Posted April 21st, 2008 by Brian
Filed under: Football, Recruiting

It’s still a year away, but already five 2009 Texas commitments have received the honor of being named to the Under Armour All-America Game roster. The Longhorns currently lead the way with players in the game, with quarterback Garrett Gilbert. tight end Barrett Matthews, and offensive linemen Thomas Ashcraft, Paden Kelley, and Mason Walters on the roster. The 2008 Under Armour game featured five Longhorns as well.

The list of players is impressive but still not 100% complete, I’m sure there will be some additions and subtractions between now and January 4, 2009. Maybe a few more Texas commits can earn their way onto the team, or maybe the coaching staff can convince Florida stud running back Trent Richardson to come play for the good guys.

Here are the Scouts, Inc. profiles on the five Texas players:

Garrett Gilbert

Garrett GilbertQuarterback
Lake Travis (Texas)
6-3, 186 pounds

Junior accolades: Set Texas records with 359 completions, 555 attempts and 4,826 passing yards. Also threw for 52 touchdowns and named First Team All-State by The Associated Press.

On goals for his senior season: “Hopefully to win another state championship.”

Favorite movie: “Wedding Crashers.”

Scouts Inc. says: The more you watch Gilbert, the more you realize how heady and savvy he is. He is similar to Aaron Corp from the 2007 class in terms of size and athleticism, only Gilbert is much further along at this stage and has a bigger arm. He has prototypical drop-back passer size but is a sneaky athlete who will surprise you and hurt you with his feet if you don’t respect that aspect of his game.

Barrett Matthews

Barrett MatthewsTight End
North Shore (Texas)
6-2, 225 pounds

Junior accolades: Caught 13 passes for 395 yards and seven touchdowns. Named to 22-5A First Team All-District and Houston Chronicle Second Team All-Area.

On why he chose Texas: “The coaching staff reminds me of our coaching staff [at North Shore] and Coach [Mack] Brown reminds me a little bit of Coach [David] Aymond. The facilities are amazing and I get to work with one of the best [strength] trainers in the nation.”

Favorite movie: “‘Any Given Sunday.’ I love the ‘piece with inches’ speech by Al Pacino’s character.”

Scouts Inc. says: An exciting prospect with the tools to be well-rounded at the college level. He’s a sound, tenacious blocker while also a weapon as a receiver. Has the ability to stay on the field in all situations and be a factor, making him a player to watch.

Thomas Ashcraft

Thomas AshcraftOffensive Lineman
Cedar Hill (Texas)
6-5, 280 pounds

Junior accolades: First Team All-District, Honorable Mention All-State.

On why he chose Texas: “I felt at home at Texas. The coaches were real, they didn’t feel fake like they were putting on a show or it was rehearsed — they were real comfortable and natural. My parents liked it and my major [mechanical engineering] is a top major there.”

Favorite TV show: “The Boondocks.”

Scouts Inc. says: A gifted lineman with the size college coaches seek. He has shown the foot agility to both pull and trap from the offensive tackle position and also get back from a three-point stance and set before a defensive lineman gets into his frame. Ashcraft has the tools to develop into one of college football’s best, most athletic offensive linemen.

Paden Kelley

Paden KelleyOffensive Lineman
Lake Travis (Texas)
6-6, 270 pounds

Junior accolades: Named to Texas 4A first team by Texas Sportswriters Association. Also named to First Team All-District.

On goals for his senior season: “I have hopes of leading my team to a back-to-back state championship and being awarded First Team All-State.”

Favorite band: Rage Against the Machine.

Scouts Inc. says: Kelley’s a very athletic offensive tackle with the versatility to also play guard. Tall and rangy, he looks the part, carrying his weight extremely well. Biggest strength may be his reach-blocking skills.

Mason Walters

Mason WaltersOffensive Lineman
Frenship (Texas)
6-7, 285 pounds

Junior accolades: Named All-District, All-Area, All-South Plains, All-City and 4A Second Team All-State.

On what he’s looking for in a school: “Coaches you get along with for five years, a winning tradition and a bunch of good talent that is going to be there when you are there to give yourself a chance to win the national championship.”

Favorite food: Buffalo wings with ranch sauce.

Scouts Inc. says: A max-effort player with exceptional ability, he’s a self-starter who clearly loves the game. He goes after opponents like a heat-seeking missile. Comes off the ball aggressively and has the skills to reach, block back and even get to the second level with little trouble. Shows outstanding hustle by frequently getting a second block after executing his initial assignment.

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5 Comments

  1. reply to  #1

    Hook'em Horns

    I like this set of offensive lineman. Two of them won state titles along with our quaterback. I am not sure about Thomas Ashcraft, but he looks and sounds like a beast.

  2. reply to  #2

    Brian

    The one lineman commit (Garrett Porter out of Odessa) not on the Under Armour team might be the best of the bunch too. Kid is a stud. I’m sure he’ll be in the US Army game.

  3. reply to  #3

    Hook'em Horns

    Yea I think he is actually one of the ones that won a state title. Anyways I saw a clip of Paden Kelly and was blown away at his aggressiveness. In pictures he doesnt necesarrily look like a football player, but he is outstanding. I have yet to watch Garrett Porter, but I know he has won a state title which is a big deal. This class of O-line will definitely know how to win the big game when it counts for sure.

    I think Chris Whaley is underrated. He is going to be like an Adrian Peterson in my opnion. He has the size he just needs to get a little bit faster. I like him being a solid commit and he takes the whole darrel scott burden off of my shoulders.

  4. reply to  #4

    Brian

    Whaley’s video is impressive. I don’t think his speed is an issue now, but with his frame he may keep getting heavier and end up a heck of a defensive end. Who knows, Brandon Jacobs for the NY Giants is a load so maybe Whaley can still be a RB even at 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds.

  5. reply to  #5

    Lake Travis Boat Rental

    AS Garrett Porter’s, Wedding Crashers is also my favourite Movie. The movie is really very nice.he is a good player and he have healthy arms which are very important for this game.

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