Football Recruiting - Midlands Region: Jake Oliver
Montrel Meander flips to Texas after visit
February, 4, 2013
Feb 4
7:26
PM ET
By
Max Olson | ESPN.com
Only three days after Texas coaches first contacted a Washington State commit, he has flipped his verbal pledge and will sign with the Longhorns.
Three-star Amarillo (Texas) Palo Duro receiver Montrel Meander confirmed to HornsNation in a text message that he's committed to Texas.
Meander originally committed to playing safety at Washington State on Jan. 20, but Texas receivers coach Darrell Wyatt stunned him by showing up at Palo Duro on Friday to inqure about his interest in visiting Texas.
After initially saying he was sticking with Washington State, Meander flew to Austin on Saturday for an official visit. Now he's the 15th member of Texas' 2013 recruiting class and its third receiver pledge, joining Jake Oliver (Dallas/Jesuit) and Jacorey Warrick (Houston/Cypress Falls).
As a senior at Palo Duro, Meander played safety and running back. He rushed for 572 yards and eight touchdowns this fall. Prior to committing to Washington State, Meander took official visits to San Diego State, UTSA and Colorado State.
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Meander originally committed to playing safety at Washington State on Jan. 20, but Texas receivers coach Darrell Wyatt stunned him by showing up at Palo Duro on Friday to inqure about his interest in visiting Texas.
After initially saying he was sticking with Washington State, Meander flew to Austin on Saturday for an official visit. Now he's the 15th member of Texas' 2013 recruiting class and its third receiver pledge, joining Jake Oliver (Dallas/Jesuit) and Jacorey Warrick (Houston/Cypress Falls).
As a senior at Palo Duro, Meander played safety and running back. He rushed for 572 yards and eight touchdowns this fall. Prior to committing to Washington State, Meander took official visits to San Diego State, UTSA and Colorado State.
'Shaq' White showing size doesn't matter 
January, 1, 2013
Jan 1
8:18
PM ET
By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
SAN ANTONIO -- Despite carrying the nickname “Shaq,” versatile athlete Tre’Davious White (Shreveport, La./Green Oaks) is listed at 5-11 and 175 pounds -- and even he thinks that’s generous.
For a player of his size and stature, covering the oak trees that are the U.S. Army All-American Bowl West team wide receivers might have seemed to be mission impossible at first. As White continues practices, the task has proven not to be the ridiculous challenge he once thought.
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Jake Oliver breaks Texas receiving record
October, 20, 2012
10/20/12
1:03
PM ET
By
Max Olson | ESPN.com
Jake Oliver had his eye on a big record all season long. Last night, he broke it.
The Dallas Jesuit receiver rewrote the record books on Friday, surpassing former Longhorn Jordan Shipley’s state record of 264 career receptions.
Oliver, a longtime Texas commit, caught 15 passes for 174 yards against Lake Highlands to set the new record at 274 and counting.
The Dallas Jesuit receiver rewrote the record books on Friday, surpassing former Longhorn Jordan Shipley’s state record of 264 career receptions.
Oliver, a longtime Texas commit, caught 15 passes for 174 yards against Lake Highlands to set the new record at 274 and counting.
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WR Ra'Shaad Samples can play DB, too
October, 1, 2012
10/01/12
1:38
PM ET
By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
Oklahoma State commit Ra’Shaad Samples (Dallas/Skyline) is considered one of the top wide receivers in Texas. Last Friday was a chance for fans to see Samples’ versatility as he lined up as a defensive back in Skyline’s 56-24 win against Dallas Jesuit.
As a receiver, Samples caught three passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns, one of those a 90-yard play. As a defender, however, Samples was asked to be an extra defensive back in an effort to slow down Jesuit’s passing offense. Samples was on watch when 2014 Texas A&M commit and ESPN Watch List cornerback Cedric Collins left the game because of illness, and he was given the task to defend Jesuit’s Jake Oliver, an ESPN 300 receiver and Texas commit.
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Solomon Thomas likes Texas DE tradition
September, 9, 2012
9/09/12
6:30
PM ET
By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
AUSTIN, Texas -- Class of 2014 defensive end Solomon Thomas (Coppell, Texas/Coppell) got exactly what he wanted out of his unofficial visit to Texas for its game against New Mexico on Saturday.
“I went down here to try to have a good time, watch the game and try to get a better connection with the team,” Thomas said. “It worked out that way. I had a heck of a time.”
Thomas, who is one of three junior defensive ends that Texas offered on Aug. 2, was amazed at how comfortable he felt in the midst of all of the game-day activities the Longhorns had to offer, and even more so with the relationships he beileves he’s built with Texas’ coaching staff.
“I went down here to try to have a good time, watch the game and try to get a better connection with the team,” Thomas said. “It worked out that way. I had a heck of a time.”
