With the season rapidly approaching, everyone is going to be looking for the next crop of future collegiate stars on the high school gridiron this fall. This spring I was fortunate enough to be able to get out to different camps to see several of these players up close and I was able to watch film before compiling my personal rankings. Here are my top 50 2017 Texas recruits as they head into their senior seasons.
1. Baron Browning, LB (Kennedale)
They simply don’t make them like this very often. At 6’3, 230 pounds, Browning ran in the 4.5 range during the testing portion of The Opening out in Oregon and he wasn’t satisfied. Browning is a freak of an athlete with as much upside as any player in this class and it’s going to be interesting to see how he is deployed at the next level, as he could project to several positions.
2. Marvin Wilson, DT (Bellaire Episcopal)
When you draw up the way you want a defensive tackle to look, they come out looking like Marvin Wilson. Wilson is a power rusher who absolutely bullies the competition put in front of him and that translated from the field to every camp he attended this spring. When it comes to defensive tackles for this recruiting class, Wilson is elite, and what stands out to me is how eager he is to learn and take coaching so he can continue to get better.
3. Jeffrey Okudah, CB/S (South Grand Prairie)
The top defensive back in the state regardless of position and is arguably the best in the country. Okudah is versatile and he does everything at a high level to the point that he could probably project to any of the five positions in the secondary.
4. Walker Little, OT (Bellaire Episcopal)
Little is a future franchise left tackle. He possesses long arms, good feet, and gets nasty when he has to. Little made his case in Oregon that he is one of the best offensive lineman in the entire country.
5. JK Dobbins, RB (La Grange)
Dobbins won me over with his junior tape and then solidified my thoughts by taking home the Nike Rating Championship at The Opening. He has a chance to be a great one at the collegiate level.
6. Lagaryonn Carson, DE (Liberty Eylau)
Carson is a stat sheet stuffer, who is still far from a complete product. When you take a look at his numbers and realize he is only going to get better it’s frightening.
7. Austin Deculus, OT (Cy-Fair)
Deculus is a mountain of a man who is absolute mauler in the run game. He is going to fit right in with what LSU does in Baton Rouge.
8. Anthony Hines III, LB (Plano East)
Hines is a rare breed of inside linebacker that has been a known recruiting commodity since he was an underclassman. He currently holds close to 90 FBS offers.
9. Sam Ehlinger, QB (Austin Westlake)
Ehlinger was the heart and soul of a team that came up just short of a state title in overtime against North Shore in 2015. He piled up 70 touchdowns combined through the air and on the ground.
10. Shawn Robinson, QB (Denton Guyer)
Robinson might be the most physically gifted quarterback in the entire country. He has elite speed and great arm talent, but needs a bounce back year after 2015.
11. Jack Anderson, OG (Frisco)
The Texas Tech legacy has nastiness and competitiveness in spades. He’s the centerpiece of a very nice OL haul for Tech this cycle.
12. Brock Wright, TE (Cy-Fair)
Wright is a two way tight end that will be an asset as an in-line blocker as well as a flexed out receiver. He’s exactly what the Fighting Irish desire at the position and should be a great fit.
13. Omar Manning , WR (Lancaster)
Manning is a big, physical wide receiver that has some freakish potential. There may not be a more coveted wide receiver in the state this cycle.
14. Kary Vincent Jr., CB (Port Arthur Memorial)
Vincent possesses insane athleticism for the cornerback position and cemented that notion by taking home the state title in the 200 meters.
15. Taquon Graham, DE (Temple)
The disruptive force from Temple has recently bulked up to 262 pounds and says he has kept his athleticism. It won’t be fun trying to block him this season.
16. Tyrese Robinson, OG (McKinney Boyd)
Robinson showed this spring that he may have the chops and the feet to stick at tackle at the collegiate level. He’s an intriguing prospect with a bright future.
17. Toneil Carter, RB (Langham Creek)
Carter is a violent, downhill runner who doesn’t shy away from contact.He needs to regain his sophomore year form, but he’s still one of the best backs in the state.
18. K’Lavon Chaisson, OLB (Galena Park North Shore)
Chaisson was the best player on the field during the state title game against Austin Westlake and he took home MVP honors that night to prove it.
19. Tylan Wallace, WR (South Hills)
Wallace is as dangerous as any player in the state when the ball is in his hand. He and his twin brother Tracin make up a dynamic duo that is heading to Oklahoma State.
20. Chevin Calloway, CB (Bishop Dunne)
While he isn’t as athletic as Vincent, the Hawkeye commit Chevin Calloway is no consolation prize. He’s a corner who is not afraid to get physical with you in coverage or lay the wood in run support.
