Texas 7-on-7 State Finals Preview
College Station will be hosting the annual state championships for 7-on-7 this weekend at Veteran's Park on Harvey Rd just east of Hwy 6. The teams will be divided into small and large school brackets. Division II (small schools) will begin play on Thursday afternoon while the big boys start on Friday. Depending on the bracket, games will either begin at 1 and 2 o'clock each day. Here's a look at the pools and schedule...https://twitter.com/r_brauninger/status/879452412666359808https://twitter.com/r_brauninger/status/879453149593042945In looking at the D1 bracket, I'll be keeping an eye on all Pool E with Deneric Prince and Brian Johnson from Manvel and key target Bobby Brown from Arlington Lamar. Jalen Preston is not expected to make the trip because he's participating in The Opening this weekend. These types of events are built for guys like 2019 QB Grant Gunnell and his shifty WR teammate Chase Lane. The A&M will commits will start play in Pool G against some pretty tough squads that will feature 2019 TE Austin Stogner (Oklahoma) out of Plano Prestonwood. The last commit is in Pool J where Montel Parker and his Dickinson teammates will try to replicate last year's run in this event that included an upset over heavily favored Manvel. Other guys more guys per group to watch for in the big school bracket...Pool A:Clear Brook WR Caleb Chapman 2019 Coppell S Jonathan McGill 2019 Lake Travis WR Garrett Wilson Pool B:Cinco Ranch ATH Brant Kuithe 2019 Lufkin ATH Breylon Garcia 2019 Haslet Eaton RB Titus Swen Georgetown LB Brandon Hawkins (Boise State)Georgetown WR Caden Leggett - had a big Pylon 7v7 National Championship runPool C:Cedar Ridge RB Simi Bakare 2019 Cedar Ridge WR Jaylen Ellis (Baylor)Fort Worth All Saints WR Jaylon Robinson (Oklahoma)Pool D:Mansfield Timberview ATH Jalen Knox (Missouri)Del Valle WR La'Thaniel Washington Del Valle LB Cameron Wilkins Pool E:2019 Hutto QB Chase Griffin Manvel QB Kason Martin (UNT)Arlington Lamar WR Matthew Shaw 2019 Arlington Lamar CB Deshawn Gaddie 2020 Arlington Lamar LB James Douglas Pool F:2019 Katy RB Deondrick Glass 2021 Katy QB Bronson McClelland 2020 Mesquite Poteet RB Seth McGowan Pool G:St Pius WR Bryson Jackson 2019 Beaumont West Brook RB Robert McGrue Pool H:San Angelo Central TE Henry TeeterHouston Lamar RB Ta'Zhawn Henry Pool I:Desoto DB German Green (Michigan)DeSoto RB Kelan Walker (Houston)2019 DeSoto WR La'Vontae Shenault 2020 DeSoto DB Jabbar Muhammad Pool J:2019 Dickinson TE Jalen Wydermyer The Colony DB Jaxon GibbsPool K:Lewisville Hebron QB Clayton Tune (Kansas)Lewisville Hebron DB Verone McKinley III 2019 Lewisville Hebron WR Trejan Bridges 2020 Lewisville Hebron S Darius Snow Klein WR Colton ChelootzPool L:Richmond Foster DB Christian YoungFrisco Wakeland WR Tre Adams Pool M:College Station ATH Marquez Perez 2019 Waxahachie S Demani Richardson Pool N:CyCreek WR Miles Battle Pool O:The Woodlands OL Jake Syptak (plays some TE in 7-on-7) (SMU)The Woodlands WR KeSean CarterPool P:A&M Consolidated ATH Kolby Peel (Ok State)2019 Ft Bend Bush S Jamal Morris 2019 Ft Bend Bush CB Erick Young Houston Lamar should look a lot different this weekend with Anthony Cook, D'Shawn Jamison, and Al'vonte Woodard all expected to be at The Opening. I still think they're a team to beat even without those guys. Their depth is crazy. I'll take a stab at the final 4 this weekend - Manvel, St Pius, Lake Travis, and College Station.While the talent isn't as wide spread in the small school division, there will be some really talented kids competing. Some of those names that jump out are...Cuero TE Bralen Taylor (Baylor)Somerset QB Zadock Dinkelmann (BYU)Carthage RB Keaontay Ingram (Texas)2020 Carthage ATH Kelvontay Dixon Rockdale ATH Jaquayln Crawford 2019 Cuero ATH Jordan Whittington 2019 Stafford WR Jalen Curry 2019 Wellington OL Trevor Roberson - could be a possibility as a TE2020 Melissa RB JaBray Young 2020 Melissa QB Brendon Lewis
