The entry into the American conference meant that North Texas needed to step up the game. Coaches with recruiting prowess were hired, including “Coach O” aka Justin Owens. That hire was universally praised and you can see various staff saying “Haha did you see what Coach O posted today?”
It certainly is a new era in North Texas Football.
We will see what kind of cadence the new staff has. College Football is always about adapting to change, and whatever you read or hear about “it not being the way it used to be” remember that there never was a “normal” for any length of time. Recruiting is a cut-throat business and it always will be. Finding talent and getting them to sign on the line that is dotted takes hustle and grit and is not for the feint of heart.
That said, let us check in on the status of the chase.
This will be expanded as we update. Come back for more
Quarterback
Needs: Probably one sure-fire starter
Targets
| Player | State | Stars | Schools | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcos Davila | TX | 4 | Purdue | |
| Michael Hawkins | TX | 4 | OU, TCU, Bama | |
| Trey Petty | MS | 3 | stAte, Georgia St, GTech | |
| Hauss Henjy | TX | 3 | TCU, Austin Peay, Baylor | |
| Daniel Beale | LA | 3 | Colorado State | |
| Deuce Adams | TX | 3 | Canyon, New Braunsfels | Good program in Texas near where Morris was once located as UIW head coach but is leaning L-Ville. |
| Jack Stevens | CA | 0 | Lehigh, UNT | A guy from a run-oriented program that can throw it. |
| Noah Lugo | TX | 0 | Army, Indiana, Kent St | Kid with a good arm, but looking at Duke, others. |
Tight End
Needs: 1? –The rumor that Eric Morris will eschew tight ends is rampant. Jake Roberts transfered and then later Var’Keyes Gumms did the same. Now the truth is somewhere in between. Luke Carter represents a guy that is expected to contribute early. “Coaches are going to ask a lot of me. They expect me to help out my first year”. Some of that might be on special teams. He can do some long-snapping.
Commits
| Player | State | Stars | Schools | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luke Carter | TX | 3 | North Texas | Cornerstone commit |
Safety
Needs: 2 – 1 playmaker, 1 depth.
Signing Brandon Jones is a big get. Logan Wilson was flying around for NT in the secondary but the other safety was an iffy proposition. The new scheme means NT is going to be more multiple and at least one of the safeties is a hybrid kind of deal. Jones fits that mold, with his tackling prowess and size.
Commits
| Player | State | Stars | Schools | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Jones | TX | 3 | North Texas | The highest ranked commit of all-time |
Cornerback / Nickel
Needs: 1 and depth
While the secondary stepped up in the absence of John Davis, they were picked on because of inexperience.
Signing Kerry Williams builds the pipeline to South Oak Cliff, where two other 2023 commits signed from. That high school program is known for putting talented secondary players in the college ranks and North Texas is hoping to continue that.
| Player | State | Stars | Schools | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kerry Williams | TX | 3 | North Texas | Adding to the SOC pipeline |
