Underclassmen to Watch: 2024 and 2025

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WR Jayson Williams - 5'8" 150 - Emerson HS / @XLV_Jayson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don't let his size dissuade you. Williams makes DBs look silly on Friday nights. He's a game-changing slot receiver who can burn corners on go balls and take screens 70 yards to the house. Since you don't see a ton of press man in high school, there's not a lot of film on him beating that type of coverage, but I sure think it would be fun to watch Jayson line up against some of the best cornerbacks in the state. He's that talented.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If he can put on 20 pounds over the next year and a half, could find himself with some FBS offers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>EDGE Robert Jones - 6'2" 225 - Houston Lamar HS / @JiggyJones_6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Junior Stats (7 games): 23 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 sacks </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Jiggy" is a junior defensive end who excels when one-on-one with offensive tackles in space. He's very active with his hands and, as a result, linemen have a hard time getting their hands on him. Does a masterful job of getting tackles to overextend and, once they do, rips inside to get to the quarterback. Will fit very nicely in a scheme that allows him to stand up and rush off the edge as a 'Jack' linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RB [player_tooltip player_id='1421316' first='Brandon' last='Thomas'] - 5'9" 170 - Houston Lamar HS / @BJThomas3_</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thomas is a shifty sophomore back who will be starring in the Texans' backfield for another two seasons. He flashes great one-cut ability to make the first defender miss at the line of scrimmage and shows some nice speed in the open field. In pass protection, isn't afraid to step up and do what he has to in order to keep his quarterback clean. Needs to develop game-changing burst, but it will be fun to watch him continue to shine on Friday nights in the coming years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CB Dakories Moment - 5'11" 175 - Brewer HS / @DakoriesM</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Sophomore Stats: 40 tackles, 7 pass breakups, and 5 interceptions</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moment excels in press man coverage and is a cornerstone of the Bears' defense. He's smooth in his backpedal and fluid during his transition, can lock down his opponent's #1 wideout, and shows impressive range when roaming in space. When playing zone and his eyes are on the quarterback, he expertly reads eyes and jumps on routes to make a play on the ball. When he has to peel off of his route, isn't afraid to come downhill and make a big hit. On the radar of some Power 5 programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CB Jordan Patton - 5'9" 160 - Cypress Lakes HS / @Jpat_01</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Patton has two years of high school remaining, but you can already tell that he has the upside to become a top-notch nickel corner at the next level. He patrols the flats very well when a screen comes his way and can deliver big hits to give his team a jolt in key moments. Will need to see more of him on an island as a junior, but I like what I see out of the young sophomore. If he can bulk up a bit and show that he's solid in press coverage, can become a sought-after prospect heading into his final year of high school ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->