Liucci 44: Ranking the state's top high school prospects
After watching the class of 2020 play their senior seasons, Billy Liucci updates his Liucci 44 on the eve of early signing day. He also ranks the top 25 for the class of 2021 and reveals his top 5 by position in the class of 2020.
Around Texas: A round-up of recruiting news in the Lone Star State
Around the state of Texas, decisions are being made, visits are being taken, and offers are being extended as the regular season has now kicked off. It is time to take a look at the latest happenings on the Lone Star state recruiting front.
Extensive notes and thoughts from UA Houston camp
- Demond Demas made a case yesterday to be the state's best player. He's the most athletic kid I've ever covered, and he's only growing stronger in his commitment to A&M. He has started calling College Station "home" and is advocating A&M for top prospects as much as anyone right now. - North Shore RB Zach Evans participated in some drills. With his invitation to the Under Armour All American game already secured, there was little reason for him to go through all the paces. In terms of his recruitment, he continues to say the right things about A&M being in it, and it doesn't sound like the Aggies are ready to throw in the towel. Like most, I'm intrigued to see when he makes his next visit to Aggieland. - Keep an eye on 2022 RB Rodney Smith out of Spring Westfield. Very physical for a young kid with solid track times.- Clear Creek OL Chad Lindberg did say hiring Josh Henson would put A&M back in the mix though it still sounds like Texas and Stanford are out front. Last fall, Lindberg told me he didn't feel like a priority for A&M after a visit, and I heard yesterday that visit had left a bad taste in the mouth of some folks near Chad regarding A&M. Henson will have it all to do to land Lindberg, but Chad did say there are a ton of A&M people around him in League City.- As I posted yesterday, OL commit Akinola Ogunbiyi did not even want to give quotes to Texas reporters following his visit to Austin on Saturday. He told them, "I just came for fun. I'd prefer not to do interviews." For being in a run heavy offense at Ft Bend Kempner, Aki looked strong yesterday in his pass sets and one on ones. He's been working hard with Rischad Whitfield and Brandon Jordan to improve his footwork and pass blocking game this offseason, and the early results showed on Sunday. Solid day for the future Aggie.- 2021 Richmond Foster OL Reuben Fatheree looked like he was in fantastic shape. He's a big time basketball player, too, so that may have gotten him trimmed down a bit. He also had a great day and did nothing but solidify his top spot in 2021 for me. He's a kid that Josh Henson will see pretty soon.- I got a good A&M vibe off the 2021 Katy Taylor duo of Bryce Foster and Hayden Conner. Foster didn't participate due to a pulled muscle, but he did say he plans on doing track and football in college. He's one of the best shot throwers in his age group in the world. Conner, like Fatheree, looks to be in top physical shape and had himself a nice day, as well. He wants to major in aeronautical or mechanical engineering and will be participating in a program with NASA this summer. - Keep an eye on 2022 OL Kameron Dewberry from Atascocita. He could be the next Kenyon Green. - At QB, I really liked what I saw from Dematrius Davis in 2021. He's a little shorter than some of the other top guys in his class, but the kid can sling the rock. He's got a compact delivery and has a good feel for timing and ball placement. Other QB's I liked were Tomball's Hunter Dunn, 2021 Shadow Creek QB Kyron Drones, Pearland QB JD Head, and Ft Bend Travis QB Eric Rodriguez. - I talked to a few of the coaches working with the TE's and WR's yesterday, and two of them told me that Crockett ATH Allen Horace had turned a lot of heads in terms of his frame and athleticism. One coach said, "That kid from east Texas can flat out move." Horace has gone from a gangly looking football/basketball tweener last summer to a D1 TE prospect in 6 months. Joe Jon Finley went by the school recently. I'd bet Horace's name starts popping up more and more for A&M in terms of in state TE options. - Ft Bend Austin WR Troy Omeire is undoubtedly a top 5 player in this class. If it wasn't for Demas, he'd be the unquestioned best WR prospect in the state. He checks every single box, and he had a great day yesterday. The Aggies and Longhorns are fighting for position with Troy, but he's told me he's very comfortable with the atmosphere in College Station and