A junior college safety and a defensive end/outside linebacker from Louisiana will be among the players UNT hosts on official recruiting visits this weekend.
Claude George of Acadiana High in Lafayette, La., and Demetrius Woodard, a free safety from Blinn College, both confirmed late this week that they will be in Denton beginning Friday.
UNT is recruiting Woodard as a free safety. He is being recruited by safeties coach Noah Joseph. Woodard has already visited Marshall and has scheduled visits to Texas State and New Mexico.
Woodard would compete with Marcus Trice, a junior who started throughout last season, for a starting job if he signs with UNT.
“I want to find a place I can feel at home, get exposure and start,” Woodard said. “I am going to take all my visits before I decide.”
Woodard’s last visit is scheduled for New Mexico beginning Dec. 14.
He was a first-team All-SWJCAC selection last season.
“He’s a good player,” Blinn defensive backs coach Thomas Rocco said. “He played on the roof in a 4-2-5. He can play in the box, but he can also play in man coverage.
“North Texas had very little contact with him and then they called and set up a visit really quickly. It took us by surprise.”
Woodard will transfer to an FBS school at the mid-term break in December.
George (6-2, 217) was a second-team all-state defensive end last season in Louisiana and was the MVP of District 3-5A. Southern, Louisiana-Monroe, UNT and McNeese State have all offered George, who has also been told by the coaches at Louisiana-Lafayette that they plan to offer him.
UTSA is also showing interest.
“I liked that they are moving to Conference USA and will be playing bigger schools,” George said. “The chance to play some of those teams is pretty attractive. They are recruiting me as a defensive end, but said that I could stand up some times.”
George will also visit ULM and does not plan to decide on where to commit until after taking all of his visits. This weekend will be the first time he has been to UNT.
“He was a big time playmaker defensively,” Acadiana coach Ted Davidson said. “He had nine sacks and 23 tackles for loss this season. He plays well with his hand down and can stand up. He’s a speed rusher. There is a lot of interest in him, especially at the Sun Belt and Conference USA level. UTSA is pushing a lot. He’s a steal at that level.”
George will visit ULM in January.
“This is my first college visit,” George said. “I’m excited.”
Davidson said that UNT’s staff and cornerbacks coach Justin Gaines, who is recruiting George, have made an impression on George.
“He likes North Texas, which is pretty high on his list,” Davidson said. “They have shown a lot of interest and he has bought into what they are telling him.”