TexAgs Spring Tour: DeSoto and Duncanville
It was a full day for me in South Dallas, after my morning at Lancaster and SOC, I made the trip over to Duncanville and DeSoto.Some of you may be wondering why I stopped in at both schools since there are not any current Texas A&M targets, well these schools have quite a bit of talent in the younger classes. And no, while I was in DeSoto I did not get the lowdown on what is going on. Today, was a pretty normal practice. The coaches coached, and the players played.With that out of the way, I'll go ahead and say that I've been sleeping on the Green twins. Michigan grabbed a couple of good ones in Gemon Green and German Green. These guys have some great length and overall athleticism and have already had a big offseason on the camp circuit. Arkansas DB commit Byron Hanspard did not work out today. He seems solidly committed to the Razorbacks. Recent Colorado commit Josh Jynes leads a young, but talented, offensive line group. 2019 Evan Henry (6-3, 305) has a 6-9 wingspan and has a nice build. Look for him to start seeing the interest pick up this spring and summer as college coaches get a chance to see him work. 2020 OT Donovan Ford (6-3, 275) will also turn some heads this spring. He's on track to be one of the top OLs in his class right now.Wide receiver has a few names to know. The biggest potential Texas A&M target is 2019 La'Vontae Shenault. He's the little brother of Colorado signee Laviska Shenault and he already holds scholarship offers from TCU and Colorado. He has a big body like his brother. He's 6-1, 180 right now, is not afraid to get physical, has good feet. Another 2019 is Bryon Hanspard. He's a smallish guy right now at 5-9, 140, but he has great bloodlines and I was told he is the hardest working kid in the program. He's not there yet, but keep an eye on him as a slot possibility in that 2019 class. 2020 WRs Paul Pickens (6-0, 165) and Lawrence Arnold (6-3, 175) also have people talking.On the defensive front 2019 DTs Viramontes Pippens (6-0, 294) and Devere Levelston (6-4, 250) are already drawing attention. Pippens is a guy I liked when I saw DeSoto this fall. He's not the tallest, but he has some power in the middle. Levelston is a guy I'm getting to know about but the coaches like him and that length and frame is always nice to see. *************Out in Duncanville I really wanted to get a good look at that 2020 class. It was my first time seeing Ja'Quinden Jackson in person and he definitely looks the part. The guys were not working out but he is definitely as advertised from an eyeball stand point. He already has offers from Oklahoma State and Texas Tech and is ranked No. 3 in the TexAgs 2020 rankings. He's a guy to watch at both quarterback and wide receiver. Also in Duncanville's 2020 class is S Chris Thompson. He's another potential national level recruit for the Panthers. 2019 Jordan Phillips is a big OG prospect at 6-4, 320, and 2019 Tre'Shone Devones brings some nice size at corner at (6-0, 160)The 2018 group has some prospects but I don't see the Aggies getting involved right now. DE Marcus Mosley was the DL MVP at the Opening regional in Dallas and holds offers from McNeese St, UCA, Arkansas State, Bowling Green, and ULL. DT Terrance Newman has also picked up offers from UNT and McNeese and LB Keyshawn Johnson also holds several.
