Five-star wide receiver Johntay Cook II became the latest recruit to commit to Texas football on Wednesday, making him the ninth player to join the Longhorns in the five days since No. 1 quarterback Arch Manning committed.
Cook, a 6-foot, 175-pound receiver from DeSoto, Texas, near Dallas, is the No. 36 player and No. 6 receiver in the 2023 class, according to the 247Sports Composite Rating. He visited Texas this past weekend and chose the Longhorns over offers from Michigan and Oregon, among others.
Cook is the third five-star recruit and 17th commitment in UT’s 2023 class, which has seen a surge since Manning announced his decision on Thursday. Texas received one commitment Saturday, five Sunday, one Monday and one Tuesday. Five-star safety Derek Williams, the No. 38 player in the class, committed Monday.
With the latest commitment, Texas moved ahead of Notre Dame and now has the second-ranked class in 2023, behind Ohio State.
LSU head football coach Brian Kelly also added a player from the portal this week — former UTSA Roadrunner wide receiver Gregory Clayton Jr. Clayton is a Louisiana native who prepped at Lutcher High before signing with USTA in 2020. He didn’t see the field much in his two years with the Roadrunners but did play some on special teams and on defense, where he logged eight tackles, four tackles for loss and one sack.
CBS LOSING THE 2:30PM SEC TIME SLOT
It won’t happen overnight, but ESPN has outbid CBS for the SEC Game of the Week on Saturday afternoon. This new contract will begin in 2024 and with new announcers. Brad Nessler and Paul Danielson’s contract will soon end, and it is uncertain if ESPN will keep the two who will be in their 70’s. I can definitely see former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy being in line for that job. He is beloved in the South after doing great with his ESPN SIRIUS RADIO SHOW and now host a big college football show out of Birmingham. If ESPN can get Troy Aikman and Joe Buck to leave Fox, then they can afford to go get anybody. It will be a huge hole for CBS on Saturday afternoon to fill.
I took in the movie ELVIS on Tuesday to take advantage of $5.50 day, and I must say I was impressed. Austin Butler is unbelievable in what should be an Oscar nomination. The reviews are great, and you will see why. For those around in May of 1975, you know the excitement it cast in SW Louisiana with this mega star coming to the Civic Center. The tickets sold out in minutes and another show was added for Sunday afternoon. If you watch this movie, you will understand why Colonel Parker forced Elvis to play smaller venues. The movie is quite an entertaining one but really sad when you see the complete story.
AUGUST 16, 1977
There are some dates that you will never forget in your lifetime. I was in the middle of two-a-day practice at Iowa High School in a morning workout. We were on the field in groups when I got the opportunity to run to the dressing room to go to the restroom. The radio was always blaring music in the dressing room even for the managers who were inside washing clothes. They broke into the song with news that Elvis had died. I ran out to the practice and spread the word to the staff. It was that big of news in that era.
I am a music guru so no one else may enjoy hearing this live performance from Lake Charles as much as I do. I am proud to say that Elvis is in my list of over 250 concerts attended and one of 56 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members that I have seen live dating back to being 15 years old. I paid $3.50 for Rolling Stones tickets which was my first concert, and we paid $10 for Elvis which was the most we had paid up to this point. Prices have gone up as I paid $80 for Bob Seger, $80 for Elton John, $100 for Bruce Springstein, $100 for the Eagles, and $110 for Paul McCartney and these were all before Covid. Of course, these are promoter prices from the initial offering (Ticketmaster), but in a Metroplex where in 1996 Paul McCartney ticket sales had 300,000 hits in fifteen minutes and sold out in five minutes.
The Eagles had to do three shows in Dallas three years ago because they were playing in the 22,000 seat American Airlines Center, and their tickets sold-out so fast that all I got was a busy signal. They then go on Stubhub and other secondary outlets for $400-$3000. Chris Stapleton sold out Fort Worth in minutes in January for an October concert, and those tickets immediately went to $500 and up. George Strait tickets in Fort Worth went on sale two months ago, and I promised my wife I would get them for her birthday. I think the concert is in September, but he is so popular in Texas that he sold out 75,000 tickets at Jerry World in 2016 in about 30 minutes. I failed on my Fort Worth attempt.
I keep my list updated as we still like to add to our list which Covid interrupted. Set lists are important to me, so I included the list for Lake Charles. We drove out to the Chateau Charles (West Lake) earlier in the day to try to get a glimpse of Elvis and we hoped to see his limo after the concert, but we found out that “he had left the building” minutes prior to the concert ending. His humor is exhibited here several times including the orchestra playing fake notes.
