What a difference one year can make.
While it might seem like a blip in time in hindsight or feel like eons away in the moment, lots can happen in the period of 12 months, and that will be evident tonight when No. 16 SMU travels to Houston.
Undefeated through seven games, the Mustangs’ high-scoring offense will be on display against a Cougars’ squad simply trying to stay afloat with a 3-4 record.
Regardless of tonight’s outcome, however, there are multiple players on each roster who were groomed under the Lone Star State’s Friday Night Lights.
A total of 40 true freshmen will suit up for tonight’s primetime contest on national television after spending last year playing for Texas high school programs. Some are from small schools and others from large programs, but each knows what a difference one year can make.
SMU
Austin Dennis, K, Boerne Geneva
Alex Sickafoose, DL, Katy St. John
Carson Welch, TE, Mansfield The Oakridge
Sam Burns, OL, Dallas Parish
Daniel Steckler, LB, Dallas Parish
Carter Foster, OL, Fort Worth All Saints
Reid Stacy, LB, Frisco Trinity
Tai Brooks, OL, Allen
Eli Furgal, LB, Southlake Carroll
Ben Furgal, LB, Southlake Carroll
Garrett Madison, LB, Katy
Devan Reck-Irvin, WR, Amarillo Tascosa
Walker French, WR, Highland Park
Luke Evans, LB, Liberty
Beau Barker, WR, Amarillo
Ben Palmer, WR, Dallas Lakehill
Tyler Lavine, RB, Cedar Park Army Prep
Ulysses Bentley IV, Houston C.E. King
TJ McDaniel, RB, Southlake Carroll
Chace Cromartie, S, Cibolo Steele
Keke Burns, WR, Pittsburgh
Calvin Wiggins, WR, Trophy Club Byron Nelson
Roderick Roberson Jr., S, Royse City
Rashee Rice, WR, North Richland Hills Richland
Terrance Gipson, QB, Houston Westfield
HOUSTON
Logan
Holgorsen, QB, Houston University
Ke’Andre Street, WR, Tyler John Tyler
Ronald Nunnery, S, Pearland Shadow Creek
Deondre Dansby, CB, Dallas South Oak Cliff
James Fullbright III, RB, Waco Midway
Dylan Dixon, CB, Houston St. Thomas
Davis Beal, LS, Austin Vandergrift
Ryan Hanson, P, Taylor
Hakeem Ajijolaiya, DL, Katy Tompkins
Kyle Ramsey, K, Missouri City Ridge Point
Ken Savanah, LB, Stafford
Cam’Ron Johnson, OL, Houston Shadow Creek
Patrick Paul, OL, Houston Jersey Village
Chayse Todd, OL, Crosby
Nelson Ceaser, DL, Missouri City Ridge Point
