Notes from the Dallas Next Level Athlete Camp
The Next Level Athlete Texas Top 100 Showcase made its way to Dallas on Sunday and here's a few notes and thoughts from the day.Texas A&M notes-Aledo 2024 LB Davhon Keys continues to impress. Sunday he showed up to work with the defensive backs and work on his one-on-one pass coverage. He did not disappoint. He was quick in his change of direction throughout the day, was comfortable deep in coverage, and made several strong plays on the ball.. I got to see Keys three times this fall and everytime i came away more impressed. He is always around the ball and in position to make a play. It's not always the flashiest, but he is a playmaker in the middle of the defense. Keys is still figuring out his Jr Day plans and he is considering a visit to Texas A&M for the Aggies Jan 28 Jr Day.-Lewisville 2025 OL Michael Fasusi is still very young in the game but it is easy to see what has college coaches hot on his trail. He had the fastest feet of any OL at the camp and at 6-5, 280, he still has plenty of room for growth on his frame. Long armed and athletic, he bends really well and you can see the power. I feel good predicting he will be one of the state's and nation's best.Fasusi's size, athleticism, and versatility quickly caught my attention at Lewisville this fall and after hearing he was a soccer player with on 3 years of football experience let's just say I had a feeling it was only a matter of time before he began to reel in the offers. He projects at OT and I think that's where he sticks. He came in as the heavy TE and played plenty of OT throughout the season.Texas A&M offered this week and Fasusi is intrigued. He'll visit A&M for the Jan 28th Jr Day.-Red Oak 2025 DE Kamauryn Morgan took home the overall camp MVP honors. He is a long, lean 6-4, 225, and a fluid athlete with quick twitch off the ball. His weight is deceptive, he hides his 225 well, and he has plenty of room for growth.I didn't get to see Morgan in person this fall, so i was pretty excited to see him yesterday. He did not disappoint.Texas A&M offered this week and he will visit this coming weekend (Jan 21) for Jr Day. -Mansfield Legacy 2024 S Landyn Cleveland did not work out because he was resting an injur he suffered in track practice but he was out and hanging around. He passes the eyeball test at a solid 6-foot, 185, and he is on Texas A&M's radar. The Aggies have yet to offer and have some ground to make up. He announced a top 10 of Texas Tech, Texas, Baylor, Arizona St, TCU, Auburn, Colorado, Arkansas, Washington, and SMU, but the Aggies have been in communication and yesterday he said he plans to attend A&M's Jan 28th Jr Day.Some guys who caught my attention-Lancaster 2024 OL Tobias Steppe generated some big time buzz and is a guy I expect to be on many college radars over thr next few months. He was out with injury this fall and does not have any tape, but he is a long, lean 6-6, 256 and he moved really well on the day. Without game tape the offers may not come quickly but I could see it being a busy spring and summer as college coaches see him in person.-Midlothian Heritage LB Temerrick Johnson is listed as an edge on his hudl but he worked with the LBs on Sunday. He not only showed the quickness that makes him a threat off the edge but he showed some really nice COD and range to his game. He also checked in at 6-3.5, 205 and his efforts earned him LB MVP honors. Houston, Rice, and UTSA have already offered but I have a feeling his offer list is about to grow considerably. This guy is a P5 prospect.-I never went to cover a Lewisville game looking for 2024 CB Tony-Louis Nkuba, but everytime he made an impression. At yesterday's camp he did it again and took home DB MVP honors. A solid 6-foot, 170, he was a wet blanket in 1-on-1s and made some great plays on the ball throughout the camp. Arizona St, Texas Tech, ans Austin Peay have already offered but he'll continue to see that list grow.-Plano East DE Chima Chineke's length is going to draw a lot of attention at over 6-foot-4, 220. I don't have the measurements but I feel confident saying his hands, feet, and arms measurements are going to be well above average.-Chapel Hill WR Cameron Kelley quickly drew attention when he checked in at over 6-4, and right at 185. -Keep an eye on Tyler Legacy DE Travis Jackson. He quietly put together a very strong season opposite of Alabama signee Jordan Renaud and he has legit size and length at 6-3.5, 220 pounds. He already holds offers from Texas Tech. Another edge defender to keep an eye on is Armstrong Nnodim. He checked in right at 6-2 so he's on the short side but he has been a terror off the edge at camps and had a very strong showing this fall. He just started wrestling and is currently undefeated and toying with people. He's one explosive dude off the edge and in the right scheme he could be a heck of a playmaker.