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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 6, 2004)
l|, 111 T The Battalion • Page 4 Texas A&M Foot! c Fran making waves after recruiting his way to national top-15 cl'^o Texas A&M fans didn’t get what they were hoping for when head coach Dennis Franchione led the Aggies in his first year as coach to a dismal 4-8 season, their first losing season since 1982. After the University of Oklahoma and Louisiana State - two teams that recruit in the Aggies 4 back yard - made the BCS National Championship game at the Sugar Bowl, things looked dismal on the recruiting front for Franchione and his staff. Throw in Texas head coach Mack Brown and a Longhorn team that has finished no worse than No. 6 in the nation for the past two sea sons and the Aggie recruiting network looks like the downward spiral could go all the way down the rabbit hole. But even with all those things hanging over their heads, the A&M coaching staff finished with the No. 8 recruiting class in the nation, according to ESPN recruiting expert Tom Lemming. Good recruiting after such a bad season in Texas is like Elmer Fudd finally catching Bugs Bunny. Maybe it’s because Texas has so many tal ented players coming out of high school this year that OU, LSU and UT couldn't take them all. Or maybe it’s because Aggie fans were right when they sang “Fran's the man” when Franchione moved to Aggieland. Either way, the bottom line is that this recruiting class is special. It’s so special that it’s hard to find a place to start. You can do it with the junior college pickups, or the line backer corps that could bring the Wrecking Crew name back to Kyle Field, or the out standing defensive linemen, but this class will most likely be defined by a quarterback from Burnet, Texas, who decided to forgo prom to enroll a semester early at A&M. Welcome quarterback Stephen McGee, the fourth-highest ranked quarterback in the nation, according to recruiting service rivals.com. If you’re wondering what happened to A&M sophomore quarterback Reggie McNeal, he’s still here and he’ll still be the man at the helm for the Aggies. But McNeal is sidelined with a shoulder injury for the spring, and junior Dustin Long transferred to Sam Houston State. These two developments have elevated McGee from a redshirt year holding the clip board on the sideline and running scout team practices to running first-team drills in the spring and taking over as McNeal’s primary backup in the fall. Not too bad for a guy whose buddies are still taking high school classes. While McGee has the potential to become the big name of this class, his future will most likely be settled down the road as long as McNeal stays healthy. Others in this class, though, will be called upon to provide an immediate impact. To regain the linebacker form of past Wrecking Crew defenses, Franchione has signed junior college transfers Lee Foliaki, TROY MILLER Terrence Smith and Aaron Brown. All three should see plenty of playing time and push for a starting job. Defensive tackle William Morrisey from Silsbee, Texas is the third best at his posi tion, according to rivals.com, and No. 27 of all national recruits. Morrisey could be asked to provide time in the middle to put pressure on opposing running games. Allen defensive end Chris Smith is the second-rated end in the nation, according to rivals.com, and will provide an excellent pass rush from the side. If Brown isn’t shaking in his boots in Austin by now, adding the names of wide receivers DeQawn Mobley and Tory DeGrate, athletes D.J. Davis and Kerry Franks, defensive back Danny Gorrer and defensive end Cyril Obiozar might be enough to bring Brown to a sweat. After two strong recruiting classes in his first two tries at A&M, Franchione is quickly taking Brown’s title as recruiting king of Texas. Now, if Franchione can bring all the pieces together on the field, maybe he can steal the coaching crown from Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops on the other side of the Red River. Either way, the Big 12 conference and, more specifically, Brown and Stoops, should be checking over their shoulders at the arse nal Franchione is stocking in Aggieland. And if “Fran the man” can recruit like this after a 4-8 season, it begs the question, how good is it going to get when Fran begins to win? Coach Brown and coach Stoops, enjoy being at the top while it lasts. A&M head coach Dennis Franchione pause ^ lobby of the Bright Football Complex durinjl ^ ^ H Man foundation member tour on Saturday McGee headlines Aggies' 2004 class John C. Livas • THE BATTALION