Power Scores: X Factors, Houston County Bears

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are the X Factors on the Houston County squad, the highest scored 5A team in the state according to our Power Score model.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["991472"],"_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-68dd4c385fca7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Maxwell is a breakout sophomore QB who has produced efficiently through the first half of the season. He is a baseball athlete, which shows with his quick release and dispenser playstyle. He is a good decision maker, gets the ball out, and clearly has a firm grasp of what he is asked to do offensively. I am eager to see hw he grows athletically over the next few years, because his operative skills are impressive for his age. </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":"Colin Anderson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_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":"170","_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":"Houston County","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_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-68dd4c385fdc8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Anderson is over 700 yards rushing on the year and has also produced as a receiver out of the backfield. Anderson is undersized, but compensates with his explosiveness and speed. He is a no-nonsense runner in the sense that he doesn't waste time dancing in space. Instead, he spots an opening, sticks his foot in the ground, and gets vertical. From there, he has the speed to break away and stay away. The state is loaded with underrated senior RBs ready to contribute at the small school level, and Anderson is another guy who can check that box. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1325784"],"_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-68dd4c385fe3a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mathis is the leading receiver for Houston County and has a handful of FBS offers under his belt. He is a cut, lean athlete who can play inside-out and make plays at each level of the field. He flashes quick feet and good deception skills at critical points of the route. He tracks the ball well over his shoulder and can make catches in a crowd. Mathis is a well-rounded prospect with a high floor and capable of contributing at the D1 level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1662055"],"_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-68dd4c385fe9d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brown, a Liberty commit, helps lead a potent Houston County front seven. He is a long-limbed 6'3 230 with room to add weight and tighten up as an athlete. His length and potential for more play strength make him an obvious candidate to be trusted as an edge setter eventually. What sets him apart is his versatility. He is active and capable of bailing from his spot as an EDGE and occupying a receiver in coverage. His length clouds passing windows if he's in the right spot. You can definitely see the vision with Brown, as he is a true playmaker all over the field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1629306"],"_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-68dd4c385ff08"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jordan is a highly productive tackler for Houston County who plays both ways. Jordan is well filled out at 6'0 210. He holds a few FCS offers, and I would grade him out to that level. He is a patient pursuer of the football who plays under control. With his low center of gravity and physique, he strikes with good pad level and can quickly stall ball carriers. </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":"Jercorien McCoy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"160","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Houston County","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_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-68dd4c386005a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jercorien McCoy is the most productive player against the ball for Houston County this year, and also one of the more underrated difference makers on his squad. He is listed at 6'0 160, and plays safety. While he is a featherweight, he rallies hard downhill and accelerates through contact, helping him pack a punch nicely for his size. He is speedy and takes good angles to landmarks, which puts him in the proper position to make a play on the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["707456"],"_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-68dd4c38600c4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Paul is a bonafide P4 LB prospect and has made plays all over the field during his junior campaign. Paul has a good combination of size, speed, and explosiveness with room to pack on more weight. He is a bit of a positionless player in the second level, splitting time between a nickel spot and several different LB spots. Regardless, he is a downhill chaser of the football who leverages his explosiveness and timing to jump the snap, knife past blockers, and engage ball carriers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401566"],"_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-68dd4c3860127"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Western Ard is another versatile, well-developed prospect on the Houston County defense. He has produced for a few years up to this point. Here is what PRZ Scout Matt DeBary has said on Ard in the past:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Like his teammate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1662055' first='JaKambry' last='Brown']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jakambry-brown/"></a> , Ard is an extremely productive defender out of Houston County who should be getting more attention on the recruiting trail. And like Brown, Ard saw an offer come his way this week from the Wofford Terriers. He's active, instinctual, and knows how to slither his way through blocks and find his way into the backfield. He has a true nose for the football and made an impressive 123 tackles and 24 TFLs. He's a D1-caliber talent and should see more offers head his way over the next several weeks."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1201822"],"_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-68dd4c386018a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1201822' first='Jordan' last='Smith'], a UGA commit, is one of the premier 2026 DB prospects in Georgia. Here is what PRZ Scout Matt DeBary had to say on Smith from back in April:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Now ranked as the No. 1 DB in the state for the 2026 class, Smith is a ball-hawking safety from Middle Georgia with terrific instincts in coverage, a lengthy frame, and the ability to wrap up and make a secure tackle on the ball-carrier. He has a nose for the football and consistently finds himself around the play. He's a big-time prospect who checks just about every box you look for in a playmaking safety. He made a big jump in the rankings after a big 2024 season where he made 85 tackles, two INTs and seven more pass-breakups. He's now ranked as the No. 7 overall prospect in the state."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1584795"],"_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-68dd4c38601ee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mills is a massive prospect with a manipulating combination of mass, length, and play strength. He is packed into his frame and is impossible to move and difficult to run around at his LT spot. His play strength ends plays as soon as his hands get on you, which is likely to project to the next level. Improved foot speed and pad-level are the next steps in his development. Mills is a blue-chipper with rare traits and booming upside as he continues growing into himself. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["663459"],"_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-68dd4c3860257"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">JaKobe Bryant popped on my radar this offseason. In a world where interior pressure is so important, true NT prospects are always at a premium. Bryant has packed on some recruiting attention, and should pack on more this offseason. Here is my note from when I added him to my personal board:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Pure NT frame/projection. Naturally equipped with brute strength. Hard to move and eventually shears off blocks. Good hand usage. Flashes of impressive SAQ. Will improve as he learns to protect his chest more. Holds FBS offers. One of the better pure NT projections in the state."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->