Buckskin86
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Texas newspaper
Posted on Wed, Jul. 07, 2004
Longhorns search far for top QB
By John Miller
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Even before he heard a word from the Texas coaching staff, the Longhorns appealed to California quarterback Mark Sanchez.
He liked the depth chart at Texas.
It's particularly appealing to him because the Longhorns failed to sign a quarterback in their past two recruiting classes.
The state produced arguably its best quarterback class ever last season, but the Longhorns came up empty. They want to sign two quarterbacks in February, but with few top prospects in the state, the Longhorns are searching beyond the Texas borders to bring in a top-tier quarterback.
"It's a down year for quarterbacks in Texas," said Jeremy Crabtree, director of the recruiting Web site Rivals100.com. "Last year, the state was so blessed to have all these incredible kids, and for one reason or another, Texas missed out on all of them. It's made it interesting for them in recruiting a quarterback this year, when it's definitely a priority for them."
Texas ended its quarterback drought in May when Jim Ned quarterback Colt McCoy committed to the Longhorns.
Though he's considered one of the best quarterbacks in the state, McCoy does not have the same recruiting credentials as the high school quarterbacks of last season, when Rhett Bomar of Grand Prairie (Oklahoma), Stephen McGee of Burnet (Texas A&M), Robbie Reid of Galena Park North Shore (Oklahoma State) and Kirby Freeman of Brownwood (Miami) were members of the Star-Telegram's National Top 100 recruiting list.
McCoy does not rank with the quarterbacks Texas has signed in the past under coach Mack Brown. Chris Simms, Vince Young and Chance Mock were ranked among the top five quarterbacks in the country when they signed with Texas.
Texas has not signed an out-of-state player in its past two recruiting classes. But to get a high-profile quarterback, the Longhorns have looked west to Sanchez, of Mission Viejo, Calif., and east to Ryan Perrilloux of Reserve, La., offering scholarships to both. Texas has also expressed interest in Laurinburg, N.C., quarterback Cameron Sexton, but has not offered him a scholarship.
"What we've tried to do since we got here was to put an emphasis on recruiting in the state," Brown said. "But, if in a certain year we can't find the right guys in Texas, and there's someone better out of state, that's when we go out of state."
Many schools started recruiting the 6-foot-2, 208-pound Perrilloux before Texas. Perrilloux said he was always interested in Texas, but did not hear from the Longhorns until the start of his junior season. That was shortly after Texas missed on its prized quarterback recruit, Bomar.
"The biggest thing I like about Texas is they have good people and good players and I feel comfortable there," Perrilloux said. "A big plus is the depth chart, and Vince Young is all they have. If I come in, I will have the chance to be the next Vince Young."
Last season, Perrilloux completed 119 of 209 pass attempts for 2,404 yards with 26 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also ran for 1,274 yards and 21 touchdowns on 136 carries.
Texas contacted Sanchez in the spring after the 6-foot-4, 200-pound passer sent tape to the Longhorns. Sanchez is being recruited by Texas assistant coach Dick Tomey and offensive coordinator Greg Davis. Tomey coached at Arizona, where he recruited heavily in California.
Sanchez, a drop-back passer, threw for 2,460 yards on 143-of-191 passing with 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Though it is considered a down year for quarterbacks nationally as well as in Texas, Rivals100.com ranks Sanchez and Perrilloux as the top two quarterbacks in the country.
"There's no question they are top-tier quarterbacks," Crabtree said. "They'd be near the top of any recruiting list any year."
Perrilloux and his family visited Texas in early June for a one-day football camp and were impressed. He has not narrowed his list of schools, but said Texas was near the top. He doesn't plan on making a decision until Feb. 2, the first day recruits sign binding letters of intent.
Sanchez lists Texas, Ohio State, Notre Dame and Southern California as his favorites and also is interested in Nebraska and Florida. He visited Ohio State and Notre Dame last week and hopes to take an unofficial visit to Texas at the end of the summer.
"The town of Austin -- I've heard nothing but great things about it," Sanchez said. "Texas always has a strong program, and they bring in the best players."
In order to sign either player, Texas will have to overcome the hurdle of recruiting against the in-state school -- Louisiana State for Perrilloux and USC for Sanchez.
While both said there is pressure to stay in state, they say it won't be a major factor in their decisions. It helps that both schools recently signed highly recruited quarterbacks.
"If I go to LSU, I can play early, but I really, really am going to have to work hard," Perrilloux said. "If I go to Texas, I'll come in with another freshman. It will still be tough and I'll have to work hard to compete for the job, but it's not as hard as trying to beat someone that has been in the system for two years."
Coast to coast
In a down year for quarterbacks in Texas, the Longhorns are looking out of state for help. A look at the top three out-of-state quarterbacks on the Texas recruiting radar:
Ryan Perrilloux
Reserve, La., 6-2, 208
The No. 1 dual-threat quarterback in the nation, according to Rivals100.com. It could come down to whether Perrilloux prefers the depth chart at Texas or the comforts of home at LSU.
Mark Sanchez
Mission Viejo, Calif., 6-4, 200
The No. 1 pro-style quarterback, according to Rivals100.com. In addition to home-state school Southern California, Texas must also compete with programs such as Ohio State and Notre Dame.
Cameron Sexton
Laurinburg, N.C., 6-1, 185
Considered a notch below Perrilloux and Sanchez, so even if those two go elsewhere, Texas might opt for an in-state prospect such as Carroll's Chase Daniel.
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