-North McKinney 2024 TE Nate Markiewicz is a big target and a true in-line option at 6-5, 250, and he took home TE MVP honors for showing some reliable hands on the day. I was also impressed with Richardson Pearce 2024 TE Jewlyen Roberts . He's over 6-3, and a solid 235, moved well in and out of his cuts, and is also a standout on the baseball field.-Frisco Emerson 2024 QB Michael Hawkins took home QB MVP honors for the second year in a row. DeSoto's DJ Bailey was again right on his heels. Argyle Liberty Christian's Cole Welliver spun the ball well as did China Springs Cash McCollum and Frisco Wakeland's Brennan Myer.-Denton Guyer's Willie Goodacre took home OL MVP honors. He worked at OT but I see him being a better fit at OG on the college level. Flower Mound Marcus 2024 Jack Tanner turned heads with his performance throughout at 6-6, 275. Melissa 2025 OL Owen Hollenbeck also had another strong performance.-Guyer 2024 WR Josiah Martin was the top performer at WR on Sunday. He is a route technician with exceptional quickness, and body control.-China Spring' 2024 DE Greydon Grimes worked out at both DE and TE on the day. He is the son of Baylor OC Jeff Grimes and checked in at 6-6, 235 on the day. Former Southlake Carroll 2024 TE Harrison Moore is making the move to OL, he's a light 240 pounds but he has some quick feet, has plenty of room on his 6-5 frame, and has been a strong blocker for the Dragons at TE.-It was good to see a couple of 2026 RBs making waves. Carthage's KJ Edwards who turned plenty of heads this fall for the Bulldogs and Frisco Lone Star's Davian Groce who already holds offers from Arizona St and Texas Tech.NLA MVPsOL - Willie Goodacre, Denton GuyerDL - Xavier Ukponu, Denton Guyer (2025)LB - Temerrick Johnson, Midlothian HeritageRB - Deonte Dean, Dallas Lake HighlandsOverall - Kamauryn Morgan, Red Oak (2025)WR - Josiah Martin, Denton GuyerTE - Nate Markiewicz, McKinney NorthQB - Mike Hawkins, Frisco EmersonDB - Tony-Louis Nkuba, Lewisville
Notes and Thoughts from my High School visits
The offers-Arlington Bowie OL Devon Campbell is regarded as one of the top players in Texas and the country for good reason. He is big, he is athletic, and he is physical, mean, and nasty in the trenches. On the recruiting front he does not really tip his hand much. He has his top 8 of Alabama, Florida State, Houston, LSU, Oklahoma, Texas, Texas A&M, and USC, and he has said he plans to take visits to each. He already has official visits scheduled to Oklahoma and USC this summer and he took an unofficial to Texas this spring. In talking to a few different sources there continues to be a Texas feel to his recruitment, but the good news for everyone else is he plans to wait until the Under Armour Game to announce/make his college decision. My personal feel is I think he visits A&M at some point and I will feel better about A&M's chances once that happens, especially if it's of the official variety. Right now, I like the Longhorns' chances the best.Arlington Bowie OL Devon Campbell (@d1campbell_) making it look easy @coachjsam @bowievolfb pic.twitter.com/ujJVtQS8QI— Jason Howell (@Jason_Howell) May 10, 2021
-Pilot Point ATH Ish Harris checks in at 6-4, 198 right now and he has a great frame and some very intriguing overall athleticism. He has his top five of Miami, Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas A&M and he plans to visit all five in June. Miami will get the first official visit, Texas A&M is scheduled for June 11, Oklahoma is June 18, and Texas is set for June 25. He does not have Michigan scheduled but look for him to take a mid-week visit to Ann Arbor. In July he plans to make his commitment and he plans to graduate in December. I tend to think this is really an Oklahoma, Texas, Texas A&M battle and the more I hear the more I think Texas A&M and Oklahoma have the edge. As I said in My Three Things today I like A&M's chances and it is mainly due to the education, the coaches, and the SEC factor. -DeSoto 2023 WR Johntay Cook is one of the smoothest route runners you will find. I have said it before, but he is at the top of my 2023 WR list. He is explosive, he can line up in the slot or outside. He plays big, he can be physical, and he has great hands and body control. He was one of Texas A&M's first 2023 offers and he keeps in weekly communication with receivers coach Dameyune Craig. He was in Austin for