UA Dallas: Recruiting news and notes, post-camp notes
We will have a few video interviews but here's a quick rundownHouston St. Pius X 2019 QB Grant Gunnell He went up to A&M on Thursday and plans to return on Wednesday. He said he's going to try and go up Friday but he's also trying to get to Oklahoma State and Arkansas Friday and Saturday.Texas A&M is establishing quite the connection with one brother Will Gunnell walking on and an older brother talking to Texas A&M about a GA position. Planning to release a top 7 this summer and he thinks A&M will be happy where they end up in that release.New Texas A&M offer and Richland LB DaShaun White He really enjoyed meeting coach Sumlin and coach Chavis and the visited surprised him in a good way.He likes that it's close to home but not too close, he also likes that it's in the SECHe has Oklahoma State coming up on the 15thHe said he liked A&M a lot as well as TCU and Ole Miss He wants to commit before his senior.Fort Worth Nolan Catholic 2019 LB/DE Nana Osafo-Mensah He really enjoyed the visit and liked watching film with the LBs before the scrimmage. He talked to coach Price a lot as well as coach Chavis.He feels a lot of schools are watching him at defensive end and today he checked in at 6-4, 217 and he spent the day with them.He said Texas A&M was definitely a top school. One thing he mentioned as a big plus was the business school He hopes to visit UCLA and USC and may get back to A&M for Friday Night Lights.Colleyville Heritage WR Kameron BrownHe just visited College Station yesterday and he loved watching practice. Watching coach Moorehead teach his guys technique was one thing that caught his attention while in town.Overall he loved coach Sumlin and the way he coaches. He wants to make a decision sometime in the summer.Dallas Bishop Dunne WR/ATH Marquez Beason He's not sure when he will visit but he was excited when he received the offer. He had an idea the Aggies were going to offer but he was still shockedHis only visits plans are to Nebraska on April 15 Dallas Bishop Dunne S Brian Williams He will be at the Nebraska spring game with Marquez Beason and he would like to visit Texas A&M and Texas. He is forming a good bond with coach Moorehead. He likes the fact A&M is in Texas and in the SECHe has not looked into new DB coach Ron Cooper but is looking forward to building the relationship there.Fort Worth Eastern Hills LB Byron HobbsHe will be at Texas A&M for Friday Night Lights and he also plans to visit TCU, Arkansas, Oklahoma State, and Oklahoma.He looks forward to seeing the atmosphere surrounding Texas A&M when he's in town on Friday.He does have about 7 or 8 schools that stand out but he's keeping that a secret right now.Keller Central 2020 WR DJ Graham The Keller Central 2020 receiver was in College Station and said the facilities, players, and coaches really caught his attention. He likes the relationship coach Moorehead has with the receivers. He rated the visit a 10 because of the scrimmage, the big plays, the facilities, and how he was treated on his visit.Aledo 2020 WR Monterren Parks The Aledo 2020 receiver just visited Texas A&M yesterday and he described the visit as fun and a great experience. He liked how big it was and that it is in the SEC.Plano Prestonwood 2019 TE Austin StognerHe said he's been talking with coach Banks and he said the Aggies let him know they want to come out to practice and that they are watching. He will be at Texas A&M for Friday Night Lights and he looks forward to checking out the campus and seeing how the coaches run practice.--More Recruiting Notes---Putnam City (OK) DE Ron Tatum said the Aggies have made a little bit of contact and he may be in College Station Friday for Friday Night LightsVerone McKinley III has not finalized his plans but do not be surrprised if he is in town on Thursday and goes to Friday Night Lights. He's trying to figure it all out but he wants to spend a day and go to classes and see what it's like to be an athlete at Texas A&M on his next visit.Erik Ezukanma said he will be in College Station for Friday Night Lights. Look for Jarell Cherry to be there too. RJ Mickens also confirmed his plans to attend FNL.Darrell Simpson was not sure if he would make it to Friday Night Lights and Alston Orji and Anfernee Orji cannot make it due to a track meet. Jalen Catalon mentioned he has been talking with coach Price and he plans to attend the A&M spring game---Post-Camp Notes---I'll admit it, I've been a bit down on Darrell Simpson, but he really looked good today. His footwork was very good and he handled some very good opponents in 1-on-1s. His size has always been a plus, but he has shown some nice improvements in his footwork and his overall flexibility.There's been some pretty negative evals thrown out there about LSU commit Chasen Hines but he had a very good day today and won the camp Lineman Challenge award. He has a very strong base and his strength has never been cause for worry, but today he moved a lot better.Consider me a big fan of Bossier City (LA) Parkway QB Justin Rogers. He threw a great ball whether he was throwing with or against the wind. He put the ball in some tight spaces and he was technically sound. He was my QB MVP. Now I say that and will quickly follow by saying Grant Gunnell more than held his own. He would have been my No. 2 QB performer on the day.2019 WR Kameron Brown continues to make the hard look easy. He is effortless out there and has some great body control. He's my favorite 2019 WR in Texas.I came away very impressed with the LBs today Arkansas commit Bumper Pool, Alston Orji, DaShaun White, 2019 Chance Cover, Byron Hobbs all had pretty solid days.Of course the DB group had a strong day too. It was pretty stacked with Caden Sterns, Verone McKinley, Gemon Green, German Green, Brian Williams, Jeremiah Lewis, and Jalen Catalon all had pretty strong performances. The length of the Green twins is hard to match, McKinley was in the hip pocket of receivers all day long, Lewis has a great sense of timing when he breaks on the ball, Caden Sterns covers so much ground, Brian Williams was as physical as it can get without pads, and Jalen Catalon gets up to high point the ball as well as anyone I've seen.That's all I've got. Watch out for some video interviews throughout the week.