Stephen McGee throws a pass against Wharton in the Texas State 3A state semifinals at Kyle Field. By Kyle Davoust THE BATTALION Most of Stephen McGee’s buddies are doing exactly what students dream about during their last semester in high school: nothing much. The most strenuous part of their next few months will probably be picking out a tux for prom, planning their next field party or trying to avoid failing one of the many blow- off classes that come with being a high school senior. When you’re one of the highest sought quarterback recruits in the nation, howev er, these senior plans are sub ject to change. After weighing his options, McGee decided to join a growing trend among college athletes by graduating from Bumet High School in the fall and enrolling a semes ter early at Texas A&M. “It’s a change, and I’ll probably miss being around my friends and stuff, but I’m excited about the change,” McGee said in his first press conference as an Aggie. “It’s something I’ve always looked forward to, dreamed about and worked my whole life for, so I’m extremely excited to have the opportunity that I have right now.” McGee’s main reason for graduating early was so he could participate in spring football practice. This will give him the opportunity to learn and benefit from extra time practicing with the team. “It’s a great opportunity for me to improve mentally,” McGee said. “I need to get myself ready to do all the things a quarterback has to do in the three seconds you have in the pocket.” A&M recruiters focused on McGee after a stellar career at Bumet, where he passed for a Texas class 3 A record of 101 touchdowns. In his senior season, in which he led Bumet to the state title game, McGee threw for 8,256 yards, completing 196 of his 313 pass attempts. In his most telling stat, he threw for 47 touchdowns last year, while throwing just three interceptions. That type of efficiency had scouts from all over knocking at his door. McGee then made his decision through a self- made and detailed point system that compared all of his desired schools in 15 different areas. “Stephen’s choice of A&M wasn’t anything based on a minute decision or emotion or what someone else wanted,” said Rodney McGee, Stephen’s father. “He was very impressed with the work ethic and the discipline and the organizational skills that A&M has, and he feels that they have a great chance to be very successful.” The Aggies were planning on slowly grooming the young quarterback behind two experienced veterans; howev er, McGee’s training schedule shifted into high gear when it was announced that junior Dustin Long was transferring to Sam Houston State to fin ish out his collegiate career. It then accelerated off the charts when sophomore quarterback Reggie McNeal, who started 11 of 12 games for the Aggies last year, underwent shoulder surgery, which will keep him out of- spring drills. “He’s going to get a lot of work in the spring,” said A&M head coach Dennis Franchione. “He’s probably going to go into the season as the back up, but they’ll be a day in the fall where he will be out (on the field).” What was once a nice recruit for the Aggies has now become a necessity. McGee has effectively gone from holding the clipboard to being the top quarterback on the depth chart until McNeal is able to return. “With Dustin gone, of course, it throws in a whole lot of new stuff,” McGee said. “A lot of quarterbacks will now have the opportunity to step up and prove themselves, so it will be a good opportuni ty this spring to try and devel op as a quarterback.” One of McGee’s refreshing qualities is his humility. While this situation would make most swell with pride, he understands his position on the team. McGee said he real izes that he is still one of the low men on the totem poll. “I have to earn my respect on this team,” McGee said. “As a quarterback and as a leader, you have to learn to follow before you can be a leader. To be a great quarter back you have to make people around you better, so now I’m in the process of trying to earn my respect on this team.” JUCO infusion A&M Foil! By Jordan Meserole THE BATTALION To all those students who are new to Texas A&M, or for those who may have slept through all of last semester, here’s a recap of A&M’s last football season - they need help now. Head coach Dennis Franchione certainly knows that best and has his recruit ing notebook overflowing with names and stats. But instead of hoping that incom ing freshmen will be the solu tion, Franchione has expanded his horizon to the oft over looked junior college players. “We expect these (junior college) players