More verbal offers come for Shugarts

Those that are wondering who the top sophomore in the state of Texas is may not have to look farther than Klein, Texas offensive tackle J.B. Shugarts. The Houston-area school has had several coaches come down to take a look at the film of the 6-foot-7, 290-pounder and verbal offers have followed.

The early offer from Texas A&M this past week proved why Shugarts is quickly becoming an urban legend around college recruiting circles. He attended the Texas A&M's junior day as a sophomore and received his verbal offer from Dennis Franchione himself. If that wasn't enough, two other big programs made their intentions known

Shugarts' highlight tape has circulated around the country making it's way to Michigan and Miami, who have followed suit with a verbal offer.

"This is all happening so fast," Shugarts said. "I can't believe it. I talked with the Miami coaches and they verbally offered me. They said I'm the first sophomore ever offered at Miami. It's the same at Michigan."

"I'm supposed to talk with the Florida coaches pretty in the next couple of days."

The beauty of video tape has proved this urban legend to be true. Shugarts' age makes coaches wonder just how big he can actually get, but also just how easily he's able to move around. That growth potential and talent has the verbal offers flying in.

"Coaches call me after they see the tape and can't believe it," Shugarts said. "All I see are some mistakes. I know I can get better. What they like to see is my flexibility. I guess I'm flexible."

His flexibility could come from the fact that he has started on the varsity basketball team since his freshman season at Klein.

Yes, that is also a first.

"Well he's a big kid and a big specimen," Klein coach Stay Labay said about Shugarts. "I know these colleges are looking at young men who fit the profile and he certainly does already."

His coach also says that he's never had someone quite like this getting this kind of attention as a sophomore.

"I haven't had any that have been recruited as a sophomore, but then again I haven't had a guy as big as him as a sophomore," Labay said. "We had one young man head to Michigan and Chris Stewart last year headed to Notre Dame, but both guys didn't get recruited until they were juniors."

"He grew fast and because of that, he's been seen by a lot of people."

Shugarts was selected as an all-district offensive tackle as a sophomore.