The McNabb Report: Wylie QB Commits, SGP's Peace Back on Market

Note: David McNabb writes on area high school sports every Wednesday on VYPE.com: By David McNabb Wylie's Monk Commits to Baylor Baylor coach Art Briles is putting together a strong finish for the Bears' 2009 recruiting. Briles got another big part of it Monday night when he walked out of the home of Wylie's Jerod Monk with another commitment. Monk (6-5, 220) led Wylie to the Class 5A Division I state final as a quarterback, but Briles projects Monk as a hybrid tight end/slot receiver, who may eventually figure into some of Briles' famous gadget plays as a passer sometime in the future. Because of Wylie's success lasting until the final Saturday before Christmas, Monk's recruiting had been delayed. There were several colleges interested, but Monk had narrowed his choices to TCU and Baylor for a good while. Monk visited TCU this past weekend and, when the Frogs couldn't get a commitment, Monk's stronger lure toward Baylor pointed toward Briles' home visit with little more than a week remaining before the national signing day Feb. 4. Monk had taken his official visit down to Baylor several weeks ago but did want to wait until at least visiting TCU before committing. Monk hosted Briles and assistant coaches Philip Montgomery and Chris Achuff on Monday night. Monk had already developed a strong relationship with the two assistant coaches, and he said he felt comfortable with Briles. "He's real fun to be around." Monk said. "I don't think you can ask for a better head coach than Coach Briles." The versatile and athletic Monk could contribute to Baylor as a true freshman last season. Briles isn't shy about testing his talent. Baylor started true freshman sensation Robert Griffin at quarterback last season. Monk plays basketball for Wylie and has thrown the shot put and discus as well. Monk's athleticism and productivity is a trademark of Briles' recruiting which helped rejuvenate Houston before he left for Baylor and the Big 12. Briles also has gotten recent commitments from China Spring's multi-talented Mike Hicks, who can play receiver, defensive back and return kicks. The Bears also have picked up a highly regarded receiver in Houston Lamar's Josh Gordon. Auburn's Texas Ties Making Impact Sulphur Springs quarterback Tyrik Rollison was recruited to Auburn by assistant Curtis Luper, once a standout running back in Sherman. Luper had Rollison interested in Oklahoma State before Luper made a career move to Auburn with former Iowa State coach Gene Chizik. "Me and Coach Luper have a great relationship," Rollison said. "I've known him for a while. That kind of helped everything." Rollison (6-2, 195) started in the U.S. Army All-American game. He still must qualify academically. With Luper's Texas ties, Auburn also landed a commitment from standout Mansfield Summit defensive end Nosa Eguae on Tuesday. Newly named Auburn assistant coach Trooper Taylor is a former Baylor and Cuero standout. He moved from Oklahoma State along with Luper. Taylor's connections has Auburn in with Austin High School standout receiver Jeff Blake, the son of former NFL quarterback Jeff Blake. Back On the Market South Grand Prairie wide receiver Dewayne Peace has dropped his commitment to Michigan but the Wolverines could still figure in his final decision. Peace is waiting to see if he'll receive an offer from Oklahoma this week which could send him to the Sooners. Arizona also remains in the picture. Linebacker Brandon Mahoney of Keller Fossil Ridge had been a longtime commit to Oklahoma but has re-opened his recruitment to visit Texas A&M last weekend and Texas Tech this weekend. He says he'll be choosing between Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma State. Centennial's Moore to Iowa State Frisco Centennial offensive lineman Aaron Moore (6-5, 255) is one Texas player who isn't going to end up at Auburn after originally committing to the Tigers. Moore committed to Iowa State this week more fallout from coaching changes. New Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads is Auburn's former defensive coordinator. "I've talked to Baylor, TCU, UAB, Washington, Troy...those are the main ones," said Moore. "But the more I talked to Iowa State, the more I went in their direction." Recent commits: Keller Fossil Ridge kicker Chris Boswell to Rice and Sulphur Springs defensive end Colton Nash to Arkansas...Bishop Lynch linebacker Richard Stevens and Plano West defensive back J.T. Thomas to Air Force...Naaman Forest offensive lineman J.V. Mason to New Mexico... Mansfield Summit lineman Chris Friesen committed to Utah State.