North Texas, McCarney get fill of fresh talent

By John Henry

Special to the Star-Telegram

North Texas coach Dan McCarney said the story of North Texas' recruiting class of 2013 isn't told in the losses of two recruits to TCU and Texas Tech on the eve of National Signing Day.

Even after losing Jermaine Antoine, recruited as an athlete, and linebacker Kahlee Woods, the Mean Green's quest to become, as McCarney said, a story in college football is in the 23 players signed on to be a part of the program in Denton, all of whom will create unprecedented depth in the coach's three seasons.

For the first time under McCarney, come August, North Texas will be at its full allotment of 85 scholarship players.

"It's about competition [at each position] and depth and more guys that can play," said McCarney on Wednesday afternoon. "I want to get more guys on the field. It's good to have people looking over their shoulder, [thinking] 'that cat might beat me out.'"

Unique to this class of 2013 are three transfers expected to make immediate contributions.

Quarterback Brock Berglund, a transfer from Kansas, has been on campus all school year and worked with the scout team last season. When Berglund was a prep player, Rivals.com ranked him ahead of Notre Dame's Everett Golson among the nation's top dual-threat quarterbacks -- and one spot behind Johnny Manziel.

He'll enter 2013 as a sophomore to compete with incumbent senior starter Derek Thompson and Andrew McNulty.

Coaches are hopeful that Texas transfer Darius Terrell will provide a reliable target at wide receiver.

A third transfer is a familiar name at North Texas. Running back Reggie Pegram, a transfer from Purdue, is a cousin of Mean Green Hall of Famer Erric Pegram, a retired NFL player. Reggie Pegram is expected to move into the running back rotation with Brandin Byrd and Antoinne Jimmerson.

"Those guys should impact us the most," McCarney said. "They should have more maturity and experience. If they can't impact your team right away, I made some mistakes. I don't think I made mistakes."

North Texas begins its first season in Conference USA in the fall.

Looking for comments?