Commitment Analysis | 2020 DL Princely Umanmielen

– Darius Terrell

Texas went back-to-back for the second time in the #cloUT2020 cycle, adding a commitment from Lufkin Safety Jerrin Thompson on Sunday and following that up with a huge commitment from Manor HS (Manor, TX) Defensive Lineman Princely Umanmielen. The local product becomes the 15th member of a skyrocketing 2020 class for the Longhorns.

What is Texas getting in Umanmielen?

Ranking: 4-Star, #180 Nationally, #12 SDE (247), 4-Star, #240 Nationally, #26 DE (ESPN), 4-Star, #14 SDE (Rivals)

Top Offers: Oklahoma, Texas A&M, LSU, Arkansas, Georgia Tech, TCU

Size: 6’4 250lbs

Projected College Position: 3-4 End (5-tech)

Player Comparison: Ta’Quon Graham (Texas 2017-)

Analysis: Princely Umanmielen is a consensus 4-star prospect that clearly has his best football awaiting him in the future. He is a tall, imposing figure on the LOS that carries 250lbs extremely well on his 6’4 frame. Just by eyeballing him in his stance, I’d estimate that he possesses a wingspan of at least 6’10. There are numerous occasions on his highlights where he is out of position, but his length allows him to literally reach and pull ball-carriers out of the hole for TFLs. When he uses those arms and his hands, he is really able to disrupt an opposing offense and wreak havoc. Like many high school Defensive Linemen, he does have a tendency to stand up at the snap and play too upright. Luckily for he and Texas fans, he’s going to be playing for a position coach that will break that habit.

He’s still growing into his body and his coordination will continue to improve as he matures. Umanmielen flashes some sneaky athleticism and closing speed on a few of his highlights, which really gets you excited about what his ceiling could be if it all comes together for him. His 4.37 electronically-verified shuttle time from The Opening in July would have been tied for the 6th-best time out of every Defensive Lineman at the 2019 NFL Combine this past spring. He also posted a 34.7” vertical jump, which further illustrates the explosive movement ability that he possesses, even if he doesn’t quite know how to always use it on the field yet. I don’t know that he’s an instant impact guy as a Freshman, but like current starting Defensive End Taquon Graham, I think Umanmielen will be able to contribute depth early in his career and eventually develop into a multi-year starter.

Texas Defensive Line Coach Oscar Giles is throwing his weight around in the 2020 class in a major way. Umanmielen gives Texas the second piece of what they hope is a clean sweep of the trio of Vernon Broughton, Princely Umanmielen, and Alfred Collins, who represent the top three in-state Defensive Linemen in the class. In Broughton, Umanmielen, and to a lesser extent Van Fillinger, Texas now has commitments from three defenders that could potentially move inside and rush the passer on obvious passing downs during their time on campus. The ability to create pressure from the interior is paramount when it comes to assisting your secondary playing in the high-flying Big XII. Texas continues to add the right pieces to build a contender.

Instant Impact Rating: 6

Royalty is on its way to the 40 Acres.

Highlights:

Commitment Analysis | Jerrin Thompson

– Darius Terrell

An already impressive Texas Longhorns’ #Clout2020 recruiting class got a little bit stronger on a sunny Sunday afternoon when Lufkin HS (Lufkin, TX) Safety Jerrin Thompson became the 14th member of the class and the 3rd Defensive Back commitment.

Only time will tell https://t.co/wXZKAQjdX1 — Jerrin Thompson (@bugg_24) August 11, 2019

What is Texas getting in Thompson?

Ranking: #149 Nationally, #15 Safety (247), #201 Nationally, #12 Safety (Rivals), #267 Nationally, #15 Safety (ESPN)

Top Offers: Notre Dame, Penn St., TCU, Arkansas, Oklahoma St., Baylor

Size: 6’0 180lbs

Projected College Position: Safety

Player Comparison: Jah’Shawn Johnson (Texas Tech 2015-2018)

Analysis: The first word that comes to mind when watching Thompson’s highlights is “physical.” Thompson isn’t the biggest, fastest, or most athletic Defensive Back prospect, but he has instincts and a nose for finding the football that more than makeup for any physical limitations. He is at his best in Zone coverage, displaying some very impressive awareness and showing off an underrated ability to diagnose route combinations. This allows him to drive on the football and would-be Receivers as well as any other player in the state that I’ve looked at in the 2020 class.

Thompson plays a lot of Free Safety for Lufkin, an East Texas powerhouse, and is the quarterback of the defense for the Panthers. He will have the ability to play either Safety spot for the Longhorns in Todd Orlando’s defense. I don’t know if you want him in one-on-one coverage too often with some of the elite speed guy in college football, but I could see a possibility of him getting a look in the Nickel as well. I could see versatility being a bit of a calling card for him at the next level, which is exactly what programs are looking for in this day and age of “match-up” football. I really like Thompson’s football character and I’m high on the intangibles that he brings to a locker room. He’ll need some time with Yancy McKnight, but he’s a winner and he’s going to bring the energy every day, which can be contagious and help raise the level of play of his peers.