understands the vision of Jimbo Fisher and Dameyune Craig. Other schools are using Demas as a deterrent for Omeire. - Anybody thinking the Devin Price offer was a showcase of charity or goodwill is dead wrong. TP's son showed he belonged with the best in the state yesterday. https://twitter.com/coach_tprice/status/1097299827778600961?s=21- Defensively, I really liked what I saw out of new offer Princely Umanmielen (Ew-mahn-me-ell-en). At 6-4, 260, he's going to be one of those versatile guys like Mike Elko likes on his defensive front. A&M is recruiting him at end, and I could certainly see him in the mold of Kingsley Keke. He's a powerful kid like Kingsley was coming out of his school. He plays with good knee bend and is explosive at the point of attack. I should have some more quotes from him soon about his offer. - It was my first time to see Bastrop Cedar Creek DE Alfred Collins, and let me tell you something, this kid is absolutely the real deal. He was the most fluid, explosive athlete in a good DL group during drill work. The Aggies have made some in roads here, as well. Yes, Mom is a Longhorn, but the relationship with Terry Price and the effort A&M is putting in on this one is keeping the Aggies very much in the hunt. This kid's ceiling is as high as any defender in the state in 2020.- 2021 Katy Tompkins DE Tunmise Adeleye just came off a visit to Austin on Saturday before competing Sunday. The shine of the Texas visit was still on, but he did give me some great quotes about his junior day trip to College Station. He said the thing that stood out most was the time he got to spend breaking down film with Terry Price. It was the first time he'd gotten to do it, and it opened his eyes to how much knowledge TP has about the position. He then went on about how influential Price had been so far in his recruitment. I'll have an interview with him up soon.- Stafford's Rob Wooten worked out at defensive end yesterday. That's where he plays in high school, but I think he could be an outstanding two-point OLB, edge rusher. He had the best get off and first step of anyone there yesterday from what I saw. Peveto and Elko are keeping a close eye on him, too. They'll be down in Stafford to see Wooten in spring ball. - Another kid that told me A&M was planning to see him this spring was Richmond Foster DT Chidozie Nwankwo. He's a little on the shorter side, but he's very strong and plays with great leverage. He visited for the Super Bowl junior day and told me he enjoyed the time he got to spend with the staff and players. He also said he really enjoyed the food. In a thin year for in state DT's, Nwankwo probably has the best tape.- Not too much to report at LB, but I did like what I saw from Ft Bend Bush's Kenneth Phillips. He's got a lot of Tarian Lee to his game. If the kid were two inches taller, he'd check off the measurables all the college coaches are looking for, and he'd probably have his choice of school.- One kid I think will have his choice of schools is 2021 New Caney LB Derrick Harris Jr. Great frame with broad, angular shoulders and long arms. He plays with good body lean and is explosive in drill work. He's still a bit raw, but I think he'll explode with offers once coaches get back on the road this spring. He has had a lot of recruiting insiders talking early in this camp season.- A&M CB pledge Jaylon Jones had a fantastic day. He really cemented himself as the top dog in a rapidly improving cornerback class in state. He and Demas went at it a few times with Demond beating him over the top in the rep I saw. Regardless, it's easy to see the attributes that made him so attractive for Mike Elko and Mo Linguist. He's physical at the line of scrimmage. He's fluid in his transitions and breaks, and he's got plus ball skills in a 6-2 frame. Like Demas, he's been hard on the trail for the Aggies. - Aldine MacArthur CB Josh Eaton has been exploding with offers recently. He said A&M has been staying in touch and will come by the school soon to see him workout. He loved his most recent visit to College Station and covets an offer from Jimbo and company. Texas offered over the weekend at their junior day. Eaton plays for Fast Houston. - Another Fast Houston product and A&M target is Xavion Alford out of Shadow Creek. Alford said he talks to Leon O'Neal a lot about the atmosphere and day to day life at Texas A&M. He also said he spoke with Jimbo Fisher this week and that the Aggie staff does a great job of checking in with him and asking questions about things other than football. I'll have a full interview with Alford up soon.
