Around Texas: A round-up of recruiting news in the Lone-star State
The first month of the season is coming to an end, and there are new names, new offers, and new commitments around the state of Texas. It’s time to check out the who, what, and where of recruiting in the Lone Star State.
Around Texas: A round-up of recruiting news in the Lone Star State
With summer now in full swing, the recruiting trail continues to heat up as recruits are trimming their lists, taking visits and making decisions about their futures. Jason Howell runs down all the latest commitments, under-the-radar prospects and more.
Thoughts from Thursday
FRIDAY MORNING UPDATE: I just talked to Skyline head coach Derrick Roberson and he said Kane Bradford is 6-5, and about 280. My jaw hit the floor. Bradford looks lean with long arms so I asked him where all that weight was. Coach Rob said that he is rock solid and looks the same when his pads are off as he does with them on. This guy passes the eyeball test and is an athletic big man. Once he learns the game I could see things taking off for him. Right now he's a project but he has potential to be a top 50 or higher recruit when it's all done******Tonight I saw two of the top up and coming playmakers in Texas in 2019 Velton Gardner and 2020 EJ Smith Let's start with EJ. He played RB, WR, CB, S, KR, PR tonight and he had 2 rushing TDs and the game sealing INT. We have him rated as an ATH and I think he'll end up being recruited more as a WR than an RB. He holds an offer from SMU. He's keeping his options open early. There is a tie to A&M with his sister in College Station. He said he has not heard much from the Aggies yet, but he liked what he saw when they took his sister up to school.****Gardner stuck at QB for Skyline. He's a threat to throw, but his wheels are what makes him special. He is small but he has a stout build and he is quick. Tonight he had back to back TD runs of 55 and 47 yards. Texas Tech, Kansas State, and Syracuse ar among those who have offered early.*****I thought LB Kamryn Farrar had a strong night. He's a bit on the small side but he's a S/LB hybrid type. He had to of had double digit tackles and as someone on the sideline put it "he'll knock the meat out of your taco" *****Skyline also had a couple of intriguing 2019 DLs. Kane Bradford is listed as a 6-6, 270 DT. I don't see 270, more like 240, but he has a long wingspan, a good get off and flexibility. He's raw and in his first year of football. He played DE tonight and he'll attract attention this fall. DT VonKeith Smith also looks the part at 6-3, 290. Smith spent his night at DT
TexAgs Spring Tour: Dallas Carter, Cedar Hill, Dallas Lincoln, and Dallas Skyline
The day started with a stop by Dallas Carter today. The headliner of the Cowboys prospect list is 2018 LSU commit Jarell Cherry. Texas A&M stopped through yesterday, but Cherry is not about wasting anyone's time and he is locked in on LSU. The Aggies were one of his final three and there were a lot of people close to him who thought the Aggies would be the choice, but Coach Orgeron's efforts put LSU over the top for the defender. If there is another guy the Aggies might pursue in the 2018 class it is WR Cameron Macon (6-2, 170). He is turning heads this spring on the track in the 110 and 300 hurdles (14.7 and 39.8) and was a guy the Cowboys liked in jumpball type situations last fall. IMO he's a long shot for an offer right now, but he is a guy to watch down the line.2019 OL Sebastian Blunt (6-4, 285) is another guy to watch. He has played OT and OG but projects more as an OG. He's also smart, I heard him announced over the intercom as a member of the A honor roll this morning with a 94.6 average. When I asked about schools he politely said, "I'm really not that worried about that, I'm focused on working on my grades." He's a guy who passes the eyeball test with long arms and a solid base, and he's also a guy who produces on the field. He's a state top 100 type prospect.Down in the 2020 class a couple of cousins lead the way. DT Branard Wright is a guy I've been touting since I first laid eyes on him. He's