3A prospects - some legit?

[HorsePower]

More and more teams are getting small-town players. So I spent way too long looking at various websites and magazines, checking out players at schools that are 3A and smaller — some, I assume, are players, some are just prospects and nothing more … I'll only list guys who I can find some kind of comments on. Some of these might already be committed someplace, but not that I could find. Any comments added are a mixture (or direct stealing) of comments by people who reportedly have seen them play, or at least know where some of these towns are. These are 3A guys — one of these days, I'll get to other classifications.

• RB/OLB Byron Abbs • 6-0, 200, 4.55 • Bellville, Texas
Plays DE in high school, but doesn't have the size to play there in college. Likely stays on offense.

• S Norman Brady • 6-2, 205, 4.4 • Mabank, Texas
60-65 tackles last year (depending on source), 3 INTs. Some say projects to OLB.

• OT Ridge Brandyburg • 6-6, 265, 5.3 • Royal, Texas
Didn't allow a sack last year. Coach says he's still growing into his frame, and calls 6-6 height "legit."

• OT Alan Brown • 6-5, 315, 5.0 • Carthage, Texas
Huge blocker getting interest from big schools (Texas, LSU, etc.), but no reported offers yet.

• Alan Calhoun • 6-6, 310, 5.2 • Navasota, Texas
He's just huge, and plays both ways. Other than that, I couldn't find a lot about him.

• RB Willie Carter • 6-2, 200, 4.4 • Crockett, Texas
Big back ran for almost 800 yards and 16 TDs in 2006 — as a backup.

• OLB Rodney Chadwick • 6-2, 195, 4.45 • Carthage, Texas
Lean frame, should add more weight, but fast enough that he could slide back and become a big safety. One (opposing) coach was quoted as saying he could play Div. I-A at OLB, SS, FS, WR or RB.

• DB/RB Clayton Chaney • 6-0, 180, 4.3 • Bellville, Texas
Former WR has good hands, great speed.

• S Ray Daniels • 6-1, 190, 4.4 • Vernon, Texas
95 tackles as a junior, huge hitter by most accounts.

• FS/WR Corey Fuller • 6-5, 215, 4.65 • LaVernia, Texas
Offensively, Fuller uses size and jumping ability to win jump balls and shield defenders from balls — one coach in his district said Fuller reminds him of Amani Toomer. Defensively, will stay in the secondary this year but supposedly has size, speed and strength to play anywhere from FS to DE.

• WR Julian Griffin • 6-2, 195, 4.5 • Gladewater, Texas
One report called him "another (UT/Detroit Lions) Roy Williams." Another said "good prospect." Probably somewhere in between.

• OT Taylor Groves • 6-5, 265, 5.2 • Robinson, Texas
First-team all-District 17-3A in 2006 — team's best OL.

• DE Brandon Hartson • 6-3, 230, 4.75 • Fairfield, Texas
50 tackles last year anchored defense

• DE Shawn Hawkins • Longview (Spring Hill), Texas • 6-5, 225, 4.75
Father, Dana, played at Oklahoma State. Cousin TONY HAWKINS plays at SMU.

• WR Bobby Hicks • 6-1, 180, 4.35 • Dallas (Madison), Texas
He's over 6 feet and runs in the 4.3s. Someone's going to take a chance on him. Some seem to think he could use his height and speed to be an elite CB, too.

• S Courtney Houff • 6-2, 195, 4.5 • Atlanta, Texas
Also plays WR, but most seem to think he'll play defense in college.

• S Kendrick Jackson • 6-0, 190, 4.5 • Carthage, Texas
"Big hitting ballhawk" (how cliché)… one article said he reminds of a "watered-down Michael Huff."

• WR Larry Jackson • 6-4, 195, 4.55 • Palestine, Texas
Only found one write-up on the guy. Compared him to former Texas Tech star Jarrett Hicks (big, good hands, decent speed).

• DE/TE Kaeron Johnson • 6-3, 265, 4.8 • Cuero, Texas
60 tackles, second-team all-state (3A) last year

• CB Greg Jordan • 6-0, 175, 4.4 • Dallas (Madison), Texas
Didn't find much, other than someone who wrote that teams always throw away from this guy because he has "great instincts, jump and closing speed."

• OT Thomas Karlson • 6-5, 280, 5.3 • Bandera, Texas
Supposed to be strong and mobile and have very long arms for his frame.

• DT William Lachowsky • 6-3, 280, 4.9 • Pleasant Grove, Texas
Also plays OL. Found one story that sounds like it was written by someone who sees this team regularly, that said he should grow several more inches. Maybe it was written by his mom.

• OL Desmond Lane • 6-6, 365, 5.2 • Dallas (Roosevelt), Texas
Look back at his size. That's big. Quick for a guy that size, too. Some think there might be academic issues.

• OL/DL Mark Marrero • 6-3, 315, 5.2 • Mount Vernon, Texas
All-district on offense and defense in 2006.

