The anticipation for the Texas high school football playoffs is growing as we are only a few days away from the brackets being finalized. The TAPPS season, however, is almost over and its championships will take place this weekend.
In honor of that, here is a look at 10 of the state’s best private school players.
QB Grant Gunnell, Houston St. Pius X
To say Gunnell has been lighting it up on the field this season would be a drastic understatement. After all, Gunnell has put up video game numbers during his junior season. Through seven games, the junior signal-caller has passed for 3,173 yards and 43 touchdowns with just four interceptions. Gunnell is arguably the top pro-style quarterback in the state for the 2019 recruiting cycle and has already given Texas A&M a verbal pledge.
WR Jalen Curry, Houston St. Pius X
Photo courtesy Houston Chronicle
So who is catching all these passes from the aforementioned Gunnell? The answer is Curry. A talented junior, Curry has recorded 82 receptions for 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns in just seven games. Curry actually set a new state record a couple of weeks ago when he logged 26 receptions in Houston St. Pius X’s win over Concordia Lutheran. Like Gunnell, Curry is one of the state’s top 2019 recruits. He gave Florida State an early verbal commitment.
WR Jaylen Waddle, Houston Bellaire Episcopal
It’s hard to find a more electrifying player in the state than Waddle. The dynamite slot receiver is absolutely electric with the ball in his hands, making defenders miss left and right in the open field. Waddle has played everything from wide receiver to quarterback to cornerback this season and is the primary reason Houston Bellaire Episcopal in the SPC large school state championship game. He holds offers from Alabama, Florida State, Oregon, Texas and others.
WR Jaylon Robinson, Fort Worth All Saints
Photo courtesy of 247Sports
Robinson earned the nickname J-Flash this offseason thanks to his monster camp and 7v7 performances. Robinson is as shifty as they come and almost impossible to guard in 1-on-1 situations. After transferring in from Fort Worth Paschal this offseason, Robinson has taken the private school scene by storm, recording 46 receptions for 758 yards and 11 touchdowns for 8-0 Fort Worth All Saints. He is committed to Oklahoma.
TE Austin Stogner, Prestonwood Christian
Stogner missed some time due to injury this season, but the talented junior is back on the field. He is the complete package at tight end. Stogner is a great in-line blocker, and he can also be a threat in the receiving game, especially in the red zone. In the six games he has played in this season, Stogner has recorded 19 receptions for 234 yards and five touchdowns. Stogner is one of 2019’s top national recruits at tight end and is committed to Oklahoma.
DE/OLB NaNa Osafo-Mensah, Fort Worth Nolan Catholic
Nolan Catholic’s season has been a bit of a rollercoaster, but Osafo-Mensah has been a consistent force on the defensive side of the ball. Osafo-Mensah is a terror coming off the edge and consistently puts pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The 6-foot-4, 227-pounder is a highly sought after recruit in the 2019 class and holds offers from the likes of Baylor, Oklahoma, TCU, Texas A&M and USC.
CB Jeremiah Lewis, Prestonwood Christian
A Duke commit, Lewis is a playmaker on the outside. Arguably the top cover corner of the private school level, Lewis is often matched up against his opponent’s top wide receiver and is never fazed. Lewis plays with great technique, has excellent ball skills and is physical.
S Brian Williams, Bishop Dunne
Ranked as the nation’s top safety recruit in the 2019 class, Williams is an absolute ball hawk in the secondary for a talented Bishop Dunne team. Through eight games this season, Williams has recorded 40 tackles and five interceptions. With Williams on the back end, teams often avoid throwing deep. His presence alone is enough for the opposition to adjust their game plans in a major way.
ATH Marquez Beason, Bishop Dunne
Photo courtesy of 247Sports
Another talented junior player, Beason can do a little bit of everything — literally. This season, Beason has lined up at quarterback, wide receiver, running back, cornerback and has returned kicks and punts. Perhaps the most versatile private school player, Beason has racked up 1,000 total yards and made several key plays on defense. He holds offers from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Washington and others.
ATH Jarek Broussard, Bishop Lynch
Bishop Lynch has quietly put together an undefeated season thanks in large part to the efforts of Broussard. A Colorado pledge, Broussard has played running back, wide receiver and returned kicks for the Friars this season, racking up 1,112 all-purpose yards. Broussard isn’t the biggest player, but he makes up for it with his speed and quickness.
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