Fans that see the movie may want to visit the International Hotel in Las Vegas where Elvis played. I can tell you that it is now known as the Westgate Hotel and Resort. However, for most of the past 40 years, it was known as the Hilton Hotel. I actually had the opportunity to go to Las Vegas on occasion with a high roller from Lake Charles. He asked for the Elvis Suite on the top floor. We have no clue if it were the same room or not, but it was similar meaning a huge suite with three bedrooms, huge living room, and a large bar. It took a special key to open the top floor.
Since Manning committed last week, the Longhorns have picked up seven verbal commitments. On Monday evening, they landed five-star safety Derek Williams of New Iberia (La.) Westgate, the No. 37 overall player in the 2023 class.
The Longhorns are also trending with five-star receiver Johntay Cook of DeSoto (Texas) High and five-star linebacker Anthony Hill of Denton (Texas) Ryan. The Longhorns flipped an OL from TCU on Monday as well.
PHIL STEELE’S COLLEGE FOOTBALL HITS THE NEWSTANDS TODAY
Today is a big day for collectors of Phil Steele’s magazine. I have been collecting them for about 30 years and cannot wait until Barnes and Nobles set them out on July 4th. They are very popular in football savvy Texas, so I have to get there early. I am not sure about Books a Million in Lake Charles, but nationwide the magazine is in some stores starting today. Phil is in Columbus, Ohio today signing autographs. This is the most complete guide to college football there is and a must for any gambler in the family.
MOST UPDATED RECRUITING RANKINGS FOR 2023
Texas and Notre Dame have made the most progress over last year. We are still early, but Florida fans are not happy with being 30th, Oklahoma fans not happy at 39, and LSU fans not happy at 45. You have to consider the fact that most Top 10 programs have locked up more than 15 commitments which puts them at least halfway. Programs like Bama (8), OU (8), Florida (9), and LSU (6) have committed less than 10, so they are only about 20-33% done.
I love watching documentaries and learning about the keys to success. My favorite deal with business is when you read or hear about “eyes wide open” entrepreneurs who take risk that pay off big time with huge dividends. I just watched a doc and interview with Jimmy John Liataud who was interested in setting up a hotdog stand in Illinois after graduating high school. His dad wanted him to join the army if he were not going to college. They made a deal in which dad loaned him $25,000 to start a business, but if he failed after two years, he must join the army.
Jimmy didn’t have enough money to buy equipment to start a hotdog business, so he took the cheapest route. He offered three kinds of sandwiches, learned to cook bread, and rented a garage to sell his wares. His dedicated work habits, long hours of individual sacrifice, and motivation led him to make it in a tough business. He welcomed competition because his dad had taught him that hard work and persistence pays off. After opening 300 or so stores and building an empire, Jimmy John sold his franchises for over a billion and is currently worth over 3 billion. He paid his dad back after two years with interest.
Many stories exist like this in all markets of business. It usually boils down to the very same characteristics in business that make successful athletes. They are not afraid of hard work, they have that competitive edge, and they have a drive to succeed.
I believe that competition makes product and performance improve. You either up your game in business, or you fail. As Jimmy stated in his interview, he started with three simple sandwiches, but his goal was to perfect simplicity and then expand the product with more choices. You don’t blow past Pot Belly, Subway, etc. by being boring. You take risks and work to improve your product.
The entire college football world puts more emphasis on quarterback than any other position. If you have a leader and a great producer, you have a shot for success. I am intrigued by some of the competition at places like McNeese, LSU, Texas A&M, Texas, OU, and Georgia. If you have a returning All-American, count yourself lucky, but if you have the system in place, a base of good players around the position, your program is going to attract transfers. Each and every one of the above-mentioned programs enters August with question marks, but with competitive talent.
LSU is four deep on talent the Tigers historically haven’t had at the position, and perhaps more importantly that talent is spread out to — in an ideal world — give LSU a succession plan under center for the next four years. There’s Brennan back as an experienced sixth-year senior with a chip on his shoulder. There’s Arizona State transfer Jayden Daniels, an uber-athletic three-year starter trying to improve his draft stock. Redshirt freshman Garrett Nussmeier displayed as much talent as any of them this spring, and though five-star early enrollee Walker Howard isn’t a contender to start this season, he’s one of the best quarterback prospects LSU has ever signed.
