Commentary

TCU highlights non-AQ recruiting

Originally Published: August 24, 2010
By Billy Tucker | ESPN Recruiting

Non-AQ Recruiting Breakdown

Rank School
1

TCU Horned Frogs

Top prospect: OLB Deryck Gildon (Arlington, Texas/James Martin)

The Horned Frogs contended for a top-25 spot in our most recent class rankings. This deep TCU class has three-star quality and nationally regarded names committed on both sides of the ball. The high-motored Gildon is a major land, as he had a list of offers from BCS programs and produces well near the line of scrimmage. He's a four-star, top-10 linebacker who should help TCU's future defense stay stingy. Gary Patterson's program is nationally regarded thanks to his ability to identify under-the-radar talent. Dominic Merka (Crosby, Texas/Crosby) fits the mold. ESPNU's No. 20-ranked quarterback is a productive dual-threat prospect whose athleticism could also fit at a different position.
TCU
2

Utah Utes

Top prospect: QB Derrick Brown (Murrieta, Calif./Vista Murrieta)

The Utes are putting together one of their better classes under coach Kyle Whittingham, and selling future Pac-10 play to recruits appears to be paying dividends. Utah already has 17 commits in its well-balanced class. Brown is a steal and should be a highly productive quarterback thanks to his great dual-threat skill set and athleticism out of the spread. Other schools may have passed over offensive tackle Daniel Kristensen (Salt Lake City/Cottonwood) because of his lighter frame, but we see a lineman with very good feet, agility and a high ceiling for physical development. Future depth has been added at receiver with several system-fitting prospects, including Charles Henderson (New Orleans/McDonogh).
Utah
3

Houston Cougars

Top prospect: QB Bram Kohlhausen (Houston/Lamar)

Coming off a 10-win season, the Cougars are putting together a class with solid midrange depth. All but one of Houston's commits hail from Texas. Kohlhausen lacks prototypical size measurables but has a quick release and a lot of intangibles you can't coach. Jonah Austin (New Orleans/St. Augustine) needs to develop but has BCS-level size and a finishing attitude. Fellow 6-foot-6 tackle prospect Michael Boddie (Gilmer, Texas/Gilmer) also has promise with his leaner frame and good run-blocking strength. Anthony Webb (La Porte, Texas/La Porte) is a shifty, multipurpose back and a nice fit for the Cougars' explosive offense.
Houston
4

UCF Knights

Top prospect: WR Jacques Mackeroy (Lakeland, Fla./Kathleen)

Success on the field is helping build a solid 2011 class for coach George O'Leary. The Knights have cleaned up on some overlooked talent by the more prominent BCS programs in Florida. Keep your eye on Mackeroy. The receiver lacks ideal size and speed measurables but is athletic, tough and highly competitive for the football. Willie Mitchell (Deltona, Fla./Pine Ridge) is a sleeper at the linebacker position. The No. 10-rated outside linebacker in Florida is a great tackler and has coveted sideline-to-sideline range.
UCF
5

BYU Cougars

Top prospect: TE Colby Jorgensen (Provo, Utah/Timpview)

At this point, the Cougars lack the high-end talent we saw them sign last year, but it's still a solid class months away from signing day. They have done well in-state with pledges from two of their top three prospects. Jorgensen reminds us of 2010 signee and Timpview alumnus Bronson Kaufusi (BYU). He's very tall, lean and athletic with the versatility to play tight end or possibly defensive end. Baker Pritchard (South Jordan, Utah/Bingham) is a sleeper at the defensive end position with a good blend of size, athleticism and explosiveness on the edge to contribute early.
BYU
6

Southern Methodist Mustangs

Top prospect: DE Devon Moreland (Los Angeles/Salesian)

SMU is on track to sign one of its better classes in recent years. The top half is composed of solid three-star depth, including four prospects hovering around the top 50 at their respective positions. Moreland is the real deal, as this high-upside prospect passed on several BCS offers to play for the Mustangs. He has a big frame to fill out, is active around the ball and can run. On the offensive side of the ball, offensive tackle Carter Wall (Austin, Texas/William B. Travis) has good run-blocking strength but also possesses good feet, which are needed to pull and pass-set effectively.
SMU
7

Boise State Broncos

Top prospect: ILB Blake Renaud (Concord, Calif./De La Salle)

The Broncos' class isn't deep at this stage, but it has a few significant commitments including a nationally ranked inside linebacker. Renaud has the prototypical size and strength needed to stack the run at the BCS level but passed on a few BCS programs to play for the Broncos. Boise State also put some focus on the defense line with three solid three-stars committed. Defensive end Sam Ukwuachu (Pearland, Texas/Pearland) lacks bulk but can get after the passer and has promising upside. Jeff Worthy (La Mirada, Calif./Whittier Christian) is not real flashy but is a well-rounded interior lineman with toughness to produce in the trenches.
Boise State
8

Southern Miss Golden Eagles

Top prospect: WR Darien Thomas (Theodore, Ala./Theodore)

The Golden Eagles have done a great job under Larry Fedora, plucking a few BCS-caliber prospects each year. They have a new one in Thomas. A Kentucky defector, Thomas lacks elite speed but is a big-catch, athletic receiver with great hands. Southern Miss has stocked up at receiver and overall athletes in this class. Emmanuel Johnson (McKenzie, Ala./McKenzie) has big-play ability and versatility at the skill positions and should develop into one of the more talented players in this recruiting class.
Southern Miss

Billy Tucker is a recruiting coordinator for ESPN Recruiting and has close to a decade of coaching experience at the college and high school levels.

Billy Tucker

Scouts, Football Recruiting
• Recruiting coordinator for ESPN RecruitingNation.
• Nearly a decade of college coaching experience.
• Was recruiting coordinator at nationally-ranked Division II colleges.

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