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Latest On Delvon Simmons
We begin this week's RRC the same way that we did last week and the week before
that, with an update on McKeesport (Pa.) defensive lineman Delvon
Simmons, who finally received his release from North Carolina earlier
this week. We caught up with Simmons' coach, Jim Ward, late Thursday and got the
absolute latest on the situation.
How did the release process play out?
JW: "After not hearing anything at all from them for weeks we
received a letter with the release on Monday. Delvon had to sign it along with
his aunt and that was done on Tuesday. We faxed it that day and Wednesday
morning I got a call from UNC. They said they'd email me the full release, so
after we had that in hand he was released and that's when it became official. He
was released without restriction and he's free to go anywhere.
What is the timetable now for a decision?
JW: "I think it's more me, than it is him, that wants to get
this thing done quickly. We talked about a timeframe today and his thought was
that he kind of wanted some more. He has an ACT coming up in the first part of
April and he was talking about getting that out of the way first. But I've
shared with him some thoughts on why that might not be a great idea.
"I think when this initially came about we talked about getting our plan lined
up so when he was officially released he would have a good idea of what he wants
to do. He's not a kid that enjoys the recruiting process in terms of all the
attention, he's actually the opposite of that. I think he wants to be sure and
he knows that although he has some incredible opportunities at some great
schools, he'll have to also turn down a terrific opportunity from someone else.
"So I think with him there is some apprehension about taking that next step and
making that decision quickly. At the end of the day, he's just a kid that is
wanting to make sure he makes the right choice. I think sometimes it's
'paralysis by analysis' and all of the information can just weigh a kid down.
"Getting this thing over quickly is something we'll continue to talk about a
lot, though. I also don't want to pressure him into making a decision when he's
not sure. So we've got to take just a bit of time to evaluate the situation and
make sure it's the right decision instead of just a quick decision."
What has the reaction been like from other programs since his release?
JW: "My phone is ringing non-stop and there are schools across
the country that have reached out to let him know they have sincere interest.
It's been quite a few, but that wasn't a surprise. He's a tremendous talent."
Are there other programs that could work their way into the picture
alongside Tech and USC?
JW: "It's hard to say. Initially Delvon came to me with USC and
Texas Tech as the two schools he wanted to decide between. Sometimes it's hard
for him to say no to people that have developed strong relationships with him.
It's difficult to tell great programs that he's not interested. I think it's
possible that a school could get his attention, but again, he's out of official
visits and those unofficials cost money. He may want to see other schools, but
he's already seen five. And with unofficials he's seen even more. There's not
much more to see. I guess it's possible that an Auburn or a Pitt could get his
ear, but I don't think this thing needs to be more than the two (Tech/USC). I
don't want to create confusion with four or five schools jumping into the mix. I
think that just waters down what he originally wanted. Texas Tech and USC were
the two schools he originally came to me with.
"He's a young kid, and of course he's going to be impressionable for other
schools. For a guy in his position it becomes difficult to tell some people no,
but he'll have to. That's part of it. There's only one school that's going to
get him and he just has to learn to understand that."
- Cowan
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Abilene Cooper Coach Talks Nicholas
Abilene Copper head coach Todd Moebes is somewhat familiar with the City of
Abilene's recent success with collegiate quarterbacks in the form of Taylor
Potts from Abilene H.S. and Houston's Case Keenum from Cooper.
But Moebes said his star quarterback, and Texas Tech's latest offer at the
position, Clayton Nicholas reminds him of a quarterback he saw daily while
coaching Katy H.S.'s defense -- TCU's Andy Dalton.
"One comparison I have made and do know at the high school level is Andy
Dalton," Moebes said. "I'm from Katy and was around and know Andy and (Nicholas)
is very comparable as far as able to make all of the throws. I think one thing
that makes Clayton a complete quarterback, he's not good really at one thing, he
can make all of the throws."
Moebes considers Nicholas one of the top quarterbacks in Texas, if not the
nation.
Moebes made a point to reinforce his initial statements on Nicholas' ability to
make any throw time and time again. To boot, Moebes said Nicholas might be the
rarest athlete he has seen.
"He's just a very gifted athlete," Moebes said. "A lot of people don't know this
but he throws the football right handed but then he plays on our baseball team
and pitches left handed. I don't know if I've ever been around or heard of many
guys that can do that.
"But it just shows the athleticism and you can do things with Clayton, because
he has such a strong arm and he can make a lot of throws, you can do things that
you can't do with a normal type of quarterback."
Nicholas threw for more than 3,000 yards as a junior and he will be working with
a new set of receivers this season. Consequently, Moebes, scouts and fans will
be able to see how quickly Nicholas can adjust to changes.
As far as character concerns go, Moebes said Nicholas is the leader of the team.
"He's a stand up guy," Moebes said. "He's just kind of an All-American boy. He's
just kind of a ‘yes sir, no sir' guy. He's got a good family and just a stand
out young man."
Moebes, who is involved in Nicholas' recruitment, also said Tech would be a
great place for his quarterback to end up and Nicholas is definitely considering
the Red Raiders' offer.
"I think he does," Moebes said. "I think he's weighing his options. Tech is a
great place to be. They've got a great coaching staff and great tradition and
it's a great place to play. So yeah, I would say Clayton has a lot of interest
in Tech."
- Graham
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Cardinal Gibbons LB Visiting Tech
Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Cardinal Gibbons outside linebacker prospect Erick
Hallmon's recruiting is starting to pick up. To this date, Hollmon has received
offers from Texas Tech, West Virginia and Western Kentucky but he see says those
are not the only schools that are interested in him.
