Stepping Up: Underclassmen to Know Early

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out five players in the Lone Star state who are set to expedite their recruitment this summer during camp season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1535462' first='Craig' last='Harding Jr'] | 2028 | ATH | West Brook</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A dynamic playmaker on both sides of the ball, [player_tooltip player_id='1535462' first='Craig' last='Harding Jr'] (5-10, 185) showcases natural instincts and elite footwork. As a running back, he has an innate feel for pressure, turning broken plays into explosive gains with his vision and quick cuts. His balance and acceleration make him a constant big-play threat. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On defense, his crisp footwork and fluid hips allow him to match receivers step-for-step, while his quickness and physicality shine in run support. With his skill set, he projects as a versatile defensive back, potentially excelling in a nickel role as he develops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1546645' first='Ty' last='McCurry'] | 2028 | Offensive Lineman | Atlas</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1546645' first='Ty' last='McCurry'], a 6-foot-6, 270-pound offensive lineman, exhibits impressive footwork and quickness, effectively neutralizing agile edge rushers. His notable size and length, combined with a swift first step in pass protection, allow him to leverage his frame to overpower defenders, often driving them to the ground. In pull schemes, McCurry serves as a powerful second-level blocker, demonstrating both speed and strength.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In recognition of his talents, McCurry was honored to compete in #TheNationalCombine at the @USArmyBowl, being selected as one of the five offensive linemen for the Class of 2028. Additionally, he was named to the Top 50 All Texas Freshmen Team, highlighting his status as one of the top offensive line prospects in Texas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='946501' first='Hayden' last='Cooley'] | 2027 | Wide Receiver | Walnut Grove (Prosper)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='946501' first='Hayden' last='Cooley'], a 6-foot-1, 185-pound wide receiver, has made significant strides in his sophomore season. His wide catch radius and strong hands make him a reliable target, while his post-catch abilities and open-field speed pose a constant threat to defenses. Lined up in the slot, Cooley exhibits fearlessness over the middle, maintaining focus through catches despite impending contact. His route running and footwork are well-developed, utilizing effective hesitations and bursts of acceleration to exploit defensive lapses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the 2024 season, Cooley recorded 44 receptions for 714 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 16.2 yards per catch over 13 games. His performance earned him the 5A-II District 4 Offensive Newcomer of the Year award.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hayden Waller | 2027 | Linebacker | Brock</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hayden Waller, a 6-foot-2, 206-pound linebacker, is recognized for his high football IQ and versatility on the field. His athletic metrics include a 4.78-second 40-yard dash, a 4.21-second shuttle run, and a 76.5-inch wingspan. Waller's acceleration and lateral quickness enable him to effectively cover various defensive responsibilities, including pass coverage, run support, and blitzing. His ability to read plays and react swiftly makes him a formidable presence on the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/haywall2027/status/1886181982696022238?s=61","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/haywall2027/status/1886181982696022238?s=61 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='404107' first='Jordan' last='Carraway'] | 2027 | Offensive Lineman | Forney</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='404107' first='Jordan' last='Carraway'], a 6-foot-5, 290-pound offensive lineman, is recognized for his formidable presence on the field. His explosive power off the snap and exceptional lower body strength make him a cornerstone of his team's offensive line. Carraway's adept footwork enables him to create effective seals against defenders, and his proficiency in chip blocking allows him to overpower opponents and disrupt defenses at the second level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beyond his on-field performance, Carraway has garnered attention from several collegiate programs. He holds offers from Texas Tech, UNLV, North Texas, Pittsburgh, and Tulsa. Notably, he has visited Texas A&amp;M, expressing enthusiasm about his experience in College Station.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/jordancarraway6/status/1885515866734743656?s=61","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/jordancarraway6/status/1885515866734743656?s=61 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->