Tag: denton ryan

Top 2021 signee Ja’Tavion Sanders caps off senior year with state title

From state champion to Texas Longhorns signee, Denton Ryan’s Ja’Tavion Sanders brings a new level of excitement to the Forty Acres.

The Texas Longhorns are going to get a two-way playmaker when Ja’Tavion Sanders officially arrives to the Forty Acres. Continue reading “Top 2021 signee Ja’Tavion Sanders caps off senior year with state title”

New Oklahoma commit blasts Longhorns’ coaching staff

Not even 24 hours following the commitment of former recruit Billy Bowman, he leaves a parting shot at the Texas Longhorns staff.

Recently  the Texas Longhorns lost one of their top recruits in the 2021 class. Billy Bowman decommitted from the program and decided to re-open his recruitment. Shortly after the announcement he announced that Georgia, LSU and Oklahoma would be his final three choices. On Sunday night, Bowman committed to the Longhorns bitter rivals, the Sooners.

Following the announcement, the Denton Record-Chronicle posted an interview with Bowman. He mentioned why he chose to go to Norman with a parting shot for the Longhorns.

“I feel like Oklahoma checked every single one of my bullet points,” Bowman said. “One of them was being able to play on one of the biggest stages in college football. I also wanted to be closer to home, be around coaches who know what they are doing, and be around a championship program. I feel like I made the right decision for me, my family and my future.”

Bowman went on to say that he felt that he made his decision to commit to Texas too quickly in the process. Given the mass exodus of recruits as of late, he likely isn’t the only one who felt this way. The Longhorns have played in one New Years Six bowl since Mack Brown left town. Not only that but only one Big 12 title game appearance since 2009. The Longhorns definitely have not been a championship caliber team in a decade.

The comment about coaches knowing what they are doing is also not something that is new. Many have questioned this staff with their lack of talent evaluation, development and decision making on the field. When a highly touted recruit makes statements like this, it can send shockwaves throughout the recruiting landscape. Not that the Quinn Ewers decommitment didn’t already.

 

Breaking: Texas decommit Billy Bowman officially commits to Oklahoma

The Texas Longhorns once held the commitment from Billy Bowman. Not even a month after his decommitment, he commits to the Oklahoma Sooners.

During the mass exodus that has occurred over the last several months, the Texas Longhorns lost Quinn Ewers and Phaizon Wilson from their 2022 class. They haven’t been the only ones. Denton Ryan’s Billy Bowman was the other notable name to decide to think about his decision to commit to Tom Herman and the Longhorns. On Sunday night he officially made his decision which wasn’t a surprise to anyone.

Bowman will now be heading across the Red River to join the Oklahoma Sooners. The Sooners and Longhorns battle it out in every sport and on the recruiting trail, more often than not going after the same players throughout the state of Texas. You can add one more to the list. It was widely known that Oklahoma would be the front-runner. According to Horns247’s Mike Roach, Bowman wanted to be considered for offense and not defense. Some held out hope that Herman and Yurcich would reclaim his commitment.

The Longhorns 2021 recruiting class is currently ranked 17th in the nation with 17 total commits. The class is led by Bowman’s teammate at Denton Ryan, Ja’Tavion Sanders. If the class finishes 11th or worse it will be the worst ranking under Tom Herman who has secured a top 10 class every year since his hire.

It appears this staff still has some work to do to finish out this class and stop the recruiting hemorrhaging that has occurred in recent months.

Texas Football Recruiting: 2021 four-star athlete Billy Bowman decommits

Texas’ 2021 recruiting misery continued on Wednesday, with Billy Bowman decommitting. He was UT’s second-highest rated recruit in the class.

Texas’ 2021 recruiting misery continued on Wednesday night, with Billy Bowman decommitting. A four-star athlete on the 247Sports composite, Bowman was the Longhorns’ second-highest rated recruiting in the class.

Coming out of Denton Ryan High School in the Dallas Fort Worth area, Bowman announced his decision via Twitter. Here is what he had to say:

I’ve decided to take a step back, analyze my future & dream goals. I want to thank everyone at The University of Texas for recruiting & beleiving in me. I will be decommitting & re-opening my recruitment. Thank you all for your support and prayers.

No Interviews Please

Defensive coordinator Chris Ash and cornerbacks coach Jay Valai have been the main recruiters for Bowman. The four-star prospect had committed to Texas back in July 2019. Now, Bowman will have 30 other offers to decide from.

Able to play wide receiver, defensive back, and even return punts, Bowman was listed as an athlete on 247Sports. Nationally, the senior was the No. 33 overall player and the No. 6 prospect in the state of Texas.

Texas’ 2021 class has dropped to No. 17 in the country. Bowman was seen as an intricate member of the #trUTh21 movement. Tom Herman’s off the field recruiting performance will not help his poor on the field results.

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Texas commits Ja’Tavion Sanders, Billy Bowman account for four TDs

Texas commitments Ja’Tavion Sanders and Billy Bowman exploded in Denton Ryan’s season opener.

