Mean Green

I just finished up writing my media days story and notebook for the DRC. While I was at it, I managed to pick up some recruiting news. Enjoy. And be sure to pick up a copy of the paper tomorrow.

The more Houston Cypress Ridge offensive lineman Keenan Flax saw of UNT, the more convinced he was that the school was the right place for him to continue his college career.

Flax (6-5, 270) said Monday that he has orally committed to play for the Mean Green after attending a camp at UNT over the weekend. Oral commitments are non-binding. The first day recruits in the Class of 2009 can sign a letter of intent is Feb. 4.

"I went up there on three separate visits and liked the campus and the coaching staff," Flax said. "That is how I made up my mind. They talk about academics and setting you up with an academic coach. They remind me of my high school coaches."

Flax was an All-District 17-5A selection last season and is a former teammate of incoming UNT freshman cornerback Royce Hill.

Flax, who is expected to play guard or tackle for UNT, said he also received scholarship offers from New Mexico State, Georgia Tech, Colorado State, Buffalo and Arkansas.
"The coaches told me by the time I get there, some spots will be open because of the number of seniors who are on the team," Flax said.

North Texas was picked to finish seventh in the eight-team Sun Belt Conference in the league's preseason coaches' poll. Florida Atlantic was a near unanimous pick to win the title, receiving seven of the eight first-place votes.

UNT had just two players selected to the All-Sun Belt Conference team, offensive lineman Kelvin Drake and wide receiver Casey Fitzgerald. FAU swept the preseason player of the year honors with quarterback Rusty Smith earning Offensive Player of the Year and linebacker Frantz Joseph Defensive Player of the Year.

The following is the full team and poll. Post your thoughts on the blog.

Sun Belt Conference Preseason Poll
School;Points
1.Florida Atlantic (6);62
2. Troy (1);51
3. Louisiana-Monroe (1);46
4. Arkansas State;39
5. Middle Tennessee;32
6. Louisiana-Lafayette;26
7. North Texas;19
8. Florida International;13

All Sun Belt Conference Team
The following is the All-Sun Belt Conference team selected by the league's head coaches and select media members who cover the conference on a regular basis.
Offense
QB - Rusty Smith, Florida Atlantic, Jr.
RB - Reggie Arnold, Arkansas State, Jr.
WR - Cortez Gent, Florida Atlantic, Jr.; Casey Fitzgerald, North Texas, Sr.
TE - David Johnson, Arkansas State, Sr.; Zeek Zacharie, Louisiana-Monroe, Sr.
OL - Matt Mandich, Arkansas State, Sr.; Nick Paris, Florida Atlantic, Sr.; Chris Fisher, Louisiana-Lafayette, Jr.; Kelvin Drake, North Texas, Jr.; Dion Small, Troy, Sr.
Defense
DL - Alex Carrington, Arkansas State, Jr.; Robert St. Clair, Florida Atlantic, Sr.; Jervonte Jackson, Florida Atlantic, Sr.; Kenny Mainor, Troy, Sr.
LB - Ben Owens, Arkansas State, Sr.; Frantz Joseph, Florida Atlantic, Sr.; Boris Lee, Troy, Jr
DB - Tavious Polo, Florida Atlantic, So.; Corey Small, Florida Atlantic, Sr.; Greg James, Louisiana-Monroe, Jr.; Alex Suber, Middle Tennessee, Sr.; Sherrod Martin, Troy, Sr.; Tavares Williams, Troy, Sr.
Special teams
P - Scott Love, Louisiana-Monroe, Jr.
PK - Drew Edmiston, Louisiana-Lafayette, Sr.
RS - Desmond Gee, Middle Tennesse, Jr.
Offensive Player of the Year - Rusty Smith, Florida Atlantic
Defensive Player of the Year - Frantz Joseph, Florida Atlantic