Recruiting report

Hits and misses

John Killion may be getting overlooked, but he's not the first.
College football is full of players who were passed over for various reasons. And these guys have done quite well. Here are three recent ones...
*Justin Forsett (Arlington Grace Prep) - Did not sign at all on Signing Day. Now some team is going to snatch up the Cal running back (pictured) in the upcoming NFL draft.
*Chase Holbrook (L.D. Bell) - TCU, Tulsa, Missouri and Stephen F. Austin were in the mix for the Blue Raiders quarterback . Holbrook chose Southeastern Louisiana, but then transferred to New Mexico State, where he's put up crazy numbers in Hal Mumme's offense.
*Trae Johnson (SGP) - The Warriors wide receiver didn't commit until late last year, but man, Tulsa hit the jackpot. As a true freshman, he led the team in catches (67), was second in receiving yards (1,039) and tied for first in touchdown catches (11).   -Trae Thompson

Five quick thoughts

Interesting Patriots game, huh? Anyways, back to recruiting....
1.) If you pay attention closely, there's a nice horserace down the backstretch between Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M for the Big 12's top recruiting class. If Texas gets Darrell Scott, that could nudge them ahead, but if Oklahoma picks up wide receiver Julio Jones, you'd think they could lay claim to the No.1 spot. But watch A&M. Getting Cyrus Gray would be huge. Could have a photo finish here...

2.) Not smart what Oklahoma State is doing with its scholarships. You've got to think word will spread like wildfire among coaches here in north Texas....

3.) Anyone else excited about the recruiting war SMU will wage with UNT and TCU? ....

4.) If I'm a defensive player, I'd love to head to Nebraska and get a Blackshirt under Bo Pelini....

5.) OK, the first top 100 list for the 2009 class is already out. I've got to get my eyes on two quarterbacks in this state that are on that list. Just one of my longterm goals. -Trae Thompson

Five quick thoughts

Observations from the game before I head back home in a second...
1.) Pryor was the star, but Missouri fans should be excited about QB Blaine Gabbert. Gabbert completed 5-of-8 passes for 29 yards, and he threw a very tight spiral consistently.
2.) UT fans settle down. Running back Darrell Scott - who could be in the mix with the Longhorns - never had any room to run like the rest of his West teammates.
3.) I think Dan Buckner will help out Texas just fine.
4.) It was pointed out - While R.J. Washington didn't dominate the game, the East did keep running plays away from him all game.
5.) I really liked how hard DB Boubacar Cissoko played. Kid should help Michigan a ton.

-Trae Thompson

Top five

Watch enough football, and pay attention enough to recruiting, and you see some special players. As Signing Day gets closer, I figured I'd sprinkle in the occasional list (and perhaps prompt some debate and discussion). This one centers around the five best recruits I've seen who never panned out...

5.) RB, Gary Porter (Arlington High) - Before covering Southlake Carroll, I covered Arlington High from 2001-2003. Anyone who saw Porter knows how talented he was. Right after his senior year ended, though, that was it. I never saw him again at school (and heard plenty of rumors), and I remember then Colts head coach Mickey Finley telling me about the list of college coaches that coveted him.

4.) QB Ron Powlus (Notre Dame) - You feel bad that a kid is hyped up to win multiple Heismans in college. I saw him play twice in person. Both times, I wondered what the hype was all about.

3.) QB Rhett Bomar (Oklahoma) - We all know the story by now. I always enjoyed him, and his dad, but wondered what he and Adrian Peterson could have accomplished together.

2.) RB, Cecil Collins (LSU) - LSU fans and alums like myself will never forget the Diesel. Problems with the law forced him to transfer to McNeese State, and he was still drafted by the Miami Dolphins. So, so, so, good. He was an all-pro in the making.

1.) RB, Benny Butler (Oklahoma) - Never seen a back like him. He signed with Oklahoma, but once again, got in trouble and never did anything. His old high school principal is a friend of the family, and I'd get occasional reports on where he was, or someone spotting him. 

....Anyways, send me along your choices. I'm sure there's some other good ones. -Trae Thompson