T.J Finley , Max Johnson, Lowell Narcisse, and Lindsey Scott were all former LSU quarterbacks. Finley is battling for the start at Auburn, Johnson is in a war at A&M, and Narcisse and Scott are playing musical chairs. Scott is with his fourth team after being jerked at halftime against McNeese last year and leaving for UIW. Narcisse battled for the job at UTSA, lost the starting position, and has left for Nicholls State. He too will have to beat out Kohen Granier who put Scott on the bench.
McNeese is in a similar position as LSU, not losing transfer quarterbacks, but with competition. Everyone seems to know their choice at LSU, but they really don’t know. Brian Kelly probably doesn’t know. August scrimmages will determine that job. McNeese has three guys chasing a dream, but none has a big advantage with knowledge of the scheme. Walker Wood was a great high school quarterback but has yet to see much action in college. Ditto Knox Kadum. A late addition (Cam Ransom) this summer did play as a true freshman at Georgia Southern, but he has five months of spring workouts behind the other two.
All I know is that when the season starts, the most popular choice will be the backup when the starter makes a mistake.
One area of business success that Jimmy John possessed was leadership. He taught work ethic by example. In his first two years, he had over 50 employees quit on him, so he just decided to open and close and work 16 hours a day to make sure everything was done right. A quarterback has to have that leadership and prove to his teammates he is outworking them. Joe Burrow proved it at LSU, and the others followed. Who will step up and show those qualities at A&M, Texas, OU, McNeese, or LSU?
One thing is for sure, those that thrive in competition and use the opportunity to push themselves, will have a leg up on those who feel they are entitled to the starting position. Nick Saban has proven he will make a change during halftime of a national title game if he thinks the team needs it. Obviously, Nicholls HC Tim Rebowe is not afraid of change. I know Steve Sarkasian and Jimbo Fisher come from the same school of thought as Lou Holtz. My favorite Lou Hotz quote came from a South Carolina press conference. When asked about the previous year under a different coach, what he thought of the quarterback throwing 19 interceptions Holtz had the answer that startled the media. He promised USC fans and media that his quarterback would not throw more than 10 interceptions. It was a guarantee that only Holtz could promise. When asked how he could guarantee it, Holtz replied ” When he throws #10, he will be sitting on the sidelines.”
Let the competition begin! I cannot wait.
LAKE CHARLES IS SLOWLY RECOVERING
The city is slowly repairing and cleaning up even with insurance money trickling in at a snail’s pace. McNeese is no different. However, we have seen basketball reopen their facility, baseball and softball reinventing themselves, and football is in the process. I am happy to report that the McNeese track is almost done.
The entrance has been repaired. The track has been resurfaced, and the weight throw area rebuild as well as the shot-put area remodeled. It is finally time to host a meet again!
TEXAS ADDS 4TH OL AFTER MANNING COMMIT
Trevor has been committed to TCU for months but dropped them Sunday night to commit to Texas. (UPDATE 7:30AM) 5-star safety Derek Williams of Westgate High in New Iberia has committed to Texas. Williams is No. 3 on the list of Top Louisiana Prospects for 2023 .
Congratulations to Mike Bianco on winning Ole Miss a national title. Mike played at LSU and coached at McNeese. He has made his fans very proud.
FLORIDA GATOR FANS GOING CRAZY
It is a sad state of affairs when social media and rapid fans can have such an impact on a coach and his program before a season even begins. One of the reasons I hate following advance recruiting is that computer ratings can stir the pot on fans attitude. Florida fans are upset that they have lost a couple of recruits to their competitors even though no one has signed anything, and we are either six months from December signing day or 8 months from February signing day. Fans don’t realize it but they are creating negative vibes to recruits through social media. Most all recruits have acknowledged that they follow message boards and social media in order to get a read on program momentum and fan’s confidence in the coaches, etc.
This is an exert from an article blasting fans who are down on Billy Napier.
The honeymoon phase didn’t last long between Florida Gators fans and new football coach Billy Napier.
Napier replace Dan Mullen in November and, after a brief period of hype, already has fans calling for him to go. The for Louisiana-Lafayette head man has yet to coach a game for the Gators, but the anger stems over the Gators’ rough recruiting stretch.
Napier signed a seven-year deal worth $51.8 million, which puts him as the fifth highest-paid coach in the conference. Napier is reportedly set to make $7.1 million in the first year of his contract and agreed to an annual raise of $100,000. It would cost them about $50 million to get rid of him which of course is not going to happen. He is an excellent coach that does not deserve all of the negative reaction.