Thomas, who is one of three junior defensive ends that Texas offered on Aug. 2, was amazed at how comfortable he felt in the midst of all of the game-day activities the Longhorns had to offer, and even more so with the relationships he beileves he’s built with Texas’ coaching staff.
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ESPN 150 WR Hunter Jr. takes in Texas
September, 9, 2012
9/09/12
4:02
PM ET
By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
AUSTIN, Texas -- ESPN 150 wide receiver Torii Hunter Jr. (Prosper, Texas/Prosper) walked around the south end zone of Darrel K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday with his head in a continuous tilt toward the sky.
He couldn’t keep his eyes off 100,000-plus seats that would soon be filled during Texas’ 45-0 victory over New Mexico.
“I mean that was pretty big right there,” he said. “I got to experience the game day atmosphere with 100,000 fans.”
He couldn’t keep his eyes off 100,000-plus seats that would soon be filled during Texas’ 45-0 victory over New Mexico.
“I mean that was pretty big right there,” he said. “I got to experience the game day atmosphere with 100,000 fans.”
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LB Mastrogiovanni excited for Ireland trip
August, 29, 2012
8/29/12
7:30
PM ET
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
For most Oklahoma football commits this weekend is the start of their senior seasons. Most early season matchups feature some of the biggest rivalries within their state, and that’s certainly the case in Oklahoma.
The annual Backyard Bowl between Jenks, Okla., and No. 20 Tulsa (Okla.) Union is Friday at the University of Tulsa. OU has a commit from each school, with three-star wide receiver Jordan Smallwood (Jenks) and three-star athlete Dalton Rodriguez (Union).
But one OU commit won't be playing in his native state. Heck, ESPN 300 linebacker Jordan Mastrogiovanni isn’t even playing in the United States.
The annual Backyard Bowl between Jenks, Okla., and No. 20 Tulsa (Okla.) Union is Friday at the University of Tulsa. OU has a commit from each school, with three-star wide receiver Jordan Smallwood (Jenks) and three-star athlete Dalton Rodriguez (Union).
But one OU commit won't be playing in his native state. Heck, ESPN 300 linebacker Jordan Mastrogiovanni isn’t even playing in the United States.
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Texas reaches out to WR Torii Hunter Jr.
August, 28, 2012
8/28/12
1:00
PM ET
By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
AUSTIN, Texas -- It appears the Longhorns are finally coming around to ESPN 150 wide receiver Torii Hunter Jr. (Prosper, Texas/Prosper).
The son of Los Angeles Angels outfielder Torii Hunter, who dazzled at The Opening in July, said that he and the Texas coaches have been in contact this month. It’s the first time the two sides have talked since May.
“Well they contacted my coach at the beginning of this month and my coach told me to give Coach [Darrell] Wyatt a call," Hunter Jr. said. "When I finally got a hold of Coach Wyatt he really just told me to attend their first game against Wyoming.”
The son of Los Angeles Angels outfielder Torii Hunter, who dazzled at The Opening in July, said that he and the Texas coaches have been in contact this month. It’s the first time the two sides have talked since May.
“Well they contacted my coach at the beginning of this month and my coach told me to give Coach [Darrell] Wyatt a call," Hunter Jr. said. "When I finally got a hold of Coach Wyatt he really just told me to attend their first game against Wyoming.”
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BEAVERTON, Ore. -- The Opening has come to a conclusion, and Texas fans learned a couple of things.
First, Jake Raulerson (Celina, Texas/Celina) is pretty versatile. Second, and perhaps the bigger story, A’Shawn Robinson (Fort Worth, Texas/Arlington Heights) is a lot better than advertised.
While Raulerson showed his worth among the best as an offensive lineman, even he had to yield to the play of Robinson, particularly during the lineman drills on Sunday. Raulerson watched Robinson shred through offensive linemen and said Robinson is highly underrated on a national level.
First, Jake Raulerson (Celina, Texas/Celina) is pretty versatile. Second, and perhaps the bigger story, A’Shawn Robinson (Fort Worth, Texas/Arlington Heights) is a lot better than advertised.
While Raulerson showed his worth among the best as an offensive lineman, even he had to yield to the play of Robinson, particularly during the lineman drills on Sunday. Raulerson watched Robinson shred through offensive linemen and said Robinson is highly underrated on a national level.
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Ricky Seals-Jones, the nation’s No. 1 wide receiver recruit, has de-committed from Texas.
The five-star recruit from Sealy, Texas, confirmed his decision to back out of his pledge in a text message to HornsNation.
A 6-foot-5, 220-pound receiver ranked No. 7 in the ESPN 150, Seals-Jones originally picked Texas over LSU on Feb. 22.
Prior to his decision to decommit, there were no signs Seals-Jones was wavering in his decision. He joined the rest of UT’s 2013 recruiting class in attending Texas’ first summer camp on Sunday.