• QB/DB Chris Mass • 6-4, 205, 4.6 • Tyler (Chapel Hill), Texas
Threw for 1,100 yards, 11 TDs, 7 INTs; also had 7 INTs on defense. Supposed to be outrageously athletic.

• CB Xavier McCarty • 5-10, 180, 4.4 • Hirschi, Texas
Not sure what kind of system they run there, but depending on what report you read, he had between 140 and 150 tackles (and 3 INTs) as a junior.

• QB Zach McFarlin • 6-1, 175, 4.45 • Gainesville, Texas
Great athlete, projects at other (WR?) positions

• RB Tristan Meyer • 6-1, 195, 4.45 • Taylor, Texas
Very strong (squats over 400, benches nearly 300). Running game has been based on power, with few chances to show breakaway speed.

• DE Keavon Milton • 6-4, 240, 5.0 • Canton, Texas
Some seem to think he'll continue to fill out, where his speed won't be as much of an issue.

• OT/DE Cliff Mitchell • 6-5, 255, 4.9 • Jasper, Texas
Coaches and journalists seem to agree his future includes more size, and a move inside to DT or OG.

• LB Dylan Mobley • 6-3, 230, 4.7 • Glen Rose, Texas
Called the "heart and soul" of the defense — more of a hitter than a speed guy. Most pundits seem to think he projects inside.

• DE Bryant Plemons • 6-4, 240, 4.65 • Huntington, Texas
111 tackles as a junior … from a defensive end? Coach said he's "sometimes unblockable" — nice trait to have in a DE.

• DE Marlow Poitier • 6-4, 235, 4.7 • Liberty Hill, Texas
Tough, physical player. Fights off bigger blockers pretty frequently, according to what I've read. Someone compared him to Tommy Blake of TCU.

• WR Chris Pritchard • 6-5, 215, 4.5 • Castleberry, Texas
They don't seem to throw the ball a lot, but he's big and fast. Worth a look?

• OL/DL Adam Robinson • 6-6, 290, 5.4 • Cooper, Texas
Can play both sides of the ball. Most seem to think he projects best as a pocket-collapsing DT.

• DE Andy Smith • 6-4, 240, 4.7 • Bandera, Texas
Very quick for his size, coach touts "non-stop motor" and pass rush skills.

• FS/RB Ketarus Stanton • 6-2, 210, 4.5 • Diboll, Texas
Ran for 1,100-plus yards and caught for 423 more yards last year.

• LB Alonzo Whaley • 6-1, 215, 4.6 • Madisonville, Texas
Has offers already from Oklahoma State and LaTech … standout RB during sophomore year (more than 2,000 rushing yards, 27 TDs).

• OL Billy Wright • 6-5, 280, 5.1 • Sanger, Texas
Tall and fairly mobile, some think he'll add a lot of weight, getting into the 300-320 range.

[Thumper]

OK, first of all, you really do have too much time on your hands. However, off your list (thanks for putting that together!), here's my 3A wish list:

Byron Abbs - With that name, he's got to be a finely conditioned athlete.

Alan Brown - not to quote BUS or anything, but you can't have enough big guys.

Alan Calhoun - see previous comment.

Willie Carter - 16 TDs as a backup? Sounds like one of those "nose for the end zone" guys.

Clayton Chaney - anyone who runs a 4.3 gets my vote, and the last guy we got from Bellville (Emmanuel Sanders) seems to have panned out pretty nicely.

Corey Fuller - huge WR or safety? Absolutely. There's not a team in the country that wouldn't take a Toomer clone, although I'd be sorely tempted to see what he could do as a pass-rushing OLB.

Shawn Hawkins - Tony has turned out to be a nice LB. Let's tap that bloodline again.

Bobby Hicks - see my rule (Chaney) about anyone running in the 4.3s.

Kaeron Johnson - a 260-pound DE? How big will he get if we can put him on the Justin Rogers diet?

Desmond Lane - if you're big enough to block out the sun, I'm guessing you can block out a DE.

Chris Mass - there's a lot of pub out there on this guy. Sounds like a stud. Wonder how his arm is, or if he'd move to defense? (Another guy who sounds like a nice OLB in the making.)

Keavon Milton - by "continue to fill out" do you mean "and move inside to DT"? Need more bodies in there, so put him on the wish list.

Bryant Plemons - defensive line needs bolstering, and he seems to have good size and speed.

Marlowe Poitier - as much as I hate the Frogs, a Blake clone would look even better in red and blue.

Adam Robinson - have we EVER had a 6-6 DT?

Andy Smith - sounds like Justin Rogers already.

[Thumper]

OK, Fuller just committed!

One down, several more to go. Keep it up, coaches!

[BleedingRed+Blue]

First of all, thanks to HorsePower - that's a lot of data you shared. Looks like some interesting guys (at least on paper), too.

Linemen are critical this year, with Peveto and Ben Poynter graduating.