MCNEESE LOOKING FOR A DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
An offer has been extended to New Mexico State DT Ivan Escober who entered the transfer portal last week. Escober (6’3 290) played in six games as a true freshman. This is not a commitment, just a show of interest. Hopefully, no one has left the team at the DL position. The Pokes are expected to have Joey McNeely, Masry Mapieu, Accord Green, Arthur Lott, and Welland Williams back to fill the gaps. We know that Leon Young left for Texas A-M-Commerce but was replaced by South Carolina transfer Will Rogers. Eli Goss didn’t return to the program this summer. Phillip Bradford reported as a true freshman.
SHOCKING NEWS FROM MLB
Odd. Surreal. Weird. Confusing.
Those were the terms used by members of the Twins’ traveling party Sunday evening to describe the 90-minute flight to Cleveland, when word leaked out that highly regarded pitching coach Wes Johnson accepted a significant raise to become the new pitching coach at Louisiana State University, multiple sources confirmed to The Athletic.
I don’t know how in the hell LSU can afford to pay $750,000 for a pitching coach, but money grows on trees at LSU. This is $400,000 more than the Twins can afford to pay. Johnson previously coached at Arkansas so he may just want back into college.
TEXAS LONGHORNS COMMIT SIX SINCE ARCH MANNING DECISION
Sunday was a huge day for Steve Sarkasian of Texas. He picked up four new commitments while in the process of defeating Texas A&M, Oklahoma, LSU, Alabama, and others for two huge offensive linemen. Connor Stro (6’7 340) was a lock for A&M because he was an Aggie child of two Aggie parents and has a sibling at Texas A&M. He changed his mind with an opportunity to pass block for Arch Manning. Jaydon Chapmen is also a Texas high school product who goes 6’4 320 and is 4-star. He too chose Texas over A&M, Bama, and LSU. A WR and linebacker from Hawaii also committed to the Longhorns. Liona Lafau (Hawaii) is a LB that USC, Oregon, Stanford, UCLA, and other West Coast programs had offered.
In other Sunday news, Nick Saban committed his second 5-star player from the high school ranks in Alabama.
LCHS REUNION
I really regretted not being able to get to Lake Charles this weekend to visit some friendships. My high school had their annual reunion at the Civic Center and had a huge turnout. It has been almost 40 years since the school closed, but the alumni are stronger than ever. Two ex-McNeese beat writers were former editors of the school newspaper at LCHS. I truly miss Bobby Dower and Gary Laney.
Ole Miss and Mike Bianco will try to win their first national title in baseball today when they face Oklahoma in Game 2 of the College World Series. Ole Miss crushed OU last night 10-3.
The Sooners turn to redshirt freshman pitcher Cade Horton to start in Game 2 and have to feel good about his chances of slowing down the Rebels.
Horton has had an exceptional postseason and has allowed just seven runs with 36 strikeouts over 23 2/3 innings in his last four starts, including a CWS win over Notre Dame in his last outing.
MANNING PASSING ACADEMY FINDING SOME GEMS
There are some outstanding instructors at the Manning Academy including former NFL quarterbacks as well as current collegiate stars like Bryce Young of Alabama. However, they are some quarterbacks from little known schools such as Shephard College, St. Francis, and Nicholls State who have quarterbacks who are shinning. Nicholls quarterback Kohen Granier won the accuracy contents by hitting two of three moving targets which was better than all the rest All-Americans that were participating.
Maybe the most interesting situation is to learn that former Tiger QB Max Johnson is rooming with current LSU QB Myles Brennan.
Three weeks after he defeated Texas A&M by dropping the game-winning, 45-yard touchdown pass into the hands of Jaray Jenkins, he decided he’d move to College Station to play for those same Aggies. It didn’t take long, he said, for someone from Aggieland to broach the subject of that game, final drive and throw to the end zone.
“I guess the first day,” he said. “I earned their respect that way. I think I just bonded with those guys really well. It hasn’t been weird at all, talking about those guys in that situation. It’s all love now. All respect.”
Johnson said he chose Texas A&M to learn from coach Jimbo Fisher, who knows how to develop a quarterback. His pro-style offense, through which quarterbacks take snaps from both the shotgun and under center, attracted Johnson. So did the team’s defense and its top-ranked recruiting class.
“It was a business decision for me,” Johnson said. “That’s really all I got to say about it. I love those guys at LSU, but it was just the right fit for me to move on and go to Texas A&M.”
