Notes, Quotes, and Thoughts from my weekend
Top Targets I saw:Argyle DL Jadon Scarlett (2022) - Texas A&M commit Wylie East DE Anthony James (2023) - Texas A&M commit Allen OL Neto Umeozulu (2022) Allen DL David Hicks (2023)Denton Ryan LB Anthony Hill (2023)Longview WR Jalen Hale (2023) The final scores:-Wylie East 19 Mount Pleasant 14-Allen 56 Plano East 30-Denton Ryan 40 Longview 7 -Argyle 45 Nolan Catholic 29Some Recruiting notes -Scarlett and James are solidly committed and active on the recruiting front. Look for both to attend games in College Station this fall. James is planning to visit for Bama.-Allen 2023 DL David Hicks continues to keep in close contact with coach Elijah Robinson, and when I say close contact, I mean they talk daily. He continues to have a high interest in the Aggies.-Allen 2022 OL Neto Umeozulu has been pretty quiet but he cleared up some of the mystery when we talked to him a few weeks ago. I continue to hear a he would like to make a decision soon, but he has wants to take some visits. Whether it's an official or unofficial I expect him to get back to Texas A&M at some point this fall. Others in contention include USC, Alabama, LSU, and Texas.-Denton Ryan 2023 LB Anthony Hill continues to take in the recruiting process. He has a great relationship with the coaching staff with coach Tyler Santucci leading the charge. Everyone is in hot pursuit, but I look for the Aggies to very much be a factor when he starts narrowing his focus.-Longview 2023 WR Jalen Hale, I did not get a chance to catch up with him. Oklahoma has been talked about quite a bit with him, and I look for them to be a factor, but I also think Texas A&M, Texas, LSU, and others will factor into things before it's all said and done.Some thoughts on the game action-Anthony Hill and David Hicks are for real - They are my top two defenders in the 2023 class for a reason and are two of the best regardless of year. The hype is real guys. These guys are violent and relentless. They play with speed, they play with an edge, and they pursue, pursue, pursue. I'm sure they both piled up the stats, but I also don't need stats to tell me they had great games. My eyes saw it. These are two special talents and I highly recommend anyone able bodied football fan to get out to see these guys. Two of the state’s best, Ryan’s Anthony Hill (@thegoatanthony1) gets out to bring down Longview’s Jalen Hale (@JalenHale8) as he makes his move after the catch pic.twitter.com/1i4HvcRWFd— Jason Howell (@Jason_Howell) August 28, 2021
Talk about a hustle play, 2023 DL David Hicks (@DJ2g23) comes from his DE spot across the field to get in on the downfield tackle. That’s 6-4, 268 on the move@alleneaglesfb pic.twitter.com/JbPQORJdmu— Jason Howell (@Jason_Howell) August 28, 2021
-Anthony James flashed his potential throughout Wylie East's win over Mount Pleasant. At 6-5, 240 he has some special athleticism and moves in ways a big guy should not be able to do. He saw multiple blockers throughout the night and made his presence felt as the Raiders secured their first win of the season. Overall, I thought he had a solid performance and I look forward to seeing his progress throughout the year. Wylie East standout 2023 DE and Texas A&M commit Anthony James (@AntJamesII) applies the pressure and East grabs the INT #DUBEAST #GigEm pic.twitter.com/e7qRQB3KfC— Jason Howell (@Jason_Howell) August 27, 2021
-Jadon Scarlett has been slowed by an ankle sprain this preseason and entered the game knowing his action was going to be limited. In only a half of play, his quick first step showed and he was able to get into the backfield and make his presence felt. The injury is not anything serious, Argyle is just being cautious right now which they can do because they have some real talent up frontTexas A&M commit @jadon_scarlett in the backfield for the TFL #GigEm pic.twitter.com/cAY6SZ48Mp— Jason Howell (@Jason_Howell) August 29, 2021
-Neto Umeozulu continues to be one of my favorites. He plays with a nasty edge as you will see in his game clips. He showed some nifty footwork, picked up blocks downfield, and played with power and strength throughout the night. -Jalen Hale and the Longview offense was pretty much contained by a stout Denton Ryan defense. Hale had a few nice receptions and there is no denying his talent. His size, catch radius, body control, and athleticism are special. More standouts-QB/ATH TJ Washington, Wylie East (2023) - he made a variety of plays and lined up at QB, RB, and WR. Shifty and quick, he finished with 18 carries for 157 yards and a TD. TJ Washington (@LilRex2023) works his magic as he escapes defenders on the way for the scoreWylie East 13Mount Pleasant 710:56 2nd Q#txhsfb pic.twitter.com/A8V3EK3SWp— Jason Howell (@Jason_Howell) August 27, 2021
