After helping lead Manvel to the Texas 5A Division I State Quaterfinal, rising senior Jalen Preston is ready to show out in his final season with the eyes of the entire nation upon him.
The 6-2, 200 pound wideout is currently ranked as the sixth-best player in his position and is attracting huge attention from both schools in Texas and across the country. This is no surprise to those that see Preston on a weekly basis, but for those who have not, this rare combination of size, speed, and strength has the likes of Texas A&M, LSU, and Oregon all chopping at the bit for this Class of 2018 star’s signature.
This past season, Preston caught 33 passes, with almost a third of those resulting in touchdowns and added 660-plus yards to his account for the Mavericks. With a host of talented players offensively, Preston managed to stand out, especially in the kick returning game where he was a threat on every kick essentially.
From watching this player in person and on film, one can tell he relishes the chance to go against the opponent’s best defensive back and usually comes out on top. For a six-foot frame to possess the speed that this four-star recruit has, the attention will always be there. What helps Preston stand out is the assurance of his hands and the underrated precision of his route running. These attributes mixed with the fact that he is arguably one of the nation’s best off the line of scrimmage, it is no wonder Preston provided the production he had this season.
With Texas A&M said to be the front runner for Preston, I see a viable fit within the system that the Aggies will run in the years to come. Losing a host of receivers this past year, and with the likelihood of Christian Kirk leaving early for the NFL Draft after next season, Preston could essentially see immediate action at Kyle Field in the maroon and white.
The likes of LSU, Oregon, TCU and even Baylor will not go down without a fight, however, as they see Preston as a premiere target for their offenses, who lose key parts in their respective receiving cores as well.
It will be interesting to see how the Manvel star’s recruiting process plays out, but one thing is for certain: Jalen Preston possesses all the tools to succeed at the next level and perhaps far beyond that.
