Around Texas: A round-up of recruiting news in the Lone Star State
Recruiting never stops around the Lone Star State, and it is again time to take a look at the latest news and notes from the Texas recruiting trails.
Big Gets
Tre Williams picks Stanford
Jackson Gilkey to UTSA
Headlines
Back on the market – Cy Ranch defensive end Ashton Porter decommitted from Northwestern on Sunday. He originally chose the Wildcats in June but decided to re-open his recruiting process following an official visit to Michigan State. Seminole OL Rikter Connally decommitted from SMU on Friday, and Leander Rouse QB Mason Shorb decommitted from UTSA.
Big Game Weekend – Recruits are always on the road this time of year, and Waco, Dallas, Lubbock and Fort Worth will be the likely destinations for many. The Baylor Bears host Kansas, Texas Tech has West Virginia coming to town, Kansas State visits TCU, and Cincinnati travels to SMU.
Offers roll in – A couple of standout 2023s added some big Power 5 offers recently. Arlington Martin 2023 ATH Ismael Smith-Flores received his first scholarship offers by way of the Big Ten, with Iowa and Michigan State doing the honors. Before 2022, Smith-Flores (6-foot-6, 210 pounds) focused on basketball, but he has been a big target in the Martin offense this fall. His father Leroy Smith, was an All-American defensive end at Iowa. McKinney North WR Korbin Hendrix added an offer from Minnesota. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound receiver is averaging over 19 yards per catch and is McKinney North’s leading receiver. He also holds offers from Arizona State, New Mexico State, Houston Christian, SFA and Texas A&M-Commerce. Waco Connally ATH and Oklahoma State commit Jelani McDonald added offers from Texas and Ole Miss. In the 2024 class, San Antonio Veterans Memorial RB James Peoples has received offers from Ohio State, Miami and Baylor in recent weeks, and Humble Atascocita CB Braylon Conley has added offers from Louisville, TCU, Utah, Houston and Texas. South Grand Prairie RB and Colorado commit AJ Newberry has been hot lately, adding offers from Cal, Tulsa and Vanderbilt. Rushing for 1,165 yards and 14 TDs on 149 carries, he is off to a great senior season and is one of the leading rushers in the Lone Star state.
New Name to Know
DB Trae Williams, Denton Ryan – 2025
A sophomore, Williams is in his second varsity season, and he is quickly making a name for himself as a ballhawk on the back end of the Denton Ryan defense. At 5-foot-11, 165 pounds, his quick change of direction, burst out of his breaks and 32-inch vertical allow him to cover ground in a hurry, and in 2022, he already has five PBUs and two INTs while playing safety and cornerback.
In addition to his measurements and overall athleticism, he is a student of the game. The son of a coach, he describes his style of play as observant, and he takes pride in grinding in the film room as well as on the field. Saints defender and two-time All-Pro Chris Harris, Jr. is someone he sees as a role model, and he is the younger brother of former Melissa standout and current SFA RB JaBray Young.
It is still early on the recruiting front. Not only is he young, but he also did not get to attend college camps last summer due to an injury. He has yet to receive a scholarship offer, but Baylor has shown some early interest.
Football is not his only sport. Williams was also a member of the varsity basketball team and varsity track team. He competed in the 4x400m and the 400m on the track.
What’s up with the top
Top 5 LBs
1. Anthony Hill, Denton Ryan – Texas A&M
2. Derion Gullette, Teague – Texas
3. Daymion Sanford, Katy Paetow – Texas A&M
4. Smaje Burrell, North Crowley – Texas
5. Braylan Shelby, Friendswood - USC
Top 5 DBs
1. Javien Toviano, Arlington Martin
2. Peyton Bowen, Denton Guyer – Notre Dame
3. Jayvon Thomas, Dallas South Oak Cliff – Texas A&M
4. Malik Muhammad, Dallas South Oak Cliff – Texas
5. Calvin Simpson-Hunt, Waxahachie – Ohio State
Top 5 ATHs
1. Bravion Rogers, La Grange – Texas A&M
2. Dalton Brooks, Shiner – Texas A&M
3. Samuel Omosigho, Crandall – Oklahoma
4. Jakoby Banks, Fort Bend Marshall – Houston
5. Tyrone West, Humble – Texas Tech