Wonder if Chaney can play WR? Sign him and Hicks and have two guys in the 4.3 range on the outside (plus Aldrick Robinson), and watch defense start cheating like crazy to compensate.

[Charlie NT73]

Take a look at Dave Campbell's Texas Football that just came out.
There is a indepth feature story about "small town" players from the
3A,2A, and 1A class of Texas HS football.
Some of the 6 man teams have a D1 recruit every now and then.
One 6 man team I saw in DCTF has a 6-5, 225lb WR/TE that some
D1 schools are looking at (forgot the name of the school).
6 man football games are alot of fun- take a game in if you can!
I got to see some of the Trinadad HS games during there state run.
Lots of big plays and fast action. The whole town shows up for the game!

[PonyKai]

Take a look at Dave Campbell's Texas Football that just came out.
There is a indepth feature story about "small town" players from the
3A,2A, and 1A class of Texas HS football.
Some of the 6 man teams have a D1 recruit every now and then.
One 6 man team I saw in DCTF has a 6-5, 225lb WR/TE that some
D1 schools are looking at (forgot the name of the school).
6 man football games are alot of fun- take a game in if you can!
I got to see some of the Trinadad HS games during there state run.
Lots of big plays and fast action. The whole town shows up for the game!

I'd like to congradulate you on the first reasonable, intelligent, non obsessive post from a UNT fan that actually contributes to a discussion. Give yourself a pat on the back, sincere congradulations.

[smu diamond m]

Take a look at Dave Campbell's Texas Football that just came out.
There is a indepth feature story about "small town" players from the
3A,2A, and 1A class of Texas HS football.
Some of the 6 man teams have a D1 recruit every now and then.
One 6 man team I saw in DCTF has a 6-5, 225lb WR/TE that some
D1 schools are looking at (forgot the name of the school).
6 man football games are alot of fun- take a game in if you can!
I got to see some of the Trinadad HS games during there state run.
Lots of big plays and fast action. The whole town shows up for the game!

I'd like to congradulate you on the first reasonable, intelligent, non obsessive post from a UNT fan that actually contributes to a discussion. Give yourself a pat on the back, sincere congradulations.

On that note, I must rag on you for the same thing I do them: It's spelled congratulations (or congratulate, depending)

[Charlie NT73]

Stlhokeyguy02
Thank you sir!
As I have posted before, I am a big college football fan. I am not
here to rant, or throw out cheap insults just to be a smart &%#$.
There are many many good college football fans that use these
"boards" to talk about their favorite teams,games,players and HSO's.
On to another subject-
Speaking of "small town" players, North Texas has picked up
commitment/pledge # 9. Caddo Mills, 2A, WR, Desmond Brigham,
6-2, 180lbs, 4.5, announced his commitment to NT yesterday.
Ranked the 15th best WR prospect in Texas, 2nd place in the
high jump (6-9) Texas State Track Championships.
Other schools of interest-Ark,Iowa St,MO

[PonyPride]

Is that a typo? 6-9 in the high jump?

[MustangIcon]

Take a look at Dave Campbell's Texas Football that just came out.
There is a indepth feature story about "small town" players from the
3A,2A, and 1A class of Texas HS football.
Some of the 6 man teams have a D1 recruit every now and then.
One 6 man team I saw in DCTF has a 6-5, 225lb WR/TE that some
D1 schools are looking at (forgot the name of the school).
6 man football games are alot of fun- take a game in if you can!
I got to see some of the Trinadad HS games during there state run.
Lots of big plays and fast action. The whole town shows up for the game!

I'd like to congradulate you on the first reasonable, intelligent, non obsessive post from a UNT fan that actually contributes to a discussion. Give yourself a pat on the back, sincere congradulations.

On that note, I must rag on you for the same thing I do them: It's spelled congratulations (or congratulate, depending)

Take your instrument and shove it you spelling nazi.

[Charlie NT73]

The bio stats for Desmond Bringham, reports that he cleared
6ft 9in on the high jump event at the state track meet, placing
second. I do not keep up with track too much so I could not
tell you if this is accurate. I just reported what the bio stated.

[mrydel]

Maybe it is a typo and they meant Broad Jump.

[Charlie NT73]

it is still a big jump for a HS junior!

[Grider]

They may need to adjust that bio

http://www.uil.utexas.edu/trackresults/

According to this he was third with a 6'5"
in 2006 he was second with 6'6"

http://www.uil.utexas.edu/athletics/archives/track_field/05_06/index.htm

Regardless, still pretty impressive. It amazes me that these kids can clear something with their whole body that is taller than they are.

[mrydel]

They may need to adjust that bio

http://www.uil.utexas.edu/trackresults/

According to this he was third with a 6'5"
in 2006 he was second with 6'6"

http://www.uil.utexas.edu/athletics/archives/track_field/05_06/index.htm

Regardless, still pretty impressive. It amazes me that these kids can clear something with their whole body that is taller than they are.

I can clear a plate that is stacked with food higher than I am.