DFW Gems Who Will Shine in 2024

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Often times there are players who have the skills to play that the next level but fly under the radar. These hidden gems are players who put up the stats, they make the plays that game changers make and these players are crucial to their teams success. For this list we highlight several standouts in the 2025 class in the DFW area who had breakout junior seasons and return this season as difference makers who are gems that college programs should get eyes on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["698209"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66aade5b66b62"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thompson is a do it all type of player who has the skill set to be an offensive threat with the ball in his hands. He is the perfect combination of speed and power at the running back position. Thompson runs with power and he runs with a low center of gravity. He has great vision that enables him to set up his blocks well and find creases to exploit holes that open up. Luke has the suddenness in space to make quick cuts and he gets north in a hurry. Thompson filled up the stat sheet last season, accounting for over 1,600 yards of offense last season for Sanger. He will be a focal point in the Sanger offense heading into his senior season. Look for him to get his shine on and he is a difference maker to keep an eye on this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1335643"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66aade5b66bd8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brooks is a shifty runner with the speed to hit the hole quickly or separate at the second level to make a house call. He runs with excellent pad level and he has the ability to make defenders miss in the open field avoiding big shots. When he gets to daylight, he gets north quickly and he is a threat to score from any down or distance. Brooks rushed for over 600 yards with 4 touchdowns last season and was selected 2nd Team All-District. I expect his numbers to inflate this season. Expect a heavy dose of Brooks this season at Aubrey.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1356003"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ab14b9b2886"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Watkins has strong hands and his large catch radius enables him to extend to make difficult grabs on contested catches. He uses his 6-foot-4 frame well to box out defenders in close quarters and he has the body control to play above the rim, making him a red zone threat. He has excellent quickness that allows him to win early in his routes. Watkins will be a veteran threat for Walnut Grove who will demand attention from defenses. He is a mismatch for most cornerbacks out on an island. Getting him to ball will allow Walnut Grove to have access to a big play threat in their offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1329858"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ab14b9b28cc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Williams is a big play waiting to happen with the football in his hands. His has the quickness and burst through to hole that allows him to not be touched until he reaches the second level. He has verified track speed and when he gets in the open field Williams has the explosiveness to walk away from defenders for six. He is one of the key offensive returners for a Celina team that has aspirations of making a run at a state title in 2024. Williams's toolbox is loaded with a variety of skills that enables him to be an offensive weapon and he is a gem that will be shinning on Friday nights this fall for Celina.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->