in the TexAgs 2020 Texas list. Then there is LB DaShun Sparks (6-1, 195) who played his way up to varsity last fall and earned HM all-district honors. https://twitter.com/jason_howell/status/857240120310804481***********Next up was a stop by Cedar Hill. Baylor commit Josh Fleeks leads the 2018 class with DL Shabazz Dotson, OL Parker Cupp, and S Jamarceon Jackson also drawing considerable attention.As for the Aggies, keep an eye on 2020. OL Courtland Ford (6-6, 295) is the next big big prospect to come out of the program, and is he ever one to watch. Barring something crazy he will start for the Horns in the fall. He is absolutely huge and he has a bounce in his step. Look for him to be a national prospect.https://twitter.com/Jason_Howell/status/857298374088957952The 2020 class also includes 6-7, 300-pound Jermarques Bailey. He's more of a raw prospect than Ford at this time, but good night he and Ford are as big as any OL I can remember coming out of Cedar Hill.Staying on the OL Steve Carter is a good looking OL prospect at 6-3 and 280.********After lunch I stopped by Dallas Lincoln. Coach Moorehead was by the school this morning and one guy he snuck a peak at was 2020 WR Jarrion Patton (5-10, 165). Patton has the look and temperament of a young Nick Harvey, and Texas A&M is the school he grew up cheering. He's also very fast. He times in the 10.7-10.8s in the 100m and has a split in the low 10s in the 4x100.Texas Tech and Oklahoma State have also come by to sneak a peek.https://twitter.com/Jason_Howell/status/857391235891384320*******Another potential A&M target is 2019 DE/TE Jaylen Thomas (6-1, 245) and runs in the 4.7-4.8 range. He's an h-back type prospect with big, soft hands.Other prospects of note include 2018 S Dewaylon Jones (6-0, 190), WR Keiontay Coleman (6-1, 180), and LB Dennis Johnson (6-1, 180, area 100m champ).*******The last stop of the day was at Dallas Skyline. The Aggies also stopped through today.The big target right now is 2019 ATH Velton Gardner. He already has offers from UNT, Bowling Green, and ULL, but he's a legit power 5 prospect/Texas Top 100 guy. Nebraska and Texas Tech are already showing interest in the shifty QB who is drawing attention at slot.Staying in the 2019 class LB Kamryn Farrar (6-0, 185) is already starting to turn some heads. He is very strong in coverage and recently lost a few pounds due to track season. He's kind of in that DaShaun White mold of LB. Bowling Green has shown the most interest. Mizzou is also watching.I think both Gardner and Farrar could see a good look from the Aggies before it is all said and done.Also keep an eye on 2019 WR Keyshawn Moore (5-11, 170). He runs some crisp routes and has sure hands.The 2020 class also features quite a bit of talent. CB Milton Roundtree (6-0, 160) has been clocked with a 4.4 forty. He's still young but he has been toying with receivers in practice. Coaches think he has potential to be the next top CB to come out of Skyline.https://twitter.com/Jason_Howell/status/857363687757279232QB Landon Key (6-3, 190) may be the most intriguing prospect at Skyline. He's behind Gardner on the QB depth chart but he's being groomed to take over. In the meantime do not be surprised if he finds a spot somewhere else. He has great size and a solid build and is a basketball guy with big hands.RB Javius Williams (5-9, 170) is another that coaches feel has potential to develop into a top prospect. He is the younger brother of 2018 Skyline WR prospect Jarvis Williams (6-2, 180), who is drawing interest from UNT and Air Force.Now the guy who could really blow up is DE/LB Jeremiah Gray (6-3, 205). He moved in from Shreveport and coaches found him walking the halls. He joined the football team as a WR but before the first practice was over he was with the defense. He quickly made an impression in his first ever season playing football and he recently clocked a 4.6 forty. He definitely has the look and he has plenty of room to add weight. Bowling Green, Missouri, and North Texas are showing interest early. 2018 RB Brenden Etienne (5-11, 200) is drawing interest from UNT and Texas State