the Longhorns spring game and if I were to give someone an early edge, it would probably be the Horns. That said, he will be in College Station this summer and the Aggies seem to be making some headway. Shemar Turner has also been in his ear about the Aggies. He is already a national recruit so I expect several schools to be involved and there is a lot of time before he signs. Right now he is planning to visit College Station on June 15.Another quick recruiting note-2022 Oregon commit Stephon Johnson has moved from Lancaster to DeSoto and he has been in communication with coach Craig as well. He does not have an offer from the Aggies right now, but he may join Cook on the trip to College Station on June 15. They already have an official to Oregon scheduled for June 4 and he plans to visit USC as well. Honestly, he is pretty locked into Oregon and in constant communication with the coaches over there, but it is always something to watch.Next offer?This one is tough, but the 2024s at DeSoto and McKinney are definitely worth watching. Let's start with McKinney. Wide Receiver Xavier Filsaime and running back/athlete Bryan Jackson are probably the biggest names and both already have FBS scholarship offers. These are two guys I see being national prospects. Filsaime checks in at 6-foot, 170 and he runs some crisp routes and he tracks the ball very well. He also passes the eyeball test so I expect him to turn heads on the camp circuit this summer. Jackson checks in around 6-1, 215 and played running back and linebacker last year. He may out grow the running back position but he is a big, fluid athlete with big time potential. In DeSoto, DE Caleb Mitchell and CB Mario Buford headline the 2024 class. Mitchell started on varsity for much of 2020 and already holds offers from TCU and Mississippi State. He showed some speed off the edge and has added some weight to his frame. He currently checks in around 6-2, 240. Buford is the younger brother of Nebraska's Marques Buford and holds offers from Mississippi State, Oregon, and Nebraska. He has played WR and CB in the past but he is focused on DB right now.There are a few other underclassmen to watch. McKinney 2024 WR Messiah Washington caught my attention at 6-1, 175 and ATH Makhi Frazier is a defensive playmaker at 5-11, 195. Jackson moved in from Allen and he has as much upside or more as Filsaime. Frazier lined up at linebacker when I saw him last week and he has a solid build and great lateral quickness. He spent last season on the JV where he recorded 11 INTs from his S spot. He also returns kicks and I would put him down as a S/LB hybrid right now.DeSoto 2024 QB DJ Bailey has a big arm and can spin it with ease. DeSoto 2024 WR Kam Robinson worked at WR and has many buzzing about him being the next big time target. DeSoto 2023 CB Caimon Mathis is the son of head coach Claude Mathis and he has made giant strides. He has bulked up and added some nice size to his lengthy frame, and he has been lockdown in spring and on the 7-on-7 circuit. Another guy to watch is Hebron 2023 Edge Carson Dean. At 6-4, 230 he has a burst off the edge and also works at tight end. SleepersMy favorite out of this group has to be Noah McKinney. The 6-foot-5, 270-pound standout is in his first year on the football field. He is the younger brother of Michigan State Darius Snow and the son of NBA standout Eric Snow. His uncle is Percy Snow claimed the Butkus and Lombardi awards before becoming a first round draft pick. He comes to the football field from the basketball court and he already holds an offer from Texas Southern. He passes the eyeball test with flying colors with very little fat on his frame, and he is just scratching the surface when it comes to football.2022 OL Noah McKinney (@N_McKinney1) with the pass protection. Already has an offer from Texas Southern@14Jhill @FootballHebron pic.twitter.com/edoCWFIwuU— Jason Howell (@Jason_Howell) May 10, 2021
Wide Receiver Takoda Bridges is another one of my favorites. His size has hurt his recruiting. He is not the biggest at 5-foot-9, but he does it all on the field. He plays receiver and cornerback. He returns kicks. He has a high football IQ and a great work ethic. He is the younger brother of former Hebron standout Trejan Bridges. 2022 WR Koda Bridges (@TakodaBridges) making it look smooth and effortless@14Jhill @FootballHebron pic.twitter.com/lBXZTTqIV8— Jason Howell (@Jason_Howell) May 10, 2021
