jreal26
Sophmore
Not to bring up race, but race plays a big part in why Oklahoma snatches up many of the most talented players in the state of Texas. UT was very slow to integrate its football team under Darryl Royal and it continued to feel the effect of this well into the 90's. Barry Switzer, more than anyone, recruited the African American Athlete very well in Texas, and he was well received in the African Amercian community. When I grew up most African Americans were pulling for the dirt burglars in the annual RRS.
During the Switzer era at OU, the University of Texas fell almost completely off the map of national prominence. I will never foget the total beatdown Miami handed UT one year. During this time A&M was able to become the most desirable program for blue chip athletes who wanted to remain in state. A&M always fielded a strong defense with great running backs but never had a semblance of a passing game. This is one reason why most great offensive prospects went out of state.
The three biggest reasons why Texas is back to national prominence are:
1. The creation of the Big 12
2. Mack Brown
3. James Brown/Ricky Williams
The creation of the Big 12 gave big time recruits the chance to play in a conference with powerhouses like Nebraska and Colorado.
Mack Brown, as we all know, is a smooth operator when it comes to recruiting (although he did not land Ricky Williams OOS recruit under Mackovick). He was able to repair alot of the burned bridges in Texas highschools.
When Texas beat Nebraska in the 96 Big 12 championship game it set the stage for many big time recruits to seriously consider Texas before shipping off to Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Ohio St, Penn St. and so on. Watching James Brown, have success on that big stage, and watching Ricky's Heisman run were instrumental in the annual recruiting wars with Oklahoma and other OOS powers.
I played with two big time recruits in highschool, Bertrand Berry and David Boston. UT had zero chance of landing one of these dudes. Joe Paterno and Lou Holtz made a visit to our school to recruit Bert. The whole school was amazed that a "big time" coach was actually at our school. Love him or hate him, Mack Brown has brought that big time feeling back to Texas football.
During the Switzer era at OU, the University of Texas fell almost completely off the map of national prominence. I will never foget the total beatdown Miami handed UT one year. During this time A&M was able to become the most desirable program for blue chip athletes who wanted to remain in state. A&M always fielded a strong defense with great running backs but never had a semblance of a passing game. This is one reason why most great offensive prospects went out of state.
The three biggest reasons why Texas is back to national prominence are:
1. The creation of the Big 12
2. Mack Brown
3. James Brown/Ricky Williams
The creation of the Big 12 gave big time recruits the chance to play in a conference with powerhouses like Nebraska and Colorado.
Mack Brown, as we all know, is a smooth operator when it comes to recruiting (although he did not land Ricky Williams OOS recruit under Mackovick). He was able to repair alot of the burned bridges in Texas highschools.
When Texas beat Nebraska in the 96 Big 12 championship game it set the stage for many big time recruits to seriously consider Texas before shipping off to Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Ohio St, Penn St. and so on. Watching James Brown, have success on that big stage, and watching Ricky's Heisman run were instrumental in the annual recruiting wars with Oklahoma and other OOS powers.
I played with two big time recruits in highschool, Bertrand Berry and David Boston. UT had zero chance of landing one of these dudes. Joe Paterno and Lou Holtz made a visit to our school to recruit Bert. The whole school was amazed that a "big time" coach was actually at our school. Love him or hate him, Mack Brown has brought that big time feeling back to Texas football.
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