-RB Jaylen Jenkins, Allen (2022) - he started the game with a 94-yard KO return and also had a 90-yard TD run. He is not the biggest but he has a compact build and he is shifty with plenty of speed. He finished with 204 yards and 3 TDs on 9 carries and the KO return gave him 4 total TDs on the night.Jaylen Jenkins (@D1_Jay) made several big plays and here’s one of them. A little catch and run to move the chains pic.twitter.com/k1sGNT9uDm— Jason Howell (@Jason_Howell) August 28, 2021
-RB Kalib Hicks, Denton Ryan (2022) - An every down back, Hicks brings the size, speed, balance, and vision to the table. He rushed for 139 yards and 3 TDs on 9 carries as he helped push the Raiders past LongviewQB Drew Devillier, Plano East (2024) - 19 of 30 for 244 yards and 2 TDs against a stout Allen defense. At 6-4, 195 he was cool under pressure and fit the ball in some tight windows. He committed to TCU baseball over the weekend but keep an eye on this guy.6-4, 195-pound Plano East 2024 QB Drew DeVillier (@DevillierDrew) played some ball tonight. Put the ball in some tight spots and on the money. Here’s TD No.1 to tie it at 7s early in the first pic.twitter.com/57JFyOYHSs— Jason Howell (@Jason_Howell) August 28, 2021
-DL Riley Van Poppel, Argyle (2023) 6-4, 260 and played both TE and DL on Friday night. He was a disruptive presence throughout and was named defensive MVP for his efforts-DE Michael Madrie, Argyle (2023) 6-5, 245 he has length, athleticism, a strong motor, and a work ethic to go with it. He plays a smart brand of ball and is turning heads of college coachesQuotes"It feels great. We've been working hard for all these months and we finally have it. It all paid off, all the work. The grind we had all summer, all the conditioning, lifting, it all came together. We came with change and we ended with a win." - Anthony James, on Wylie East's win"We performed well. We had a record of giving up in the second half and we pulled through." - Anthony James on Wylie East's performance"I'm not going to lie in the first half I was really nervous. I've never played in front of a big crowd like this. Then the second half I really woke up and started doing what I do best and playing some football." - David Hicks on his first game as an Allen Eagle"I've been waiting on this day. I've been waiting to put some film out for these coaches." - Jaylen Jenkins on his performance"I couldn't do it without my blockers. They're the GOAT. They bring it every week. They go through tough work every day. They go through adversity and fight through and never complain." - Jaylen Jenkins on his offensive line"I'm feeling good. It's just a small little ankle sprain and I'll be back in no time." - Jadon Scarlett on his injury"This D-line is an amazing, phenomenal group of guys, and I can't wait to be able to contribute with them" - Jadon Scarlett on the Argyle D-line
Some Monday Recruiting Notes
Rockwall-Heath 2022 WR Jay Fair continues to put the Aggies high on his list. He does not have a narrowed list at this time, but Texas A&M and coach Craig continue to make an impression. We will have more from Fair later but he told me the Aggies would be in his top five right now. One school I would keep an eye on is TCU. He mentioned them a few times and there has been some TCU buzz surrounding Fair with wide receiver coach Malcolm Kelly is developing a strong bond there. I had the chance to see Jadon Scarlett and I will have an interview with him as well as some highlights from his workout. He currently checks in at a solid 6-2, 260. His powerful base, violent hands, and quickness definitely stood out as I watched him work. The Aggies continue to pursue with defensive line coach Terry Price leading the Aggies efforts. The Aggies are watching him closely and he has been keeping in close contact with coach Price. He does not have any decision plans for right now, but the Aggies are high on his list.https://twitter.com/Jason_Howell/status/1358176001679884290?s=20Denton Ryan 2023 LB Anthony Hill continues to show impressively at any and all showcases. He is a big fluid athlete and he has shown he can be just as effective dropping into coverage as he can pursuing the run or getting pressure in the backfield. He recently had a Zoom call