"I am getting a lot of interest and letters from other schools but right now
those are the only ones that have offered me to play for them," he said. "I have
coaches keeping me up with me on Facebook and sending me letters about how they
want me to come down for a visit if I can make time for them."
Even with the growing interest in Hallmon, no school is standing out to him
until he knows more about each school.
"Not really right now, I am just waiting for my senior year to get all of that
done. I am just trying to see what schools are looking at me and then look up
the best schools to see what the best fit is. I am still in the process of doing
that so that is all I am worried about right now, not really looking to make a
uniformed decision."
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound prospect hopes to learn more about one of the schools
that offered him when he visits the South Plains this weekend for Texas Tech's
junior day and spring game. Hallmon is not a stranger to Texas Tech; his
ex-teammate is current Red Raider player Shawn Corker.
"Our receiver from two years ago went down there. We talk every once in a while
and he tells me that it is a great program and a great school. He tells me the
game day atmosphere down there is amazing. I am going out there this Friday to
get down there for the junior day and Spring day this weekend. I am really
excited about getting down there and hanging out with all the guys down there."
Hallmon keeps in touch with most of the Red Raider coaching staff through mail
and Facebook. Other than checking out the athletics at Texas Tech, Erick has
other things he hopes to check out down in Lubbock.
"The main thing I am looking for down there is to see the campus and the
buildings down there. I am looking at this trip to see more of the educational
trip to see what my major could be and then the athletic part is just a plus. I
want to get an education and the way to do that is to go to a good college."
Hallmon says Texas Tech is recruiting him to play one of the linebacker
positions or if he can get a little bit faster he will get a shot to play safety
in the new system.
"We just talk about how competitive Texas football is down over there. We talk
about that and how that school is up and coming and we could be part of
something special together."
Hallmon has offers from Texas Tech, West Virginia and Western Kentucky, he is
also receiving interest from Duke, Louisville, LSU, Miami, Northwestern,
Vanderbilt and Wake Forest
- Hair
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Neal Is Blowing Up
Texas Tech was the first to step in with an offer for McKeesport (Pa.) T.J.
Neal, and several other programs have since followed suit.
"He's up to seven offers now. Syracuse and Rutgers came today," according to his
head coach Jim Ward. "He went to West Virginia's junior day. Pitt invited him to
come down, and Auburn has invited him to visit. Auburn is another school that is
recruiting him pretty heavily right now. I think he'll go down to see Pitt and
West Virginia has invited him back for a spring practice. NC State has reached
out to him as well. Proximity has obviously helped them out with that. He may
take a couple of trips to see a school or two this summer, but we'll see."
The efforts of Robert Prunty during the 2011 recruiting cycle seem to already be
paying dividends with Neal and beyond.
"Robert Prunty is as good as they come in terms of being a person. I don't know
that it gets any better. T.J. is aware of the impact Coach Prunty has left on
our high school through his dealings with Branden and Delvon. So are the rest of
our athletes," Ward said. "These other guys hear what kind of person he is
through those two (Jackson & Simmons), and so there's a continued respect with
T.J."
"I think there is a level of trust T.J. has with those coaches because of his
teammates and their admiration for Coach Prunty, as well as Coach Tuberville.
Basically Texas Tech in general. So there is a comfort level with T.J. and Tech
that you don't get with every other school. That obviously kind of gets Tech's
foot in the door and I completely believe that T.J. will really want to take a
good look at their program. We will certainly evaluate his opportunity to fit in
down there."
Neal currently holds offers from NC State, Pitt, Rutgers, Syracuse, Texas Tech,
USC, and West Virginia.
- Cowan?
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Robertson Checks Out Tech's Practices
Future Texas Tech player LaDarrin Robertson has been visiting Lubbock this week,
catching this week's football practices and he plans to stay in town until after
Saturday's spring game.
But a Tech football player is all that we can call Robertson right now. It's
still not clear what position Robertson will play will play for the Red Raiders
even though he signed his National Letter of Intent in February.
"They don't know if I'm going to be defense or offense this next year,"
Robertson said. "They're looking at me as an athlete so that's where I'm at.
Most likely, I hope, defense."
For what it's worth, Robertson's primary contact on the Red Raider coaching
staff defensive line coach Sam McElroy.
Robertson played safety during his sophomore and juniors seasons at Longview
(Texas) before being moved to quarterback for his senior campaign.
It's also worth noting Robertson spent some time talking with uncommitted 2012
recruit Reginald Davis during Tech's Thursday spring practice, a receiver that
holds offers from Tech and the likes of Notre Dame, Oklahoma Texas A&M and
Baylor.
Robertson said he had heard of Davis because both players hail from East Texas.
"I heard he was ranked high," Robertson said. "I've heard he's pretty good and I
hope he comes to Tech."
- Graham
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Misc. Tidbits
* There is a possibility that Clayton Nicholas won't be able to make it to
Tech's spring game on Saturday due to a potential conflict with baseball.
* Erick Hollman isn't the only Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Cardinal Gibbons standout
that will be here this weekend. His teammate, defensive back Nicco Whigham will
be in town as well.
* Wylie (Texas) offensive lineman Kyle Fuller listed Tech and Oregon as his two
leaders during a conversation with RRS earlier this week. He told us he does not
plan on making a decision until "after the season."
* San Antonio (Texas) Brandeis cornerback Colin Blake is expected to attend
Tech's junior day on Saturday.
- Dickens, Level, Hair
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This post was edited on 3/28 1:22 PM by A. Dickens