In a way, Johnson is traveling back in time this summer. Like three years ago, he lives in a new town. He’s meeting new coaches and teammates. He is learning a new scheme. And once again, he’s spending time with Brennan.
The two quarterbacks’ careers are intertwined, and their paths have crossed yet again. But it won’t be the last time: LSU travels to College Station to play Johnson’s Aggies on Nov. 26.
“Starting over,” Johnson said. “It felt like I was a freshman again.”
DESOTO WINS 7 ON 7 STATE TITLE
DeSoto flexed their muscle Saturday outscoring their opponents in the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals by a score of 92-14. Of course, 7 on 7 doesn’t necessarily translate into December championships, but usually champions in 7 on 7 have great offenses in the fall. DeSoto came from behind to defeat Midlothian Heritage in the finals by 10 points. Heritage lost their coach to Allen, but the offense is still great. In winning the event, DeSoto had to get by powerful Fort Bend Hightower and district rivals Duncanville and Cedar Hill. They also took down speedy Klein Collins in the quarterfinals. Since 7 on 7 is without pads and trench warfare, teams loaded with skill people and speed do well. It is no coincidence that when talking of Summer Creek, DeSoto, Duncanville, Hightower, Klein Collins, Cedar Hill, etc. you are also talking about state track contenders.
It is also not lost on me that several programs making it to the Saturday finals had college recruits as quarterbacks.
The University of Incarnate Word took time in making the decision on the WAC but finally told Chris Grant that the university wanted to stay in the SLC. This means that in less than two months, the two newest additions to the WAC (Lamar and UIW) have left in order to return to the Southland. It really didn’t make sense economically for either program to spend that kind of money on travel in a sport’s savvy state like Texas. I know it is hard to believe, but most fans are not familiar with Seattle U., Cal Baptist, Utah Valley, Rio Grande-Texas, and Dixie State. Chicago State has no connection to anyone geographically.
The cost of travel to Washington, California, Arizona, and Utah is enormous for basketball and spring sports. The fact is that when Sam Houston and New Mexico State left, it changed the game because these two programs were dead set on moving into the FBS. Tarleton State, SFA, ACU, and Rio Grande will now be the Texas representation in the WAC. The biggest loser, in my opinion, is SFA. The Lumberjacks have been in a rivalry with Sam Houston State as far back as the record books will allow. Losing these games will not only hurt attendance but end the competitive bantering between these neighbors. I have a feeling Sam Houston just wants a competitive recruiting advantage over SFA.
I don’t get all caught up in the discussions of transferring leagues, etc. because I have crossed those roads so many times dating back to my enrollment at McNeese. My first recollection of participating in track was that we were in the Gulf States Conference. Our colors were purple and gold. I ended up on the baseball team in the following year or two, and my recollection was that we were still in the GSC, but the talks were about joining the Southland Conference. I am sure the history books will dispute my recollection, but I want to say that in one of those years (70-71 maybe), we were in transition and did not compete for a baseball title in that year. I am probably wrong, but the players just played ball and didn’t worry about the rumors. In 1972, The Cowboys in blue and gold played in the Southland Conference.
I know we have made decisions in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s to remain in the Southland rather than follow LA. Tech and USL. There have been discussions at least two other times on moving up, but no serious results. I have no control over the situation; and if it is the cards to move, then it will happen.
The Southland is now in much better shape today that it was yesterday. With the loss of McNeese, the SLC was on life support and probably would not have survived. They would have ultimately lost their FCS playoff ticket. I know the rest of the SLC is upset with the concessions they made for McNeese, but they knew that Heath Schroyer held the ace cards. The result of Lamar and UIW coming back to the league at least guarentees the SLC will have 8 football playing schools and a total of 10 participants in basketball. The immediate future is set, while we wait on the long-term future.
To tell you the truth, I didn’t care what UIW did. I thought Lamar was a much more needed program. My only concern now is this current football schedule. The Pokes are scheduled to play a home and home with Nicholls State, but that will thankfully change. However, we owe Nicholls a road trip because they have been to Lake Charles twice in a row. If the SLC were to force us to travel to Nicholls and UIW, then it would present an unbalanced and unfriendly schedule. McNeese would have only HBU and SLU as conference home games and have to travel to Nicholls, UIW, Northwestern State, and Commerce. This would be unacceptable.
