Offer-Less Gems You NEED To Get Eyes On Today
With the offseason in full swing and players around the state hard at work improving their game, I would like to take a moment and shine a spotlight on a handful of up-and-comers you may not be familiar with. We…
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Continue ReadingWith the offseason in full swing and players around the state hard at work improving their game, I would like to take a moment and shine a spotlight on a handful of up-and-comers you may not be familiar with. We start near the state capital with a mammoth 6’5″ offensive tackle, head north to Dallas to take a look at a soon-to-be junior linebacker, and end in the Houston area, where we break down two corners with bright futures ahead of them.
OT Grayson Smith – 6’5″ 285 / @GraysonSmith_73 — Granger HS / Class of ’26
Having a stud left tackle to protect the quarterback is a necessity, especially in today’s pass-happy game. Blindside protectors are always in high demand, and Smith could develop into a top candidate as the Class of 2026 begins to come into focus. From the moment you turn on the tape, you see some nice athleticism and an ability to play in space. When facing speed rushes, many taller tackles struggle to bend at the knee, but Smith shows some promising upside there. He’s got long arms, developing foot speed, and the frame to fill out nicely. In the ground game, Smith gets nice push at the point of attack and is able to ride defensive linemen all over the field.
Having seen him up close in action last season, I can tell you that he certainly looks the part. Once he develops an elite kick slide and learns how to get more depth in his pass sets, he will find himself pinned on recruiting boards around the state. Make the trip to the small town about 45 minutes north of Austin in 2023.
LB Jacoven Julian – 6’2″ 200 / @JacovenJulian — Byron Nelson HS / Class of ’25
An uber-athletic linebacker set to turn some heads this fall, Julian is developing into a top tier seek-and-destroy ‘backer. He turns on the jets when he’s patrolling sideline-to-sideline and covers a lot of ground, but his calling card is his power and hitting ability. He’s a reliable open-field tackler who will flash some violence and hammer ball carriers to the ground. When in the box, he can get a little high when taking on linemen, but Julian does an impressive job holding his gaps and finding the football. He still has two years of prep ball in front of him, but right now, he looks like a Will linebacker, as his best asset is his ability to roam free and deliver the boom in the open field.
Julian isn’t really on a lot of radars right now. That should change this season.
CB Lazarus Range – 6’0″ 170 / @Lazarus93041972 — Pearland HS / Class of ’24
Range is a silky corner that can turn and run with anyone. Had eight pass breakups and three interceptions as a Junior, and both of those numbers should rise this season. Though opposing quarterbacks may have him well-scouted and decide it’s smart to not throw his way, he has a knack for reading signal callers’ eyes when peeling off of his man, jumping a route, and helping quarterbacks improve their INT totals. A true gem with a bright future ahead of him.
CB Zion Jones Zion Jones 5'10" | 175 lbs | DB Jordan | 2025 State TX – 5’11” 175 / @ZionMTJones — Katy Jordan HS / Class of ’25
Jones is a man cover corner who doesn’t allow much separation on the outside. He’s exactly the type of confident cornerback you want in your DB room. He has smooth hips, transitions well, and uses his natural instincts to shut down his opponent’s best wideout. If pure speed is what you are looking for, you’ve found it. Clocks a low 4.4, and may very well be able to crack 4.3 heading into his junior season.