Around the SEC: Recruiting News & Trends
It's time to take a look around at the biggest pickups on the recruiting front as well as some of the top recruiting news and notes from around the SEC. Jason Howell details that and more in this week's Around the SEC.
Around Texas: A round-up of recruiting news in the Lone Star State
High school and college football around the state of Texas are currently going through spring drills and offseason workouts, but recruiting never stops. It is time to take a look at the latest happenings on the Lone Star State recruiting front as the offseason rolls on.
10 mo ago by
Jason Howell
Around Texas: A round-up of recruiting news in the Lone Star State
Signing Day has come and gone, but there is no time to rest. The focus has fully shifted from 2024 prospects to the class of 2025, and there has already been plenty of action on the Texas recruiting trails as the offseason ensues.
Around Texas: A round-up of recruiting news in the Lone Star State
Summer is here and the class of 2024 rapidly gaining attention, plenty of moves are being made as things continue to heat up across Texas. It is time to take a look at the latest happenings on the recruiting front from across the Lone Star state.
Recruiting Notes and prospects from East Texas
I dropped through East Texas this week seeing prospects at Tyler High, Tyler Legacy, Chapel Hill, Longview, Texarkana Pleasant Grove, and Texarkana Texas High. The Aggies have already offered three prospects and we have already posted updates/reports on 2023 Longview All-American WR Jalen Hale and 2024 Tyler High RB Derrick McFall. The other prospect the Aggies have offered is Tyler Legacy All-American DE Jordan Renaud. Hale spoke very highly of the Aggies, Jimbo Fisher, and Dameyune Craig. He lists the Aggies high on his list right now alongside Alabama and he has some thoughts on his official visits and his decision timetable. Here's a link to the full story. McFall spoke highly of RB coach Tommie Robinson and he likes what he sees in the Texas A&M program. He is a 2024 so it is still early in the process. Here's a link to his interview Renaud has talked up Jimbo Fisher and Terry Price throughout the process, and he listed Texas A&M in his top 8 in January. However, Texas A&M's numbers are likely to be tight on the DL and communication has slowed, while a couple of programs, Oklahoma and Alabama, have come on strong. He visited Oklahoma for their Junior Day last week and saw a lot of one-on-one attention from DL coach Todd Bates, area recruiter Jay Valai, and head coach Brent Venables on the trip. He did not name a leader but the Sooners definitely have attention. The only other visit currently scheduled is a trip to Tuscaloosa for Alabama's spring game. He also mentioned he would like to visit Arkansas, Florida State, Georgia, and maybe Baylor this spring or summer. It will be intriguing to see what the Aggies do on the DL with two commits in Anthony James and Johnny Bowens and numbers being tighter on the DL. Things have slowed with Renaud, but I do not believe things are done between him and the Aggies. He also says he is not currently focused on the process and he does not have a decision timeline in mind. ***********Now for some guys who caught my attention while on my travels, and there are quite a few. Let's start with a select few 2023s. WR Montrell Wade, Tyler High - At 6-1, 175 he has been on the recruiting scene since receiving his first offers as a freshman, and he has been a multi-year standout on the field. He attended Texas A&M's Junior Day in January and he continues to communicate with the Aggies. Right now, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech are coming on the strongest. OL/DL Victor Shaw, Texarkana Pleasant Grove - The 6-4, 265-pound standout is being recruited as an offensive lineman, a defensive lineman, and even at tight end. Baylor, Texas Tech, TCU, and Colorado are among those to extend an offer. He camped at Texas A&M last summer. DL Keviyan Huddleston, Chapel Hill - 6-4, 235 pounds, two-way standout, district offensive line MVP, recently ran a 4.69 handtimed 40 and he holds offers from the likes of Arkansas, Texas Tech, TCU, Arizona, and Oklahoma State.**************Here's a few 2024s RB Jaylen Boardley, Texarkana Pleasant Grove - he's been a varsity for the past two years. A strong powerful, versatile back. Arkansas has taken a high interest. WR TaMarcus Gray,Texarkana Texas High - I highlighted him recently in Around Texas. He's a 6-1, 165-pound standout, already receiving P5 offers. OL Caleb Hackleman, Texarkana Pleasant Grove - 6-5.5, 260, big framed, long arms, light on his feet. Texas Tech put an early offer on the table. DE Travis Jackson, Tyler Legacy - 6-4, 225 with a lot of room for growth. Attracting early interest from Oklahoma State, SMU, and SFA. CB Zachaun Willams, Tyler High - Long 6-1, 175 and earned 1st team all-district with his play. Offers have already arrived from Arkansas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, and Northern Arizona, and he attended Texas A&M's Junior Day in January. CB Willie Nelson, Longview - 5-10, 165, clocked a 10.9 100m a few weeks ago, recorded 8 INTs, and recently received offers from Incarnate Word and UTSA ATH Ahkhari Johnson, Texarkana Pleasant Grove - Versatile athlete, who stands out in multi-sports and positions. He was generating buzz around Texarkana before he made it to high school and has been a varsity standout.**********And why not, here's some 2025 guys you are going to want to know DE/TE Lance Jackson, Texarkana Pleasant Grove - little brother of Landon Jackson, a multi-sport standout who is currently playing baseball, checks in at 6-6, 245, and plays both TE and DEe. Already holds offers from Arkansas, Baylor, Houston, UTSA, La Tech, and Texas Tech. RB Rickey Stewart, Chapel Hill - 5-10, 180 and he can move. Rushed for 1,055 yards and 8 TDs on 117 carries in 9 games as the starter and earned 2nd team all district. The offers are piling up with Arkansas, Houston, UTSA, UTEP, SMU, Texas Tech, and La Tech already on the table. QB Demetrius Brisbon, Chapel Hill - started the season at S, but moved to QB in game five and threw for over 1000 and rushed for over 1000 as he helped guide Chapel Hill to the cusp of the championship game. Earned district newcomer of the year in football and 1st team all district in basketball. Also recently recorded a 38.11 triple jump. Offers have arrived from Arkansas, SMU, Texas Tech, UTSA, and ULM