I don’t think the SLC will put Nicholls in Lake Charles for three consecutive seasons, so it is imperative that UIW comes to Lake Charles. As I have said many times, scheduling is extremely important. If we are going to have a balanced schedule, then a six-game conference schedule has to be 3 and 3 for everybody. We should know something within a couple of weeks. UIW at home would give us our six home games and add the defending champions to our season ticket package.
LSU BASEBALL ADDS TWO QUALITY PORTAL TRANSFERS
LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson reached out to secure a top hitter from North Carolina State and a productive pitcher from Vanderbilt on Friday.
Tony White is a 1st-3rd player from NC State who set freshman records in the ACC with his home run prowess.
White set the NCAA freshman home run record with 27 last season. He also batted .362 on the year, earned 2022 ACC Freshman of the Year accolades, and led all freshmen in home runs, RBIs (74) and slugging percentage (.757).
Christian Little is a right-handed pitcher who pitched only 38 innings for Vanderbilt but had a 3.7 ERA. Little is a strike out pitcher suited for late inning work but walked 17 batters in 38 innings which is too high to be a weekend pitcher. I expect he will be in the bullpen for Johnson.
7 ON 7 STATE TOURNAMENT IN COLLEGE STATION
It was hot! How about 102 degrees hot? That is about all I know about Day One other than several big-time players added Texas to their list after Arch Manning committed. The scouts who were at the tournament raved about Silsbee, Celina, DeSoto, and Gunter as teams undefeated and shining. An up-and-coming program is Anna. They have a good-looking quarterback who has pledge to Louisiana Tech. I expect Anna and Melissa to be powerhouses in the future as tons of new home buyers are moving north of the McKinney/Allen/Frisco due to limited land availability.
CONGRATULATIONS JACK ZELEZINSKI
Jack is a 6’5 285 offensive tackle at McNeese who has had more important business than football. Jack was diagnosed with cancer back in the fall and has been undergoing treatment the past five months. Jack has completed 4 months of treatment and has been cleared of cancer. Great news!
After 4 months of Chemo and 15 Radiation treatments I can say I kicked cancers ass. It's been a tough 6 months but it stood no chance. I know coming back from this to play football won’t be easy, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. Thank you for all the support and prayers. pic.twitter.com/dGd9d4h21e
McNeese second year head women’s basketball coach Lynn Kennedy has announced the addition of Auburn transfer Paris Mullins to the 2022-23 roster.
“We are excited to add Paris to our team,” said head coach Lynn Kennedy. “She will bring experience at multiple post positions and has an unbelievable passion for the game. She is a winner and brings a championship mindset.”
Mullins is 6’2 and should add some strength and rebounding to the post position. Australian Emerson Taylor is no longer on the team, and it appears Mullins is replacing her.
HUGE NATIONAL COMMITMENTS THIS WEEK
The commitment of Arch Manning to Texas was just the tip of the iceberg for 2023 recruits. Ohio State’s success on the recruiting trail continued on Tuesday when Brandon Inniss, a five-star wide receiver and the No. 18 overall player in the Class of 2023, announced his commitment to the Buckeyes over USC. Inniss is the second five-star wide receiver to commit to coach Ryan Day’s program in as many days. Carnell Tate, the No. 28 overall player in the current recruiting cycle, pledged to the Buckeyes on Monday. There are others recently headed to Alabama, UGA, and USC as the rich continue to separate themselves from the pact for 2023.
LSU picked up a commitment from 3-star WR Kyle Parker from Lovejoy High School. Lovejoy should be good this year as they have three WR’s who are 3-star. Parker is originally from Louisiana.
However, the talk today is about why Arch Manning is such a good catch for Steve Sarkisian.
Put a value on a kid who wears a ball cap every day, drives a truck and picks up all of his friends and drives them to and from school. And he’s just like Peyton — a former top-tier recruit who was friends with other elite-level prospects and was on the phone with them the day he committed to Tennessee. Arch Manning was never in front of cameras or posting Twitter messages that drew manufactured love from anonymous college football fans, but he was on group text messages with top-100 players from coast to coast. You can bet Manning’s phone is buzzing right now — not only because of his commitment but because other top-tier prospects who want to play with him are now considering Texas.
There will be more 6’4 220 quarterbacks who have a cannon for an arm, but what Texas is getting is class and breed. “He’s very social,” Newman coach Stewart said. “He’s very popular. He’s always surrounded by friends, a lot of which he’s had since he was in pre-K at Newman. He’s just not caught up in the rest of what maybe other people would be. We never discuss things like NIL or conferences or uniforms team’s wear. He’s just about the school, forming relationships and forming relationships with the entire staff. Not just the head coach, but the offensive coordinator, the strength coach the recruiting staffers, all of them. But the most important thing to him? Getting along in the locker room.”
