2012 Prospects Everywhere at State 7-on-7

The class of 2012 was well represented at last weekends 7-on-7 state championships on the campus of Texas A&M. Included were some famous sons, more Gilmer playmakers, a Texas A&M commitment, a Newton sleeper and prospects on the sidelines just supporting their team.

-The first player seen upon walking into intramural fields was Texas A&M commit Dennis Smith (Wimberley, Texas). Smith is looking much stronger than a year ago this time and his body is near perfectly proportioned at 6-foot, 220-pounds. He said he ran a 4.6-forty yard dash at Texas A&M summer camp and reports a 335-pound bench press, 405-pound squat and 260-pound power clean. Smith also mentioned that he just wants to get on the field whether it be at running back or linebacker or safety. It will not be a surprise for Smith to end up on the defensive side of the ball at outside linebacker. He will likely be 6-foot, 235-240-pounds a year into college.

-The son of former Texas A&M and Houston Oilers star Ray Childress was an early attention grabber on Thursday. Ford Childress (Houston, Texas/Kinkaid). The near 6-foot-5, 200-pound right-handed signal caller played tight end as a sophomore, but certainly looked the part scanning the field and delivering impressive throws throughout the day for a quarterback that doesn't have the experience of others. He displayed quality arm strength to the sidelines when he balanced up and stepped into throws. He also showed some impressive touch around the goal line and on third and shorts. He has already camped at Texas A&M and plans to attend camps at Houston, TCU and SMU. According to a member of the Kinkaid coaching staff, Houston is showing serious interest already.

-One of the top handful of 2012 prospects on hand in College Station was Justin Thomas (Orange, Texas/West Orange-Stark). The 5-foot-9 (a shade under), 160-pound jet with a reported 4.49-forty yard dash enjoyed success on the offensive and defensive side of the ball as he does on Friday nights in the Golden Triangle. Thomas has attended camps at Texas, Oklahoma, TCU and Texas Tech with the Red Raiders having already extended a verbal offer. Thomas is being recruited as a corner by the majority of programs and he says he has no problems playing on the defensive side of the ball. Thomas has played in the shadow of Oklahoma signees Trey Franks and James Haynes the last two seasons. Expect Thomas to become one of the top two-way players in the state in 2010.

-Quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe (Houston, Texas/Second Baptist) has already his fair share of media attention despite entering the 2010 season without varsity experience as a signal caller. His reputation as a thrower of the football has carried over to summer camps with impressive showings at Baylor, Texas and Texas A&M camps with the Bears having extended a verbal offer. Up next for the 6-foot-4, 198-pound right-hander is a July 18 trip to LSU. According to a member of the Second Baptist coaching staff, Briscoe may be more accurate at the same age than Texas freshman Connor Wood, but doesn't possess the same agility and athletic ability (very few pro-style QB's are as athletic as Wood). Briscoe displayed his reputation as an accurate quarterback on Thursday. His accuracy is indeed impressive considering his elbow is a little low and he doesn't get on top of the ball as well one would like. He showed the arm strength to hit closing windows in the intermediate passing game on several occasions.

-What more can be said about the Gimer Buckeyes. Head coach Jeff Traylor is one of the very best in the state having turned down 5A job offers every year to stay at his alma mater. He continues to have one of the top staffs in the state as well led by his brother Kurt Traylor. On the field, Gilmer has won a pair of 3A state titles with several more deep playoff runs. After winning the state title in 2009 and losing a number of talented players to FBS programs, the thought was that 2010 would be a rebuilding year for the Buckeyes. While it could still be with inexperience, but talent, at quarterback, the skill positions are loaded with playmakers on both sides of the ball as usual led by a strong 2012 class. Leading the way is slot receiver/defensive back Darrion Pollard (Gilmer, Texas). The 5-foot-9, 170-pound darting quick prospect made seemingly every big play on offense over a two day period of time. He made one of the highlight catches of the entire event with a leaping, one-handed grab over a defender. His ability to seperate out of his breaks was equally impressive.

On the defensive side of the ball, 2012 corner Traylon Webb (Gilmer, Texas) and 2013 corner Trey Washington (Gilmer, Texas) were impressive looking future stars. Webb, the younger brother of former Gilmer and Missouri freshman Braylon Webb, has similar size to his brother at near 6-foot-2 on a long armed frame. Washington is also 6-foot-2 and is a likely sophomore starter for Coach Traylor and staff. He is the cousin of former Gilmer and Oklahoma receiver Manuel Johnson.

-Newton High, tucked deep in East Texas on the Louisiana border has produced a number of college prospects over the years as well as winning a 2A state title or two. The 2012 class features athlete Brent Spikes (Newton, Texas). The 6-foot, 185-pound versatile prospect was the 10-2A Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore after recording 123 tackles in 14 games. On a Friday night, one can see him line up at running back as well, which is the position he worked out at June 13 at Texas camp. Spikes showed his speed all day winning the fastest man at the camp full of speedy prospects in his class. He reports a best 40-yard dash time of 4.37 and 22.0 200-meter time (hand-timed). Texas is his childhood favorite, but he would also like to hear from Florida and Alabama.

-One of the most impressive prospects on the hoof was on the sidelines Thursday. Sophomore (2013) defensive tackle Jake Rawlerson (Celina, Texas) stood above the rest. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound long armed and well defined prospect with 5.08-forty yard dash speed has camped at Oklahoma State (twice), TCU and Texas A&M (last Friday).

-Junior quarterback Dane Evans (Sanger, Texas) has camped at Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Rice, Houston and SMU this summer. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Evans has lived in Texas and Oklahoma throughout his youth.

-Offensive tackle Mac Long (Edna, Texas) was another prospect that cheered on his team from the sidelines. The 6-foot-4, 277-pound guard prospect was one of a handful of 2012 prospect in College Station with verbal offers. Texas Tech and Houston have extended verbal offers with Baylor taking a serious look. He has camped at Texas Tech, Houston, Baylor, SMU and Texas A&M this summer.

-Talented 2012 corner prospect Jarrett Irving (Spring, Texas/DeKaney) looked the part of a blue chip prospect both physically and athletically. At 5-foot-10 and 178 solid, well proportioned pounds, Irving has grabbed the attention of every FBS program that stopped by the 5A school in the spring to take a look at star 2012 running back Trey Williams (Spring, Texas/DeKaney). He lists LSU, Texas Tech and Texas A&M as schools of interest early on.

-Remember the name Raashaan Reason (Mesquite, Texas/West Mesquite) in the class of 2013. The 5-foot-9, 165-pound running back/athlete will be a another weapon for the already uber talented West Mesquite offensive in 2010. He was a key member of the varsity track team as a freshman with a 10.8-split in the 4x100-relay team, a 22'6" long jump and a 6'2" high jump. West Mesquite head coach Mike Overton commented that Reason is the fastest player in the program.

-Safety David Busby (Coppell, Texas) will camp at LSU this week. Busy is 5-foot-10, 175-pounds and was a starter in the Cowboys secondary as a sophomore. Expect the junior to receive early offers playing next to senior corner Bennett Okotcha (Coppell, Texas).