DeSoto S Devyn Bobby is one of my favorites in the underrated category. He has a great nose for the ball and plays above his size. RB Chris Henley is a bruiser of a back who can also be a receiving threat out of the backfield. McKinney had a couple of super sleepers who deserve some recognition after big springs. DE Eli Saintjuste added 15-pounds in the offseason and now checks in at 6-2, 230. He has also played h-back in the past and coaches raved about his spring. They also liked what they saw from 6-foot, 170-pound CB Mekah Ryder. Ryder was on JV last fall, but he has seen things click into place as he got more and more reps this spring. Ryder has also been clocked at 4.52 in the 40 and ran a 51 400m during track season.Keep an eye on #2, that’s Mekah Ryder (@RyderMekah) and he’s a 6-0, 170-pound 2022 CB@McKinneyHS_FB @Coach_Shavers @coachjordan03 #WAWG pic.twitter.com/fGNt29yhtw— Jason Howell (@Jason_Howell) May 11, 2021
A few notes from my travels
Fort Worth (TX) Nolan Catholic 2022 RB Emeka Megwa has played his cards close to the vest but I would not be surprised if he decides to make a college choice before the end of 2020. I don't think it will be soon, but he also does not want to wait too long and he has already taken quite a few trips. He is also thinking about graduating in December of 2021, which is hard to do at Nolan Catholic, but it can be done. There was a time it looked like Oklahoma might have the lead, but it now seems like it is pretty open. Texas A&M, Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Penn State, and Alabama are schools he has developed strong bonds with coaches. Going to a winning program is pretty high on his list of factors. Fort Worth (TX) Nolan Catholic 2023 DL Kaleb James is another one on Texas A&M's radar. He has not been in direct communication with the Texas A&M staff but interest has been communicated by both A&M and James. His DL coach is former Texas A&M player KJ Williams so he has heard quite a bit about the Aggies too. Right now, he's 6-5, 238 and he looks like a future strongside defensive end. He has some broad shoulders and the build to add some weight too. He has very little bad weight on his frame right and I know a lot of schools are trying to figure out if he could also grow into a three-tech. I have had a chance to see him quite a few times over the past few months, he is a high motor guy. He is technically sound. He does not shy away from any competition. Fort Worth (TX) Nolan Catholic 2023 TE Saimone Davis is another guy to watch. He quickly passes the eyeball test at 6-4, 230 and he already holds offers from Illinois State, Utah State, and Kansas. He is fairly new to the DFW-area. His family moved to DFW from Hawaii last year and he played freshman ball at Euless Trinity last fall. New name: S Tyson Flowers, Fort Worth (TX) Southwest Christian (2022) - SEC bloodlines. His father Jeromy Flowers played at Arkansas and is currently the head coach at Southwest Christian. Flowers started last fall and was all-district as a sophomore. He added 30-pounds this spring and summer and now checks in at a solid 6-foot, 180-pounds. He is considered one of, if not the, best athletes at Southwest Christian and is noted for his high football IQ, instincts, and work ethic. He also has a 4.72 weighted GPA so he's a high academic guy. 2021 Sleeper: WR Alex Welch, Fort Worth (TX) Southwest Christian - Another athlete with some strong SEC bloodlines. His father played at LSU and his uncle Ike Hilliard played at Florida and in the NFL. He is a raw 6-3, 180-pound WR but the tape shows some flashes. He has the build to easily add weight. I could see him adding 20-30 pounds and not missing a beat. He's a very intriguing athlete to say the least. I had a chance to see some elite young prospects over the weekend. It is extremely early for these guys but here's a few guys you are going to want to put on your watch list. QB DJ Bailey, DeSoto (2024) - 5-10, 155 with a great arm. The ball pops off his hand, throws with accuracy and velocity. I'll just say people are very excited about him in DeSoto.WR Taylor Offord, McKinney North (2024) - 5-10, 155 ran the best routes I saw Sunday and had a great catch radius. He's all arms and legs right now.DE Zion Carter, McKinney North (2024) - 6-1, 208, he was at the camp as a TE, but this guy just looks like a future defenderCB Corian Gipson, Lancaster (2024) - 5-11, 155, long, fluid athlete with advanced feet. DB Jaydan Hardy, Lewisville (2024) - 6-0, 170, could play S or CB. His father Darryl Hardy was All-SEC at TennesseeRB Deondrae Riden, DeSoto (2025) - 5-10, 160, solid build, ran a 4.63 40 on Sunday. CB Christian Watson, San Antonio Cornerstone Christian (2025) - 5-9, 135, already holds an offer from Nevada.ATH Daylon Singleton, DeSoto (2025) - 5-11, 145 and ran a 4.56 40 on Sunday. Could play WR or DB.