Super Bowl Sunday visitor list
Here it is. Jason and I are still working on confirmations, but this is our early list. We will keep this thread pinned for additions and subtractions. Class of 2020Ft Bend Kempner OL Akinola Ogunbiyi Ft Bend Hightower OL Smart Chibuzo The Woodlands College Park OL Josh Bankhead Navasota OL Jordan Jefferson Tomball WR Demond Demas Ft Bend Marshall QB Malik Hornsby Ft Bend Marshall ATH Devon Achane Stafford OLB Rob Wooten Ft Bend Austin WR Troy Omeire Newton DE James Sylvester Cibolo Steele CB Jaylon Jones North Shore RB Zach Evans North Shore OL Damieon George North Shore LB Corey Flagg North Shore CB Joseph Wilson Trinity Christian CB Dwight McGlothern Shadow Creek S Xavion Alford Mansfield Timberview CB Jalen Kimber Dallas Carter DT Branard Wright Lancaster CB Lorando Johnson Little Elm CB Ryan Watts Cedar Hill ATH Quin Bright Weatherford QB Ken Seals West Mesquite RB Ty Jordan Bastrop Cedar Creek DE Alfred Collins Arlington ATH Jahari Rogers Duncanville ATH Ja'Quinden Jackson Lewisville Hebron S Darius Snow Southlake Carroll DB RJ Mickens Denton Ryan ATH Drew Sanders (OU)Cedar Hill OL Courtland Ford (LSU)A&M Consolidated WR Devin Price Muscle Shoals (AL) LB Jackson Bratton (Alabama)Baton Rouge (LA) DT Jaquelin Roy (LSU)Baton Rouge (LA) ATH Major Burns CyCreek LB Josh White Class of 2021Ft Bend Willowridge WR Latrell Neville Bellaire Episcopal OL Donovan Jackson Richmond Foster OL Reuben Fatheree Ft Bend Ridge Point WR John Paul Richardson Katy Tompkins DE Tunmise Adeleye Katy Tompkins QB Jalen Milroe Dallas Kimball CB Ishmael Ibraheem Mesquite Horn LB Kendrick Blackshire North Shore QB Dematrius Davis North Shore ATH Shadrach Banks Denton Ryan ATH Ja'tavion Sanders Cedar Hill QB Kaidon Salter Cedar Hill WR Jaedon Wilson Lancaster WR Ketron Jackson South Grand Prairie ATH Deamikkio Nathan Virginia Beach (VA) CB Tony Grimes Class of 2022Lewisville WR Armani Winfield South Grand Prairie WR Savion Red Desoto RB Chris Henley
Tuesday afternoon recruiting updates
-I'm still not ready to go all in on the Javonne Shepherd to A&M movement. Georgia is making a strong push. Bulldog OL Sam Pittman was in Houston last week to meet with Shepherd as was Jeff Banks either Alabama. I heard Pittman really impressed Shep and those around him. It'll be noteworthy if Javonne finds his way to Athens at some point. While I don't believe he'd go that far away from his support system, it did surprise me how highly thought of Pittman had become to Javonne and others. The Texas visit was still scheduled at last check, as well. -The Aggies are expecting Daphne (AL) CB Christian Williams to visit this weekend, but it's not set in stone just yet according to one of my sources. We've been reporting that this was being worked on, and it sounds like this weekend may be the Ags best shot to get him to town. I've also been told that Devonta Lee remains in talks with the A&M staff to reschedule his previously missed visit. Nothing substantial to report in terms of a trip to College Station yet though, and it sounds like the homestate Tigers are doing what they do.-The Aggie coaches are back on the road. We told you last night about Darrell Dickey heading to California, but we've also heard Coach Fisher is out on the west coast as well. He'll see Aggie legacy Sam Adams as well as 2021 Washington QB commit Sam Huard in the Pacific Northwest. More locally, Terry Price was in Bastrop today to see 2020 DE target Alfred Collins. A source out there also told me TP will return to see Collins play basketball tonight. Mike Elko is in DFW to see the usual cast of characters on the Aggie defensive big board in the Metroplex. -I've heard some 2020 in state linebacker names to really keep an eye on for A&M are Denton Ryan's Drew Sanders (OU commit), Stafford's Rob Wooten, CyCreek's Josh White, and even Ft Bend Hightower's Christian Hood. In terms of upcoming offers, I'd watch for Wooten and White. -I'm working on an update on Dyersburg (TN) LB Chris Russell and will make another thread once I hear back from some folks in Tennessee. I'll also have a few quotes from OL signee Layden Robinson on the heels of his official visit last weekend.