman Bryan Glass of Paris all received some form of all-state recognition.
The Houston Chronicle ranks tight end Eddrick Gilmore as one of the top 100 recruits in the state, while recruiting analyst Max Emfinger lists Washington No. 129 on his list of the top 150 playmakers in the state.
Gilmore and Washington were among the few UNT recruits who were ranked among the top players in the area or state by recruiting analysts. Dickey and Bell both said they were pleased with the players they landed, despite the fact only a few were rated.
"When we sit down and look at kids on film, that is how we make our determination," Bell said. "We don’t look to see who is a Rivals guy. Film does not lie. We know what we are looking for. If he happens to be a Rivals guy, then he is a Rivals guy."
UNT will continue to follow its method of searching for players in case the Mean Green decide they need an experienced quarterback, as Scott Hall graduated after last season.
The loss of Hall leaves UNT without an experienced quarterback for next season. UNT will look to a group of young quarterbacks in spring practice, including Daniel Meager and Joey Byerly. Dickey could look to the junior college ranks if a starter does not emerge in spring practice.
"A lot will be determined by what happens this spring," Dickey said. "We have always had a scholarship available for needs that develop. We might have to go out and look for a junior college quarterback. We have never had that situation in the past and we may not have it this year. We may end up feeling comfortable with what we have."
Dickey is confident that if that need arises, UNT will be able to capitalize on the school’s new athletic center and several other drawing cards.
"The doors are much more open than they used to be," Dickey said. "In the past we were out if kids went to other places and saw nice facilities. Now if they visit North Texas, we are still in the picture."
Other schools recruited several UNT signees, including Green and Gilmore. Green turned down Ohio and Wyoming, while Gilmore switched his commitment from UTEP to UNT. Those players helped build what Dickey considered a solid class based on speed.
"I am very excited about this class and the progress we are making in recruiting," Dickey said. "The area that shows me that we are making the most progress is that of the kids we offered scholarships to only four said no and went somewhere else. That is a compliment to our coaching staff and the success we have had on the field, but the biggest difference is the athletic center."