So how do you rate a kid who is all about football and relationships, not the drama of becoming the most media-savvy recruit of all time? If Manning wanted to turn his recruitment into a documentary, Netflix would have been at his front door before the phone clicked off. If he wanted NIL money, he’d have more sponsorships than he’d know what to do with. Flo from Progressive would have to learn how to weave football puns into a commercial urging you to bundle your home and auto insurance. This is a kid who has everything he wants at his fingertips. Money, attention, hype, profile, all of it was right there for the taking.
But all he cares about is playing ball.
ALL LOUISIANA SOFTBALL TEAM
OKLAHOMA VS OLE MISS IN COLLEGE WORLD SERIES FINAL
Game 1: Saturday, June 25, 7:00 p.m. ET, Ole Miss vs. Oklahoma, ESPN Game 2: Sunday, June 26, 3:00 p.m. ET, Oklahoma vs. Ole Miss, ESPN Game 3*: Monday, June 27, 7:00 p.m. ET, Oklahoma & Ole Miss ESPN (home team decided by coin flip)
I like Oklahoma to win this series. Ole Miss having to play the extra game and pitch their ace is a disadvantage. OU has a completely rested bullpen for Saturday. I am pulling for Ole Miss, but OU has been so hot.
It is time to get pumped up. The Cowboy Caravan is back, and it is coming to a city near you! The entire staff of head coaches will meet and greet as well as give an update on their specific sports. Houston fans and parents should plan on signing up for July 14 and attending the Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company. It is important to build that base of fans in preparation of the football team visiting Rice this September. All four events will be from 6-8PM and provide refreshments. I have provided a form that you can email to the athletic department so they can get an idea of how many guests will be attending.
McNeese University has acquired the former Jeff Davis Bank that is located on the corner of Ryan and Sale to create a new health service area.
This new facility will also host expanded services, including an urgent care facility staffed by Christus Ochsner Health to also serve McNeese faculty and staff.
“We’ll have health care providers right on our campus seven days a week, 12 hours a day,” said Wade Rousse, McNeese vice president for university advancement. “It’s going to be a lot more convenient and we think provide a lot better care for our McNeese family.”
The new Student Health Services facility will also allow McNeese nursing students to gain required preceptor hours through a partnership with Christus Ochsner Health.
“We are excited about the potential collaboration with Christus,” said Ann Warner, interim dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions. “It will be valuable to our nursing students and the entire student body.”
NBA DRAFT TONIGHT
Freshmen will dominate the NBA draft tonight with sophomores closely behind. I doubt if a senior is taken in the first 15 picks. Here is a mock draft to prove the point.
1
Orlando Magic
Paolo Banchero
Duke
Forward
Freshman
2
Oklahoma City Thunder
Chet Holmgren
Gonzaga
Forward/Big
Freshman
3
Houston Rockets
Jabari Smith Jr.
Auburn
Forward/Big
Freshman
4
Sacramento Kings
Keegan Murray
Iowa
Forward
Sophomore
5
Detroit Pistons
Jaden Ivey
Purdue
Guard
Sophomore
6
Indiana Pacers
Bennedict Mathurin
Arizona
Guard
Sophomore
7
Portland Trail Blazers
Dyson Daniels
G League
Wing
Born 2003
8
New Orleans Pelicans
Shaedon Sharpe
Kentucky
Guard
Freshman
9
San Antonio Spurs
Jalen Duren
Memphis
Center
Freshman
10
Washington Wizards
Johnny Davis
Wisconsin
Guard
Sophomore
11
New York Knicks
AJ Griffin
Duke
Wing
Freshman
12
Oklahoma City Thunder
Ousmane Dieng
France
Forward
Born 2003
13
Charlotte Hornets
Jeremy Sochan
Baylor
Forward
Freshman
14
Cleveland Cavaliers
Malaki Branham
Ohio State
Guard
Freshman
15
Charlotte Hornets
Mark Williams
Duke
Center
Freshman
OKLAHOMA PUNCHES THEIR TICKET TO CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
OU defeated Texas A&M 5-1 on Wednesday to advance to the championship series. OU is trying to win both the softball and baseball NCAA titles in the same year. Arkansas won an exciting 3-2 game over Ole Miss to force a deciding game today for a trip to the championship. This is an afternoon game, not a night game.