to come in here and help us immediate ly,” Franchione said. A&M football has histori cally never been big on recruiting junior college trans fers. Over the last five years, A&M has signed only two - wide receiver Robert Ferguson and defensive lineman Michael Montgomery. This year, the Aggies will sign six. Four of those players come on the defensive side to boost a team that was ranked near the bottom of every defensive category in the NCAA. “Defensively, we knew we needed some help, especially at the linebacker and defensive end spots,” Franchione said. Lee Foliaki, a quick inside linebacker, will give an imme diate boost to the A&M line backers. Foliaki led Butler County Junior College with 86 tackles and was third in tackles-for-loss with 11. “His instincts on the field are some of the best out there,” said Butler head coach Troy Morrell. “He has great game experience and has the type of personality that gets his other teammates around him fired up during the games.” Linebacker Terrence Smith led Northwest Mississippi Community College with 144 tackles and was in the top 10 in sacks. Smith was heavily recruited by two of Franchione’s old coaching stops, Alabama and TCU, but chose A&M in the end. “Every team wishes they had one like him,” said Northwest head coach Bobby Franklin. “A lot of teams are going to be real surprised by his speed and ability.” Completing the defensive side is Aaron Brown and Renuel Green. Brown is a quick defensive player who makes explosive tackles. Brown missed the second half of last football season with California’s Compton Community College, but still tallied 67 tackles in six games before being sidelined. Green, a trans fer from East Mississippi Junior College, recorded 60 tackles in seven games last sea son. “Foliaki, Smith, Green, and Brown were all expe rienced guys we felt who can come in and provide immediate help on the field,” Franchione said. On the offensive side, the Aggies get a big boost in the receiving corps with the signing of DeQawn Mobley. With senior wide receiver Terrence Murphy return ing, and the addition of Mobley, the A&M passing offense will receive much more respect. Mobley led San Francisco Community College with 449 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 2003. San Francisco head coach George Rush knows Mobley will be hard to defend. “There is absolutely no question about his athleticism - he’s fast,”said San Francisco head coach Goerge Rush. “A&M is going to be very proud of him.” On the offensive line, four seniors won’t be returning from last season, leaving some big gaps to fill. Offensive line man Grant Dickey from Tyler Junior College will provide instant experience and ability that the line needs. This isn’t the first time Tyler head coach Dale Carr has seen one of his players transfer to A&M. Ferguson left Tyler College and experienced instant success at A&M, setting two school records before departing after one year to the NFL. “Hopefully he’ll be as good an offensive lineman as Robert Yemi Babalola OL 6-4 29(1 ®i) Richie Bean P/K 6-0 175 ohdEht Alton Boudreaux LB 6-3 21 (Lafaye Aaron Brown LB 6-3 245 2A(Uni] Pierre Brown WR 6-1 185 IK (Dun Kevin Bryan TE 6-4 245 ute) Jordan Chambless QB 6-1, \m DJ. Davis ATH 6-1 n )((Dunl) Tory DeGrate WR 5-11 181 w) Keith Dickerson WR 6-2 185 (Lata Grant Dickey OL 6-5 308 /Tyler! Lee Foliaki LB 6-3 248 less Trii Kerry Franks WR 5-11 18! fetOri Quentin Gardner DB 5-10 185 Amos Gbunblee TE 6-5 235 y-Sprin Kedric Goins LB 6-0 205 tosp Danny Gorrer DB 6-0 188 ((Menu Renuel Green LB 6-3 221 Mdory Stephen McGee QB 6-4 218 met) DeQawn Mobley WR 6-2 195 (DeWit William Morrisey DL 6-2 288 te) Cyril Obiozor DL 6-4 245 Pearlant Travis Schneider OL 6-7 208 ellville) Chris Smith DL 6-5 265 n) Keondra Smith RB 6-0 195 Terrence Smith LB 6-3 245 Wight Samson Taylor RB 6-0 212 w Mark Young LB 6-3 218 gies ngho JUS was a wide receiver,” said. “He’s a toughti smart athlete, and (to probably do very Dickey also playing for Franchioi his senior season at1| High School, Dickey ted to Franchione at A After Franchione Tuscaloosa for A&M. followed his coach, sitting out a mandatof* 61'-de of eligibility, Dickeyf {fsi 1 season of junior colic! ball before rejoining Franchione in College Utlinga its lar^ ! 6d$0n f Ni Matoi “We know what'ffsji do,” Franchione said like he will be able to and make a huge imp^ 'they t; If the junior college 1 fers work well on thefi the Aggies in 2004, iti' sonable to expect that Franchione will be pa] 1 ior colleges a littlentf tion - they might help! things up a little betted 3 ™tlii duct tape ever could »rstod itefan< Wth of