with coach Santucci and the Aggies seem to be squarely in the mix. He plays 7-on-7 for True Buzz which also has strong ties to Buddy Johnson and Buddy is a guy Hill looks up to and respects. It is also clear he likes what he saw out of Texas A&M's defense. It is still early in his recruiting process, but Hill is a guy I expect the Aggies to be a real player for when he does decide to start narrowing his focus. We will have more from Hill later.There was a lot of Bryce Anderson talk over the weekend. It is clear Texas has ramped up their efforts, and right now, based on what I was told from a few different sources, they look like the Aggies' main competition for the West Brook standout. That said, based on the same sources, I still like Texas A&M's chances more than anyone elses and I say that with a pretty high confidence level. Coach Elko and coach Ish have done a great job developing the relationship there, and the relationship along with the SEC are nice pluses for the Aggies.Aledo S Bryan Allen is another top safety to recently re-open his recruitment after an early commitment to LSU. He says he is keeping his options open right now, but Texas, Georgia, Kansas State, and Texas Tech are four schools coming on very strong. He did mention Texas A&M as a school he wants to visit once the COVID Dead Period is lifted. Texas A&M is in the mix but I expect him to take his time. It was good to see DeSoto 2023 WR Johntay Cook over the weekend. He showed well throughout the weekend, making catches in traffic and creating space. He is one of the top receivers in 2023 and he was one of the first in-state offers the Aggies extended in the 2023 class. Closing out my Pylon coverage there are a few 2023s Texas A&M fans may want to write down. Justin Northwest QB Jake Strong led the Northwest Texans to a 7-4 record this fall and completed 197 of 306 passes for 2,319 yards, 25 TDs, and only 5 INTs. The ball pops out of his hand and he has the arm to make all the throws. Duncanville CB Deldrick Madison is another one. He turned quite a few heads this fall and is starting to see his offer list blow up. The 6-foot, 180-pound sophomore picked up offers from Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Missouri, and Michigan at the end of January. Then there is Arlington Seguin CB Jamel Johnson. Johnson has been on the Aggies radar the longest of all these guys, and has already visited College Station. He has been a mainstay on Seguin's defense the last two years. I have heard all three of these guys are emerging on Texas A&M's radar.Over the weekend I also had an opportunity to check out a few intriguing under the radar guys when I went to watch Jadon Scarlett. Argyle 2022 OL Sheridan Wilson has been one of my favorites in this class for awhile now. He currently checks in at 6-4.5, 280 and he has been impressive at every showing. He is a bit undersized for a tackle prospect but he gets bigger and bigger every time I see him and I won't be shocked at all if we are talking about a 6-5, 6-6 prospect by the time he hits a college campus. Great bend and athleticism, strong, and he is from a football family. Coach Henson also has some ties, he recruiting Sheridan's older brother to Oklahoma State. If he continues to grow I could see him becoming a legitimate prospect for the Aggies.https://twitter.com/Jason_Howell/status/1358172482159656966?s=20Argyle 2023 DE Michael Madrie was a guy who really caught my attention. It was the first time I saw him in person and he is a legitimate 6-4, maybe even 6-5. He has a great build and he is already 230. In addition to his size he impressed me this weekend with his quick first step and overall athleticism.https://twitter.com/Jason_Howell/status/1358171638395731981?s=20Another Argyle 2023 is OL/DL Wes Tucker. He is the younger brother of 2021 Texas Tech signee Jack Tucker, and I would give Wes the edge athletically over his older brother. He does not have quite the build of his older brother just yet, but Wes stands in at 6-5, 250 and I could see him growing into a nice OL prospect over the next few years. Then there was 2024 Flower Mound Marcus DT Matt Bryant. He is right around 6-2, 250 but what really stood out to me was how he competed with the older guys. He took on Sheridan Wilson, he faced another Argyle 2022 and even took on a 2021 who will play college ball and he held his own. He was quick off the ball, he worked his hands, and showed a lot of potential. https://twitter.com/Jason_Howell/status/1358174170861961221?s=20