Oklahoma and Ole Miss are one win away from playing in the championship series. Texas A&M and Arkansas both must win in order to force a game two on Thursday. The interesting part of this scenario is that the SEC West has three of the four remaining teams. The fourth team(OU) could be placed in the SEC West as well. I do not see the SEC having divisions in 2024-2025, but if it were to take place, we could see OU, Texas, Texas A&M, and Arkansas all in the West along with LSU and Missouri. It is going to be brutal in baseball either way they go.
TRANSFERS AFFECT HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL MORE THAN FOOTBALL
Football gets all the scrutiny over transferring from one high school to another, but the gurus say that basketball transfers have a much larger impact on state competition. Even in Louisiana, plenty of players are transferring that deflate programs that they help build up while jumping to powerhouse programs that are one player away from a state title.
I won’t go through the changes that I have read about but will add one more example of how 6A basketball in Texas is being affected by transfers. Duncanville has three straight state titles as well as one national championship and another runner-up during the 19-21-22 seasons. Get ready to add another state title and maybe national title to the coach’s resume.
El Paso Chapin rising senior KJ Lewis, a four-star recruit committed to Arizona and the No. 30 recruit in the country, announced his transfer to Duncanville on Tuesday night. The 6-4 guard averaged 20 points, eight rebounds, and three steals for El Chapin (31-5) as a junior and was named the El Paso Times Co-Player of the Year.
Lewis’ transfer now gives Duncanville the top two class of 2023 recruits in the state of Texas and three of the top six. Five-star forward Ron Holland, the sixth-ranked recruit in the country per 247Sports.com and a first-team Dallas Morning News all-area honoree last season, is ranked first. Lewis is ranked second, and four-star forward Cameron Barnes is ranked sixth. Last year DHS added Coppell’s best player in history when a 5-star McDonald All-American moved in last July.
Duncanville will lineup with a 5-star, two 4-stars, and one 3-star in the starting lineup. Three-star forward Ashton Hardaway, a rising senior and the son of former NBA All-Star Penny Hardaway, transferred into Duncanville last summer too, and will return for his senior year.
I am not accusing DHS of actually recruiting players with offers, etc. I blame a lot of this on AAU Select teams where the best players flock to playing together on mega-summer teams. The other players talk to players from the other programs about coming and playing with them. Garland had a 6’9 Parade All-American who ended up All-Pac 12 for Arizona State. His presence alone gave hope to the coach that his team could win 20 plus games and win a district title. There was not enough support on the court to go much further than the first or second round. He was recruited hard by a Duncanville player and an Arlington player who played for great high school teams. Luckily, he was Nigerian where family puts great stock on education and what dad says. The dad squashed those rumors and told his son where he was going to play.
JOHN AIKEN BASKETBALL CAMP WRAPS UP SUCCESSFULL CAMP
The summers of 2019-2020-2021 were anything but normal with lack of practice area and with COVID restrictions, so it has to feel good to get things back to normal. You cannot value how great it is to have the facilities to put on larger camps. I have worked McNeese camps in Memorial Gym which was not air-conditioned and there was one full court. I have worked camps in the Arena when the best we could do was give basketball two full courts but was airconditioned. However, having areas to serve food and drinks as well as plenty of restrooms, etc. is just a huge bonus.
TEXAS 7 ON 7 STATE TOURNAMENT THIS WEEKEND
When, where: Thursday through Saturday at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex in College Station.
Championship games: Division II and Division III will play their championship games at approximately noon on Friday. Division I will play its championship game at approximately noon Saturday.
Coaching: No high school coach may serve as a coach or stand with the team on the sideline. It is often a parent who coaches the team. All high school coaches present must sit in the end zone. No high school coaches are allowed on the sideline. Each team must have a coach accompany it to any/all events to serve as a school administrator on duty for their particular team(s). This individual is responsible for the action of those representing his school.
Headgear: Softshell helmets must be worn by all participants while on the field.
Admission: Spectators get in free.
It is interesting to follow the results, but there is no correlation between who is going to win the state title in December. These programs have outstanding passing attacks, but it is hard to judge toughness, depth, defense, and line play in 7 on 7. Hebron won the state 6A 7 on 7 title last year and had a fine year in the fall. However, teams not making it to state this year include Duncanville, Lake Travis, Austin West Lake, Southlake Carroll, Allen, Rockwall, Highland Park, and Denton Guyer who all will be strong contenders in the fall.
Zem's Gems 