“Bugg” chose the Longhorns over teams that were recruiting him for a much longer period of time (TCU, Arkansas, Oklahoma St.) which should indicate how badly he wanted to be a part of this class. The addition of Thompson is a net positive in every way for Texas and Longhorn fans should be very happy with the way the this Defensive Back class is coming together. Should he hold firm with his commitment, he will be the first player to don the burnt orange from Lufkin since 2010, when Carrington Byndom had the great misfortune of having myself as a roommate.

Instant Impact Rating: 5.5

Highlights:

Injury Update | Sterns, Ingram, and Overshown

– Will Baizer

Per Texas, Sophomore RB Keaontay Ingram sustained a bone bruise (knee) and sophomore safety Caden Sterns has a low-grade high ankle sprain.

Both injuries were sustained during Sunday’s scrimmage.

Ingram and Sterns are expected to miss some practice but should return to action before the Longhorns’ season opener against Louisiana Tech on August 31st if not sooner.

Some unofficial news that we’ve heard is that sophomore safety DeMarvion Overshown is back to practicing and did quite well in the scrimmage this last Sunday.

Sunday Scrimmage | Sourced | Quick-Hitters

– Super K

Texas held a team scrimmage this weekend. Here are a few sourced notes regarding said scrimmage…

***Was told there were quite a few explosive plays on offense.

***Source said John Burt had a pretty acrobatic catch that might have been the highlight of the day.

***Also told that due to some guys being held out, Jake Smith and Kennedy Lewis got a lot of reps. Heard Jake Smith took a screen 50 yards to the house.

***Marcus Washington didn’t practice.

***The RB core was Danny Young and walk-ons. Looks like Jordan Whittington and Ingram were out. Will mentioned both Ingram and Sterns being out. It sounds precautionary…tweaks but don’t quote me…that was just the initial word I received.

***Was told freshman DT, T’Vondre Sweat is going to be a monster. Sounds like he’s impressing the coaches and has already won the respect of his teammates. I don’t know that he will make a big impact this year, given who is in front of him. But it sounds like it’s just a matter of time.

***Was told Green, Cook, Jamison and Boyce all took reps with the 1s but of the four CBs it sounds like Green was put in with the 1s most frequently. I suppose that’s because he will start in place of Cook (suspending) in the first game.

***Heard Todd Orlando is working on finding ways to move Overshown around. I get the sense that they like the diversity of his skillset which apparently includes an ability to get to the QB. Was told he can be pretty special if Orlando finds the right way to utilize him.

***Was told Sam and Casey Thompson looked good. Was told Roschon Johnson struggled quite a bit.

***Sounds like a little brawl broke out, as well. Apparently, Ossai (who is very intense) and Sam got into it and then Brennan Eagles, seeing his QB in a tussle, came flying in. A brawl ensued. Love the edge!

That’s it for now. If you have any specific questions, again, just leave them below and when if were able to get an answer for you, we’ll pass it along.

Here are some notes from the week in general as well:

– Freshman LB Marcus Tillman continues to impress. Apparently, things are coming to him easily because he played the same defense in high school and already has the Spring under his belt.

– LB Ayodele Adeoye is looking faster than he has in the past. I was told he is looking a little bit better than Anthony Wheeler.

– Sam Ehlinger is getting used to his new receivers currently, but everything is still there as far as his level of play from last year.

– WR Brennan Eagles had a breakout week last week with some big receptions downfield. He’s bigger than most of the DBs and just as fast.

– WR Devin Duvernay is taking over the quick slant behind the line and go role that Lil’Jordan Humphrey had last year.

– TE Cade Brewer has apparently been a great receiving target and Ehlinger is finding him more often than he did Beck. The problem is his blocking is still a question mark. Per Herman, he made a great one-handed catch in the scrimmage for a touchdown.

(Will Baizer)

Xavion Alford | Quick Update

– Super K

As we noted, Xavion Alford may end up moving his commitment date up and announcing sometime this month.

You’ll recall that Alford was a heavy Alabama lean throughout the summer but again, that has changed and it’s now looking like an in-state battle.

I haven’t had a great read on the direction but, earlier in the week, if you twisted my arm, I would have given the nod to TAMU. Now, not so much.

Source I spoke to recently said it’s about 50/50 and Xavion is genuinely torn right now. I am wondering if this may cause him to push things back a bit.

I’ll know more after I see him.

For all the strength of the DL and CB recruiting, the safety recruiting could benefit big-time from a guy like Alford. I like where this one is trending right now.