Five 2028 Athletes Make Noise At SMU Camp

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2028 in the Houston area continues to turn heads, and two under-the-radar running backs may have just boosted their stock in a major way. At the SMU football camp held on June 2, 2025, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='681618' first='Jordan' last='Hightower Jr'].</strong> and <strong>Corey Richardson Jr.</strong> made their presence known, drawing the attention of college coaches with standout performances. Along with <strong>Markel Morrow</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1815840' first='Princeton' last='Callaway Jr'].</strong>, and <strong>Rozrick Purvis II</strong> showing their skills. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Markel Morrow ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"152","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Heights H.S.","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Defenders","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6844df142feb4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Markel posted an impressive 40-yard dash time of 4.66, demonstrating his speed and explosiveness. In the wide receiver drills, he showcased reliable hands and smooth route-running. His combination of speed and catching ability makes him a promising playmaker to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Rozrick Purvis II","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"129","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Randle H.S.","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"CSA Elite","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6844df142ff5e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rozrick is a talented slot receiver with quick, explosive feet off the snap, allowing him to get into his routes with precision. He made several impressive deep catches, consistently creating separation from defenders. His speed and route-running make him a dangerous weapon in the passing game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1815840' first='Princeton' last='Callaway Jr'].","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"190","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Fort Bend Marshall H.S.","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"N/A","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6844df142fff4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Princeton recorded a solid 40-yard dash time of 4.75, highlighting his straight-line speed. He showed quick feet and sharp change of direction during the cone drills, executing clean, explosive cuts. His agility and control make him a versatile and dynamic athlete.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite not holding offers yet, all of the mentioned players have the tools, toughness, and athleticism to become high recruits in the near future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='681618' first='Jordan' last='Hightower Jr']. – Fulshear High School</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["681618"],"_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-6844df1430048"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jordan displayed excellent foot quickness during the ladder drills, showing precision and control with every step. In the one-on-one drills, he used that same quickness to create separation and make defenders miss. His agility and sharp movements made him one of the most noticeable athletes on the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hightower made a splash at SMU, flashing elite agility, quick feet, and explosive burst through drills. The 5'8" back transferred from Jordan High School to Fulshear this past spring and is already building buzz with his dynamic style of play. Hightower is the kind of back who can make defenders miss in tight spaces and explode into daylight with a second gear that separates him from the pack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coaches at the SMU camp were impressed with his ability to change direction effortlessly and accelerate on a dime. With a strong frame and natural football instincts, Hightower is poised to break out in 2025 as he adjusts to his new home at Fulshear.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Corey Richardson Jr. – Stafford High School</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":1687000,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Corey Richardson Jr.","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"183","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Stafford","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"CSA Elite","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6844df14300db"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Corey made several impressive catches during the one-on-one drills, displaying strong hands and body control. He also showed excellent footwork in the bag drills, moving with balance and precision. His performance highlighted his versatility and athleticism as a complete back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Standing at 6'1” and 183 pounds, Corey Richardson Jr. already looks like a college-ready athlete — and he's just getting started. As a freshman, he contributed on varsity at Stafford High School as a linebacker, showcasing physicality, instincts, and toughness. Now, heading into his sophomore year, Richardson is making the full-time move to running back — and the transition looks promising.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the SMU camp, Richardson stood out with his size, fluid movement, and natural downhill running ability. His one-cut style and long stride allow him to cover ground quickly, while his versatility as a former defensive player brings added toughness to his game. With track and basketball also in his background, Corey is a multi-sport athlete with a high ceiling and strong academic foundation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Final Thoughts</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hightower and Richardson may not have offers yet, but their performances at SMU put them firmly on the radar of college coaches. As the 2025 season approaches, both backs have a chance to solidify themselves as premier talents in the Houston area. Programs looking to get ahead on the Class of 2028 would be wise to take a closer look — because these two hidden gems won't stay hidden for long.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Written by Derrick Ray</strong><br><em>Prep Redzone Scout </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->