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Justin Warren of Tyler (Lee) has committed to Texas A&M.

He's thin (6-3, 215) but extremely fast, and most people think he still will grow quite a bit.

[This message has been edited by Recruiting Guru (edited 07-03-2002).]

By all indications, this is a terrific year for DEs in the state. UT and A&M will get theirs as always, but there should be plenty of quality DEs to go around to everybody this February.

Justin was one of the few big head-to-head battles between the Horns & Ags. But both schools are filling up their classes very quickly allowing plenty of time for Coach Bennett to work on some of these outstanding prospects.

FOX 7:

Can you give us some names of some of the top DEs that we might have a shot at? Just so we can keep an eye on them during the season? I keep reading about some tall DE at Denton Ryan - is he out of reach?

Any info you or Recruiting Guru can provide would be much appreciated.
Thanks

There are roughly 10-12 quality DEs being actively recruited right now as major prospects across the state with most being listed as Top 100 players overall in Texas by various talent evaluators.

The DE at Ryan is Jarvis Moss and he's considered among the best overall players in the state (and nation, for that matter). It seems everyone has offered him and he has openly indicated he would like to play for one of the Florida schools who all have offered (Miami, FSU, Florida) or possibly UT, A&M or Tech. He would be considered a real long shot. By the way, that Ryan team is loaded with talent including QB James Battle who is arguable the state's #1 QB in the Class of 2003 (the Class of 2004 in Texas is loaded with top notch QBs).

OK, so maybe we don't get Moss and Ryan.

Can you share the names of some DE's that are in our reach?

I just talked to one this evening who lists the Mustangs among his favoites. <A HREF="http://www.fox7.com/dynamic/text/prospects/p1057.html" TARGET=_blank>Khalid Al-Jamal</A> of Manor (6'4" 245 lbs 4. got back with me this evening and here's his updated bio:

Khalid has started every game for the Mustangs at defensive end since the beginning of his sophomore season. He started one game as an offensive tackle as a sophomore as well, but he's a pure defensive end prospect.

"The thing I like about playing defensive end is I think I'm a really good run stopper," Khalid tells Fox 7. "I don't think I'm a great pass rusher yet. I like playing the position because your not really labeled as a lineman. You kind of have free will and are more of a true athlete."

He enjoyed an outstanding junior campaign during the 2001 season. He recorded 32 unassisted and 72 total tackles for Manor. He also made 14 tackles for loss and posted six sacks with 15 QB hurries. He also collected an interception and caused three fumbles.

College coaches have certainly had no difficulty finding 3A Manor. "I had about 15 schools come see during the May evaluation period at school. Iowa State, Tech, Rice, Texas, Arkansas, Notre Dame, A&M and some others. I've also gotten handwritten letters from Notre Dame."

He also has some early frontrunners for his commitment. "My top five would be TCU, A&M, Notre Dame, Houston and SMU. Houston called me during May and talked to me about coming over to check them out this summer. SMU called me too to come up and see their campus. Their coach was real cool. I've always kind of liked TCU and they are trying to get up there this summer. I've always loved A&M. Coach Cassidy & Babers have talked to me a lot."

He attended a 3-day camp at Texas A&M (6/9-12). "It was pretty cool. I had some of the best defensive lineman in Texas with me. I talked with Tate Pittman and Chris Harrington. I learned a lot of stuff and saw how I matched up with them. I loved the facilities and of course, Kyle Field was amazing."

Khalid is excited about the Mustangs' chances on the field. "This fall, I think we'll be better. I think we'll have a lot of good leaders. We may not be as fast or as strong, but we'll have a lot of comaraderie. I feel like we'll at least get that third playoff spot. This summer, we've had nearly our entire varsity doing conditioning together."


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<A HREF="http://199.170.228.120/dynamic/story.asp?category=4" TARGET=_blank>Austin Area Prospects</A>

Khalid Al-Jamal is a terrific prospect and would be a healthy addition to the Mustangs' defensive line. Here are some of the other top defensive ends in the state this year:

Brent Powell (6-3, 230, 4.7) Flower Mound Marcus
Michael Jennings (6-5, 215, 4.7) Dallas Bryan Adams
Tim Crowder (6-4, 215, 4.6) Tyler John Tyler
Jesus Drieukwu (6-6, 240, 4.9) Bellaire (might stay inside to play DT)
Tim Washington (6-3, 250, 4.7) Fort Bend Dulles
Jason Jack (6-4, 210, 4.6) Humble
Bruce Davis (6-3, 240, 4.7) Clear Creek
Davis Perkins (6-4, 240, 4.9) Clear Lake
Alex Ruthstrom (6-3, 245, 4. Brazoswood
Xavier Lawson-Kennedy (6-3, 270, 4.9) Duncanville (could play DE or, more likely, DT)
Jarvis Moss (6-5, 225, 4.5) Denton Ryan
Bryan Kilpatrick (6-4, 220, 4.6) Fort Worth All-Saints
Walter Boye-Doe (6-2, 225, 4.6) Keller (brother is an RB at Wisconsin)
Chris Harrington (6-4, 235, 4. Houston St. Pius (plays DT in high school, expected to bump outside in college)
Stephen Halderman (6-3, 240, 4.7) Brownsboro
Dakota Caldwell (6-4, 215, 4.65) Arp (excellent prospect with the speed to drop back to LB, if needed)
Zach Hall (6-3, 250, 4.7) Irving High (maybe the Ponies have an "in" because Coach Bennett's brother coaches at Irving?)
Ramond Mayweather (6-2, 235, 4.9) Houston C.E. King
Marcus Foreman (6-3, 230, 4.7) Waco Midway
Maurice Cummings (6-4, 260, 4. Rosebud-Lott (another who could play DE or DT)
Tyler Yenzer (6-3, 220, 4. Hereford
Justin Warren (6-3, 215, 4.7) Tyler Lee (Texas A&M commitment)
Loniel Dotson (6-4, 250, 4.9) Pasadena Dobie (probably will play DT, but could play either)
Jason Barryman (6-3, 225, 4.6) Houston Kashmere
Michael Borders (6-2, 215, 4.7) Tatum (possible college LB)
Trent Allen (6-1, 210, 4.7) Longview Spring Hill
Antoine Dinka (6-4, 210, 4.7) Plano (a little raw, but great athletic tools
Brooks Scoggins (6-2, 240, 5.0) Palestine (lack of footspeed might require him to play inside)

Thanks for covering me on the list, Guru.

One name on that list that really jumps out at me that I've seen in person is Foreman. The kid can really take over a ballgame. I've been really surprised that he's not been chased as much as I would have expected. The kid can flat out play.

Any idea what schools Foreman is considering?
Can you compare him to a current college or pro player, in terms of the style he plays?

Anytime, FOX 7.

Remember, that list does not include all of the top defensive end prospects in the state, but those are many of the best. A list to get folks started.

Phil Fan -- I'm not big on comparing high school kids to pro or college guys. But I can link you to a free profile of Marcus from Billy Liucci:

<A HREF="http://new.texags.com/main/recruiting.profile.asp?rid=483" TARGET=_blank>http://new.texags.com/main/recruiting.profile.asp?rid=483</A>

Unbelievable - Billy Liucci used to work for me! I was wondering what happened to that guy.
Do you have any way to get ahold of him -- e-mail, phone, etc.? If so, can you e-mail that information to [email protected]?
Thanks!