Six Under-the-Radar Gems: Class of ’22

Chris Hunt

November 30, 2021 @ 08:03 AM

As the Texas high school season gets deeper into the playoffs, I'm reminded of just how many super talented players there are here in the Lone Star State. Everybody knows about the big names, but I make it a priority to shine a light on some players you may not know so much about. Here are six outstanding prospects that could become impact players at the next level. CB Leonard Davis - 6'2" 195 / Monahans HS -- @Leonard_o8 Leonard is an all-around playmaker, as he lined up at WR and CB for Monahans. His college future is at CB, where he broke up 11 passes and picked off 7 this season. He's got a knack for making big plays in the biggest moments, and once you put on the film, you'll see how special of an athlete this young man truly is. He holds an offer from D3 powerhouse Mount Union. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13041112/61a52ea0d225a10a449f3759">Leo Davis highlights - Hudl</a>   G Daymeonn Vercher - 6'3" 320 / United South HS -- @DaymeonnV Daymeonn entered his Senior season as a Preseason All-State honoree, and helped pave the way for a United South team that went 9-4 and into the third round of the playoffs. When he pulls and gets out in space, it's game over. He's always going to find someone to hit. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13505162/60837acc0dc0001224ecf5ee">Daymeonn Vercher highlights - Hudl</a>   LB Ronald Ross - 6'1" 220 / Lubbock Estacado HS -- @ronald2ross Ronald is one of the most under-recruited LBs in the state. He finished this season with 101 Tackles, 30 TFL, and 11 Sacks. He's a well-built linebacker, who is best suited for play on the inside. He can meet linemen head-on or beat them to a spot, and leverage his gap with above-average strength. Steps into his hole and fires into the backfield, finishing with a wrap-up tackle. He's a Team Captain who plays his best when the lights are the brightest. He holds a D3 offer from Howard Payne. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11658711/613cb458f569cc051806f8ff">Ronald Ross Senior highlights - Hudl</a>   ATH DeVonte Robertson - 6'3" 205 / Cleveland HS -- @Vontee2022 DeVonte can line up anywhere on the football field. It's this position versatility that will ensure he ends up with a good program in a few months' time. Offensively, he's got a knack for finding a crease and making a big play, but it's on the defensive side where I think he will find his college home. At 6'3" 205, with his 78" wing span, he figures to develop into a Strong Safety at the next level. When you put his film on, you see that he's not afraid to come downhill and deliver a big hit. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12952343/612a92dd041ded0b44eefd29">DeVonte Robertson Senior highlights - Hudl</a>   RB Jaquell Bonner - 6'0" 190 / Wheatley HS -- @BonnerJaquell Jaquell finished the season with 1,672 yards and 16 TDs, with 4 of those TDs coming on Kick Returns. He doesn't have 4.4 speed, but what he does extremely well is run with great contact balance, change of direction, and he takes good angles. Wheatley HS has not had a runner put up the kind of numbers Jaquell did in quite some time, and I have a feeling he's got some great things ahead of him. He's currently getting some D3 interest. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11821334/615bad374df6110228f63340">Different - Jaquell Bonner Senior highlights - Hudl</a>   DT Taurean Crawford - 6'2" 290 / Elkins HS -- @CrawfordTaurean Taurean is a phenomenal talent on the interior, as he finished the season with 20 TFL, 10 QB Hurries, and 5.5 Sacks. He's very explosive as an inside pass rusher, and stout against the run. He beats offensive linemen with brute strength, or with a nasty swim move he's perfected. Elkins will certainly miss having this young man in the middle next season, and I project Taurean as either a 3-tech in a 4-3, or as a 5-technique in a 3-4. He holds a D3 offer from Howard Payne. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11486725/619168b75b3e850a6c3c0ea6">Taurean Crawford Senior highlights - Hudl</a>