I stopped through DeSoto yesterday - notes
I had a chance to get down to DeSoto yesterday and as usual the talent is about as top notch as it gets in the state. 2021s Shemar Turner and Byron Murphy II lead the way, which is saying something with P5 commits Jaedon Wilson (Arkansas), Jerand Bradley (Texas Tech), and Samari Collier (Illinois) leading the way. Let's talk A&M targets. We already posted the interview from key Texas A&M target Shemar Turner. He had a Zoom meeting with coach Price last night and it sounds like things went well. He is down to his top five and right now I don't think I would give anyone a lead. He wants to take his visits and decide after he gets that chance. Georgia, LSU, Alabama, and Texas join the Aggies in his top 5.https://texags.com/s/36401/2021-dl-shemar-turner-outlines-next-steps-in-his-recruiting-process2023 WR johntay Cook has also been offered by the Aggies. He is in no hurry with the recruiting process, but receiving the Texas A&M offer meant a lot to him. He is drawing a lot of comparisons to Dontre Wilson around the DeSoto program and he is a smooth, explosive prospect. We will have an interview with him posted soon.https://twitter.com/Jason_Howell/status/1276235472772239360?s=20If I have a sleeper to watch in the 2021s it is OL Yakiri Walker. At 6-3, 270 he passes the eyeball test and he led all linemen OL and DL in the first morning session sprints. The first morning session did not include Turner or Murphy. Walker is currently committed to UConn but he has the frame and athleticism to make him a high potential prospect. UConn has a steal right now.Jerand Bradley is a guy I left feeling we have underrated. He has been turning some heads since he arrived at DeSoto. Bradley has great size (6-5, 200), massive hands, and runs crisp routes. There is no question he is going to be a top target for QB Samari Collier, and I think he is currently DeSoto's top receiver. There has not been much talk about him and A&M, but he has SEC ability and is a guy I could see eventually emerging on the radar.https://twitter.com/Jason_Howell/status/1276233018760364036?s=20A prospect already on the Aggie's radar is 2023 S/LB Jaden Milliner-Jones. He has been to College Station before and he already holds offers from Illinois State and SMU. He transferred to DeSoto from Mesquite Horn where he was an all-district player as a freshman. He currently checks in at 5-11, 175, but he has a great build that I could eventually see evolving into a linebacker. That said, he moved very well and he was right there at the top of the list when it came to prospects at DeSoto. https://twitter.com/Jason_Howell/status/1276202096078045184?s=20Here's a few other young prospects I am taking note of right now. It is early but these guys are generating a lot of buzz in DeSoto.2024 DE Caleb Mitchell - 6-2, 220 - I saw him at a camp earlier this spring and he brings some serious speed off the edge. There is a lot of talk of him making an instant impact on the varsity level this fall.2024 ATH Mario Buford - 6-0, 160 - The offense and defense are currently fighting over him, but wherever he ends up the future is bright. He has speed, size, and is already turning heads with his athleticism. https://twitter.com/Jason_Howell/status/1276190652343214080?s=20A few others I was impressed with2022 S Devyn Bobby2023 CB Caimon Mathis 2023 S Jamarion Ravenell 2024 QB DJ Bailey 2024 RB Jaden Trawick was not out there yesterday, but there is already a lot of talk about the 5-11, 190-pound back.
