EL PASO, Texas – To start off 2012 on a strong note our resident recruiting expert Angel Luna has been burning the midnight oil tracking down some great football and basketball recruiting news to share with our loyal followers. So without further adieu here is the latest and greatest from Miner Illustrated.
In Football recruiting news,
LB Darnell Murray (6’0 205 lbs) from Perris, CA (Citrus Hill HS) committed to UTEP after his official visit prior to the Christmas holiday. Murray had offers from NMSU and Utah State as well as interest from some PAC-12 schools.
In 2011, Murrray earned the Mountain Pass League Defensive Player of the Year and helped Citrus Hill to a league title and 12-1 overall record by averaging eight tackles per game.
2010 All Mountain Pass, All HS Game Time inland Elite, Citrus Hill Defensive MVP.
Ratings:
2 stars and #67 LB by scout.com
2 stars and 72 grade by espnu.com
As per ESPNU.com: “Murray is very effective lining up as a strong safety in the box, quite often getting a free run at the ball carrier; gets off the mark with good initial quickness and anticipation, showing a nose for the football. Has the minimum size with good athleticism for the outside linebacker position at the major level of competition; needs to add bulk to his frame; a growth spurt would be helpful. The agility and balance we see coupled with his though warp and knock’em back tackling ability should prove beneficial as a special team’s coverage defender; demonstrates the ability to time snaps resulting in blocked punts, field goals and PAT’s. Although we like his ability to move through traffic and play in space this prospect is somewhat of a long strider with a little hip tightness; does a good job with key and diagnosis reaction skills; plays downhill effectively demonstrating good lateral pursuit. Can turn, change direction and avoid trash when working off the edge to the sideline; is quick to the cutoff point showing range outside the hashes. Is effective rushing the passer showing good blitz timing; has potential as a zone and man coverage defender; flashes good route awareness and anticipation. This guy is a tough customer who plays with the motor and desire we look for when evaluating linebackers. Although Murray is presently flying under the radar as a major level prospect we feel his toughness and athleticism make him a prospect worth keeping an eye on as the season progresses.”
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w42WrUBkN9c
LB/TE Ernest Hawkins 6’2 220 pounds 40/4.5 s from Baltimore, MD (Dunbar HS) received an offer from UTEP last week. Hawkins currently holds offers from Perdue and UTEP with more on the horizon. He is currently receiving interest from North Carolina State, Maryland, West Virginia and Notre Dame among others.
His teammate DB Terrence (aka Tmoney) Williams committed to UTEP late last year….
Rankings:
He is ranked No. 827 in the country by 247Sports.
Hawkins is the No. 20 recruit in Maryland (MD) and is the No. 27 Tight End in the nation.
Hawkins has a 247Sports rating of 84, making him a 3-star prospect.
2 stars & 5.3 by rivals.com
2 stars & 72 grade by espnu.com
As per espnu.com” Hawkins is productive as a tight end and defensive end however his size and athleticism appear better suited for the outside linebacker position at the major level of competition. His frame appears capable of handling some additional bulk, provided playing speed isn’t compromised. The secure wrap tackling skills we see should be productive as a special team’s coverage defender. Playing from a three point stance this prospect displays good initial quickness although his first move is too high; has quick hands which he uses well, getting them inside with the leverage needed to stand up and neutralize blockers; is quick to shed and close on the ball carrier. His playing strength will need to improve as well as his feel and run blocking recognition. This guy is a good competitor, demonstrating the desire to chase down the football; flashes the ability to turn and change direction when in pursuit. Demonstrates arm over quickness when rushing the passer; should be effective an effective rusher from a variety of alignments. Because he lacks experience as a coverage defender, all areas will need work. Hawkins appears to be a border line BCS prospect. The move to outside linebacker could take some adjustment time and perhaps require a red shirt year.”
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFWzFDC1kmY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBCrohpozus
RB Paul Franklin 6’1 205 pounds 40/4.5 seconds from Dallas, TX (South Oak Cliff HS) received an offer from UTEP in late December. Franklin now has offers from Baylor and New Mexico and is receiving some interest from Oklahoma, Kansas State, TCU, Texas A&M among others. Franklin is rated a 3 stars and RB # 104 by scout.com. Franklin combines speed with strength. He is able to burst through the first line of defense and then his speed allows him to close past the secondary.
Senior season: Rushed for 1,486 yards on 166 carries (8.95 avg.) with 26 rushing TDs and also added 11 receptions for 107 yards and 2 TDs.
Franklin finished his junior season with 448 yards on 55 carries with 8 TDs.
2012 Insidetexas.com RBs watch list:
http://insidetexas.com/football/recruiting/index.php?year=2012&filter=RB
Additionally, Miner Illustrated has learned that OL/DL Tremell Nelson (6-0, 260 lbs) a semi-pro football player with the El Paso Seminoles (Minor Professional Football League) could be joining UTEP beginning next fall. We will update his status as we receive more information.