With the loss of Seals-Jones, Texas now has 14 verbal commits for its 2013 class, including pledges from receivers Jacorey Warrick (Houston/Cypress Falls) and Jake Oliver (Dallas/Jesuit).
Read the rest of the story from Max Olson and William Wilkerson.
The five-star recruit from Sealy, Texas, confirmed his decision to back out of his pledge in a text message to HornsNation.
A 6-foot-5, 220-pound receiver ranked No. 7 in the ESPN 150, Seals-Jones originally picked Texas over LSU on Feb. 22.
Prior to his decision to decommit, there were no signs Seals-Jones was wavering in his decision. He joined the rest of UT’s 2013 recruiting class in attending Texas’ first summer camp on Sunday.
With the loss of Seals-Jones, Texas now has 14 verbal commits for its 2013 class, including pledges from receivers Jacorey Warrick (Houston/Cypress Falls) and Jake Oliver (Dallas/Jesuit).
Read the rest of the story from Max Olson and William Wilkerson.
Jordan Mastrogiovanni adds Sooners offer
May, 17, 2012
5/17/12
5:30
PM ET
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Oklahoma is going to get one more shot at the stellar group of 2013 recruits at Dallas Jesuit. Inside linebacker Jordan Mastrogiovanni confirmed he is the latest to receive an offer from the Sooners.
Mastrogiovanni, 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, is a four-star prospect ranked No. 6 in the nation at inside linebacker.
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Jake Oliver and Durham Smythe have seen the future, and they can’t help but get excited.
The Dallas Jesuit receiver and Belton tight end competed at the Nike Football Training Camp in Irving, Texas, on Sunday along with five other Longhorns pledges.
Both had impressive days, and Oliver earned a spot at The Opening in Oregon later this summer, and both said the exact same thing when they departed Valley Ranch: They can’t wait to play with Tyrone Swoopes.
The Dallas Jesuit receiver and Belton tight end competed at the Nike Football Training Camp in Irving, Texas, on Sunday along with five other Longhorns pledges.
Both had impressive days, and Oliver earned a spot at The Opening in Oregon later this summer, and both said the exact same thing when they departed Valley Ranch: They can’t wait to play with Tyrone Swoopes.
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IRVING, Texas -- Tight end Christian Morgan (Plano, Texas/Prestonwood Christian) has a slew of offers, but he still doesn’t have one from Oklahoma.
He has said repeatedly in the past that even without the offer, he is still pretty high on Sooners. If you don’t believe him, ask his teammate, linebacker Mike Mitchell.
Mitchell said part of the reason he is interested in the Sooners is because of Morgan's praise.
He has said repeatedly in the past that even without the offer, he is still pretty high on Sooners. If you don’t believe him, ask his teammate, linebacker Mike Mitchell.
Mitchell said part of the reason he is interested in the Sooners is because of Morgan's praise.
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Gustafson unsure after Texas junior day invite
February, 16, 2012
2/16/12
6:14
PM ET
By
Max Olson | ESPN.com
Texas coaches have put another offensive tackle target on their board, but they may already be too late.
Dallas Jesuit lineman J.J. Gustafson, a teammate of new UT commit Jake Oliver, said Texas coaches called Jesuit coach Brandon Hickman on Monday to extend Gustafson an offer to the Feb. 25 junior day.
At this point, he’s not sure he wants to make the trip. Gustafson said he’s never spoken with a UT coach and assumed they weren’t calling because they preferred touted 2013 tackle Kent Perkins (Dallas/Lake Highlands).
Dallas Jesuit lineman J.J. Gustafson, a teammate of new UT commit Jake Oliver, said Texas coaches called Jesuit coach Brandon Hickman on Monday to extend Gustafson an offer to the Feb. 25 junior day.
At this point, he’s not sure he wants to make the trip. Gustafson said he’s never spoken with a UT coach and assumed they weren’t calling because they preferred touted 2013 tackle Kent Perkins (Dallas/Lake Highlands).
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LaQuvionte Gonzalez picks up OU offer
February, 15, 2012
2/15/12
4:28
PM ET
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Before athlete LaQuvionte Gonzalez (Cedar Hill, Texas/Cedar Hill) could even leave school Wednesday, he knew it would be a busy rest of the day.
Because while in class, the junior picked up offers from Oklahoma and Illinois, his head coach Joey McGuire told him.
Gonzalez, 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, is an amazing athlete and can play several positions, according to McGuire.
Because while in class, the junior picked up offers from Oklahoma and Illinois, his head coach Joey McGuire told him.
Gonzalez, 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, is an amazing athlete and can play several positions, according to McGuire.
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RECRUITING NATION MIDLANDS COVERAGE
The Midlands Region consists of the states of Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and
Texas and is where Big 12 programs make a living recruiting. However, with the deep talent pool in the Lone Star State, teams from all over the country flock to the Midlands to find players.
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MIDLANDS RECRUITING CONTRIBUTORS
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