Per OB: Almost every recruit has dreams of playing in the NFL one day. Finding a school or a coach known for churning out professional-level talent is often imperative for prospects. Charlie Strong and Texas both earned some major points in that category over the weekend. Strong saw 10 of his former Louisville players, which he recruited and developed, selected in the 2015 NFL Draft while Texas had the most picks out of any school in the state with five. Needless to say, recruits were impressed. Here is their reaction to Strong and Texas’ success. DT Jordan Elliott, Houston Westside, “NFL player development plays a big role in my recruitment, and I know Charlie Strong is a great coach. I have high hopes for UT as a team.” WR Devin Duvernay, Sachse, “That’s big. It plays a lot into my recruitment because the NFL is where I want to be.” San Jose Valley wide receiver Collin Johnson can't wait to play for Charlie Strong, “Wherever I go, I’m not trying to be a good player. I’m trying to be developed into a great player and person, and Coach Strong is the guy that can do that.” ATH Christian Wallace, Sealy, "I noticed he's been getting guys in the NFL. He's a great coach, to be honest. He cares more about our character in other things than just football, and that helps." RB Lil’ Jordan Humphrey, Southlake Carroll, “It shows that he really helps his players develop on and off the field. It plays a big role for me considering it’s my dream to play in the NFL.” LB Demarco Boyd, Gilmer, “It just shows that the man knows what he’s doing, and that makes it look good on him while he’s here at Texas. I’m sure he’s about to do the same thing he did at Louisville. The show continues on.” TE Peyton Aucoin, Brother Martin (La.), “It definitely plays a big part in my recruiting because playing in the NFL is a dream of mine, and I know with Coach Strong, he could make it possible.” TE Donte Coleman, West Mesquite, “It was good to see. It plays a big role.” OL Denzel Okafor, Lewisville, “It just shows how he is changing the program around and what’s going to happen in a few years.” OL Tope Imade, Arlington Bowie, “It would be a good opportunity for me to play with a coach like that who I know can develop me into an NFL caliber player.” NFL development is a huge deal to (2017) Wylie East running back Eno Benjamin, “I think it’s a huge deal. He has proven that he can put players in the NFL, and that plays a huge role in my recruitment. That sticks out.” WR Jaylon Jackson, Cedar Hill (2017), “I was surprised, but it was good to see. It looks like the NFL values some of the things that are being taught by Coach Strong. The NFL teams must have a good relationship with him to pick that many players. It plays a big role in my recruitment because I want to go to the NFL.” QB Kellen Mond, SA Reagan (2017), “It’s a huge positive for a recruit to know that Coach Strong does such a great job developing college players to play in the NFL.” ATH J.K. Dobbins, La Grange (2017), “I think it’s good that he produced double digit NFL draft picks because it shows that he is developing his players. He’s straightening things out at Texas. I’d like to know that if I go there, I’d have a good chance of conquering my dreams.” QB Jaylon Mascorro, Refugio (2017), “Seeing that he is producing double digit NFL draft picks makes me even more interested in Texas. The more NFL players they develop, the more the school interests me. I want to be able to go to a college and do nothing but get better. It plays a huge role in my recruitment.”