DB Dashone Smith 5’11 185 pounds from Spring,TX (Klein Oak HS) is going to visit UTEP on 01/13/2012. MI confirmed the information with Dashone Smith a few days ago. Also, OT Dimitric Camiel 6’5 290 pounds from houston, TX (Westfield HS) is going to visit UTEP in January. Camiel will visit Indiana in early January (01/13/2012) as well.
DB Dashone Smith has offers from Minnesota, Nevada, Texas State, UTEP, Louisiana Tech and Western Michigan.
Ratings:
3 stars and 5.5 grade by rivals.com
3 stars and #98 DB by scout.com
3 stars and #102 DB by 247sports.com
2 stars and &3 grade by espnu.com
As per espnu.com: “Smith is a ball hawking strong safety that takes some risks in order to make plays. Shows average size at the strong safety position, needs to add more playing strength. Willing hitter that will front up the ball carrier, good form tackler. Needs to continue to develop strength and mass to back up his hits. Plays with a high motor, flies around the field looking to make plays. Very aggressive player who is quick to come downhill vs the run. Takes good angles to the ball carrier. Can get himself out of position vs play action pass because of his aggressive nature. Looks comfortable playing down around the line of scrimmage. Needs to refine his technique as a defensive back, tends to hop and could struggle vs better route runners in coverage. Not a highly disciplined player vs the pass. Primarily a zone player at this point, shows enough speed and change of direction to be able to matchup vs backs and tight ends at the next level. Displays solid ball skills and has some ability to make plays after an interception. Should be a contributor on special teams, especially on coverage units. Overall, Smith is an aggressive defensive player that can develop into a tackling machine at the next level, needs to continue to add strength to match his playing style and improve his technical skills vs the pass.”
Video:
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/539629/dashone-smith
Story:
http://www.ihigh.com/centralhouston/article_98833.html
OT Dimitric Camiel 6’6 290 pounds has offers from Arizona, State, Indiana, UTEP, Kansas, Kentucky, Tulane, Utah State and Wyoming among others.
Ratings:
3 stars and 5.5 grade by rivals.com
Stories:
http://www.ihigh.com/northhouston/article_69929.html
http://www.ihigh.com/northhouston/article_63158.html
On the basketball front,
PF/C Marko Gujanicic (6’8, 225 lbs) has received an offer from UTEP. Marko Gujanicic (SRB) currently offers from – UTEP, USC, California, Virginia Tech, Rhode Island, UCSB, George Mason, Oakland and St. Mary’s with many more taking notice. Gujanici also happens to be a teammate of 2012 UTEP signee Dustin Watts at Stoneridge Prep School (CA) and attended a UTEP scrimmage late last year when Chris Washburn was on his official visit.
After a successful summer with Serbia on World Championship U19 and impressive performances in the States so far this season for with the talented Stoneridge Prep squad, Serbian forward Marko Gujanicic (’92) is starting to create quite a buzz with his abilities.
As per http://www.europeanprospects.com: “At the FIBA U19 World Championship 2011, Gujanicic was mostly used as a rotation on the PF position but he showed that he can be used on different positions because of his defensive presence. He did an excellent job on the defensive end where he is quick enough to guard SF but has also the necessary physical power to stop players in the low post. Offensively, Gujanicic did not force anything and had an overall polished game. He scored from outside but could also put the ball on the floor to attack the basket. Out of the low post, he scored on some jump hooks and was also a nice offensive rebound presence. Gujanicic showed as well some creative passing skills out of the spin move on the drive or on the fast break where he came up with the occasional touch pass to open up a team mate. The 2m02 (6-foot 8 inches) tall player will be at Stoneridge Prep next season and he should get a lot of interest from mid-major schools as a valuable and immediately usable asset in the 2012 Class.”
Stories:
Video:
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I really wish that Floyd could comment on unsigned recruits and discuss his recruiting strategy (I know he can’t do that due to NCAA rules). There are 13 scholarships taken for 2012 and offers to January (who is still committed as of now) and Gujanicic and Shepard. Maybe someone such as Ragland will redshirt next year, but not sure if that frees up a scholarship. Other option is that not all current players return if one or two of these guys sign. Otherwise there is no space to recruit for 2013 since Malcolm Moore will be a junior next year instead of a senior. The only senior will be Streeter and after he leaves 13 scholarships will still be taken if the entire team is intact.
The other option is to keep the team intact (not redshirt Ragland) and have 1 available scholarship for 2013 to best possible player. That would mean none of the 3 remaining recruits sign for 2012.
I am sure Floyd knows what he is doing, and I would not be surprised to see one or two guys transfer and play somewhere else after this season. Sad but true.