Season Recap + Prospects to Know: Braswell Bengals
It was a disappointing 2022 campaign for the Bengals, who play in a very tough 6A district headlined by Denton Guyer and Prosper. The program began fairly recently, in 2016, and they are working towards building an elite program that…
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Continue ReadingIt was a disappointing 2022 campaign for the Bengals, who play in a very tough 6A district headlined by Denton Guyer and Prosper. The program began fairly recently, in 2016, and they are working towards building an elite program that can compete with DFW’s best. This offseason, they look to the future – one that includes an enormous amount of promise with a talented group of underclassmen who are primed and ready to take the team to the postseason for the first time since 2019.
In this article, we will take a look at a handful of prospects to watch for in the coming years, including sophomore MLB Thomas Battle, a physical, downhill linebacker that will be a foundational piece for the Bengals’ defense the next two seasons. Also featured is a major sleeper 6’3″ 220 senior outside linebacker who has yet to see his first offer.
OLB Brandon McGruder – 6’3″ 220 / @_mcgrud3r (Senior – Class of ’23)
Bursting with raw talent, the 220-pounder clocks a blistering 4.48 in the 40-yard dash and an equally impressive 10.9 in the 100m.
Lines up at defensive end, but projects as a 4-3 outside backer at the next level. Prototypical size and frame for the position, fluid hips, and an elite explosion at the snap make McGruder a heavy sleeper in the state. His long arms allow him to create separation at the snap and present a challenge for offensive tackles in his pass rush. Versus the run, he more than holds his own and is able to consistently get into the backfield to make big plays. Major sleeper in the DFW metroplex.
Currently has no offers.
MLB Thomas Battle – 5’10” 200 / @ThomasBattle00 (Class of ’25)
An undersized linebacker prospect, Battle is a spark plug in the middle of the Bengals’ defense. He flies around the field with above average sideline-to-sideline speed and fills gaps with authority in the run game. Size will be a question mark for college programs, but he should work his way onto the recruiting boards of smaller schools as his prep career comes to a close.
Currently has no offers.
FS Dylan Scott – 6’0″ 180 / @Dy1anScott (Class of ’24)
Scott is a true center-fielder at the free safety position who does a great job of reading and anticipating, which allows him to jump routes and make plays on the football. On tape, he doesn’t take false steps and is always around the action. Against the run, he does a nice job, but I would like to see a little more closing speed when coming downhill. Could work his way into a Division 2 offer with a monster senior season.
Currently has no offers.