Texas head coach Tom Herman is putting together an impressive 2021 recruiting class. Continue reading “Texas commits Ja’Tavion Sanders, Billy Bowman account for four TDs”

2021 Recruiting Profile: Denton Ryan athlete Ja’Tavion Sanders

Top rated 2021 recruit for the Texas Longhorns Ja’Tavion Sanders. Will Sanders be the next ‘Jack’ for the Longhorns defense?

While Ja’Tavion Sanders is both a pass catcher and pass rusher, he is projected as a quarterback hunter for the Longhorns. Once Joseph Ossai moves on to the NFL, look for Sanders to try and take up the mantle as the “Jack” over the next several years for Texas.

Sanders was the first player to commit in the 2021 recruiting class and he is also the highest-rated one. He gives the Longhorns their second-straight commitment from a 247Sports composite five-star after the team signed Alfred Collins in the last cycle.

Vitals
Hometown Denton, Texas
Projected Position Defensive End/Jack
Height 6-3.5
Weight 220
Rating
Stars Overall State Position
247 4 17 3 2
Rivals 4 45 7 2
ESPN 4 48 5 4
247 Composite 5 24 4 2
Commitment (September 8, 2019)

Analysis

Power Five-caliber recruit on both sides of the ball as an edge defender and flex tight end. Good height with enough frame space to add some bulk. Flashes straight-line athleticism to run by much smaller players, including as a wideout in the passing game. Quick off the line when playing in a three-point stance. Not just an edge-bender but a corner-turner when rushing the passer. Strong tackler. High-motor player who’s active and engaged against the run. Shows encouraging hands-catching ability for a two-way player with ample defensive experience. Dangerous against the screen pass because of that. Could potentially fit multiple defensive schemes. Strong junior campaign on offense reinvigorated case for long-term offensive positional home. Great ball skills. Strong production when considering two-way duties against good competition. Will need to expand pass-rushing repertoire if playing off the edge in college. Relies on athleticism to beat high school OT’s. If playing tight end, will need to hone technique as a blocker in the box as he’s often asked to play as a wideout, rather than an in-line TE or H-back. Very intriguing prospect thanks to physical potential, athleticism, and playmaking ability on both sides of the ball. Possesses long-term early-round NFL Draft ceiling. – Gabe Brooks 247Sports

Two Texas Commits Move Up in 247Sports’ Latest Rankings

Two 2021 recruits recently got huge rankings bump. Ja’Tavion Sanders and Billy Bowman both shot up to No. 14 and No. 37 respectively.

After another recruiting cycle in the top 10, the 2021 recruiting class is once again expected to be one of the best in the country. Currently ranked seventh on 247Sports, the Longhorns have the best class in the Big 12 by a good margin (Oklahoma is ranked 21st) and only Ohio State, Clemson, Florida, Notre Dame, Miami, and Wisconsin are in the rankings.

Texas’ top two rated 2021 recruits recently got a huge bump with 247Sports’ latest rankings coming out. Ja’Tavion Sanders and Billy Bowman both shot up the boards, with Sanders being ranked the 14th best prospect in the country and Bowman coming in at the 37th.

Both of them come out of the same high school at Denton Ryan. Bowman plays wide receiver alongside Sanders, even though he is a two-way player. When they line up together, they arguably become the most dangerous duo in the entire state.

Rising before their senior season even begins, Sanders and Bowman have the chance to continue to rise up the boards. Denton Ryan is one of the best high school programs in all of Texas and is expected to make another run at a state title this season.

Reaching the state championship in 2019, the Raiders’ duo fell short of that elusive 5A-DI state championship title last season. They will be ready to run it back in 2020, before taking their talent down to Austin and join up with Tom Herman.

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WATCH: 2021 Texas commit scores touchdown in Texas state championhip

2021 WR Texas commit Ja’Tavion Sanders made a spectacular catch in the 5A state championship game. Sanders has been committed since Sept. 8.

It is state championship weekend for high school teams in the state of Texas. With all the games taking place at AT&T Stadium, big-time players have the opportunity to show off their skills in one of the best football stadiums in the world.

That is exactly what 2021 wide receiver Texas commit Ja’Tavion Sanders did, making a spectacular catch in the 5A Division 1 state championship game. Playing for Denton Ryan, the Raiders faced off against the Shadow Creek Sharks. Down 13 late in the fourth quarter, Sanders caught a touchdown in the corner of the end zone to cut the Shark lead to six.

Shadow Creek went on to win the game 28-22, but Sanders still had a huge season for Denton Ryan. Considered a two-way player, he also played on the defensive line this season. Listed at 6 feet 3.5 inches and weighing in at 220 pounds, Sanders has been committed to Texas since Sept. 8.

After a successful 2020 class, all eyes are turned to the 2021 class. Currently ranked third in the country, only trailing Notre Dame and Ohio State.

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