Notes from the ETSN.fm/APEC East Texas Combine
The ETSN.fm/APEC East Texas Combine is one of my favorite events of the year and this year did not disappoint.When it comes to A&M recruiting two names jump to the front of the list. One is Nacodoches 2020 OL Riley Birdwell. The other is Diboll 2020 ATH Herbert Gums. Birdwell checked in at 6-4, 340 pounds. He visited Texas A&M last weekend and is on the Aggie's radar. He grew up a fan of the Aggies because of the culture, and he plans to attend camp this summer. He keeps in touch with offensive line coach Jim Turner on a regular basis and he is also hearing from Louisiana Tech, SMU, and Baylor. Birdwell is known for his strength. He boasts a deadlift of 580, a squat of 655, and a bench of 325. He is a powerlifter in the offseason and his heavy hands were easy to spot in one-on-one drills. I would like to see him keep those hands inside with more consistency, but his feet were more impressive than I anticipated. He has yet to receive his first offer.https://twitter.com/Jason_Howell/status/998309307937673217Gums checked in at 6-2, 240 pounds and he will remind people of Vernon Jackson with his build and position projections. He worked at RB today, but he is being recruited on both offense and defense. He's a guy I could see as a FB/H-back type and Texas A&M is a program he says is showing heavy interest. Look for him to attend camp this summer. He holds offers from Houston (RB), SFA (LB), and Tulsa. LSU is a childhood favorite. -Another Texas A&M note, West Rusk standout and Texas A&M signee Tyree Wilson was in Tyler watching the action today. He turned 18 today and checks in at 6-6, 235. He reports to College Station next week.https://twitter.com/Jason_Howell/status/998309316678639617A few guys who caught my attention-OL Devon King, Gilmer (2020) - The 6-3, 300-pound offensive lineman projects to OG, but he will also work on the defensive side of the ball and could emerge as a DT prospect. He has a build reminiscent of Marshall OL Chasen Hines. He's a barrel chested prospect with a powerful base. There were times he stopped moving his feet but he consistently stopped defenders dead in their tracks with great hand position. He is the son of former Daingerfield standout and Kansas State LB David King and he is related to Kendall Hunter and Keontae Burns. He is a high academic kid and he wants to be a physical therapist. He already bench presses 400 pounds and he holds an offer from Texas State. SMU, Texas, and a few others are showing early interest. Look for his stock to rise.https://twitter.com/Jason_Howell/status/998309009340993536-DE/TE Allen Horace, Crockett (2020) - Baylor and Oklahoma State have already offered the 6-5, 225-pound prospect. Both have also offered at different positions. Baylor offered at DE, while Oklahoma State offered at TE. He is also a standout on the basketball court. He did not mention Texas A&M but he is hearing from Houston, Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma about camps. He worked at DE during the camp and his length jumps out immediately. He clocked around a 4.8 40 and had a vertical over 30-inches. He's a guy I could see popping up on radars with a strong summer camp season.-RB/ATH TK Hamilton, Waskom (2019) - he took home RB MVP honors and may have been the fastest prospect there with a 4.47 electronic 40. He has the look of a slot WR or a CB right now and there is no doubt he brings some twitch to the table. He checks in at 6-foot, 160-pounds.-S Jerrin Thompson, Lufkin (2020) - Thompson is a rangy S with several offers on the table. Today he just missed DB MVP honors. He currently plans to camp at A&M this summer as well as Houston and Texas Tech.-WR TQ Jackson, Jefferson (2019) - Jackson was the highest ranked and most highly recruited prospect at the event today and he took home overall offensive MVP honors. -QB Jake Smith, Nacogdoches (2020) - Smith was a pleasant surprise. He spun the ball very well and threw with accuracy. He also checked in around 6-3 with a solid build. Look out for this guy, he'll attract some FBS attention his way. https://twitter.com/Jason_Howell/status/998308630549159936