Notebook: 2016 ETSN.FM + APEC Football Recruiting Combine
The East Texas Sports Network, more commonly referred to as ETSN, hosted their fourth annual Top 100 recruiting combine this past weekend. The event featured some of the best prospects in East Texas, a very fertile recruiting ground for college coaches around the country.
The day started with combine testing, moved into individual position drills, and ended with one-on-ones. LoneStarPreps was in attendance and here is a notebook review of the event by position.
QUARTERBACKS
John Tyler (Texas) quarterback Bryson Smith was in attendance, but did not work-out due to a minor foot injury. The dual-threat prospect mentioned a second visit to Houston in early June, plus possible visits to SMU and Texas State this summer. Smith also plans to make a decision soon, putting Houston in a good spot for the East Texas quarterback.
Longview (Texas) quarterback Gaylon Wiley took home the Quarterbacks MVP and showed great arm strength throughout the day. He does not hold any offers at the moment and college programs see him transitioning to safety at the next level, but it only takes one coaching staff to like him at quarterback.
RUNNING BACKS
Arp (Texas) running back Kayce Medlock earned the Offensive MVP award and posted a combine best 4.40 second laser-timed 40-yard dash. The standout prospect holds eight (8) offers at the moment and several in-state programs are beginning to show interest. Army and SMU are the offers standing out at the moment, plus coaches from TCU, Texas, UTSA, and Texas A&M have all checked in recently.
Mineola (Texas) running back Chantz Perkins took home the Running Backs MVP award and posted a 4.47 second laser-timed 40-yard dash.
Harleton (Texas) running back Ted Fuller recently added his first offer from Louisiana Monroe. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound back also posted a 4.58 second laser-timed 40-yard dash. Fuller and his head coach mentioned that several other schools have stopped by to check in this spring, including SMU, SFA, Wyoming and several others.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Center (Texas) Rivals250 wide receiver Octavius Evans lived up to his top billing this weekend. He ran great routes and posted a 4.68 second laser-timed 40-yard dash. Texas A&M stopped by the school recently and Evans plans to visit College Station next month. Mississippi State, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma State are other schools the standout receiver plans to visit later this summer.
John Tyler (Texas) Rivals250 wide receiver Damion Miller was in attendance, but did not participate in the combine. The standout prospect continues to add new offers this spring despite his longtime commitment to the Longhorns. Miller mentioned unofficial visits to Baylor, Texas A&M, and Ole Miss later this summer.
Kilgore (Texas) 2018 wide receiver Jonathan Shepherd is an underclassmen to watch at the receiver position. The 6-foot-3, 182-pound prospect ran a 4.57 second laser-timed 40-yard dash and showed great footwork while running routes on the day. No offers at the moment, but coaches from Stanford, TCU, Texas, Purdue, Florida State, and Louisville have all started to show interest this spring. Shepherd says that TCU is the team to beat at the moment.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Marshall (Texas) 2018 offensive guard Chasen Hines could play guard or center at the next level. He already holds an early offer from Baylor and coaches from LSU, Kansas, TCU, and Kansas State are beginning to show interest this spring. The standout prospect is planning to camp with LSU, Texas Tech, Baylor, and TCU later this summer.
Mount Pleasant (Texas) offensive tackle Thomas Spann took home the Offensive Lineman MVP award on the day. He does not hold any offers at the moment, but certainly looked the part and moved well for his size. Spann could be a prospect that blooms late on the recruiting trail.
Mount Pleasant (Texas) offensive tackle Caleb Johnson also had a good day at the camp. He does not hold any offers at the moment, but the 6-foot-5, 312-pound prospect has a great frame and could find a fit on the inside at guard for a college program later in the process.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
John Tyler (Texas) 2018 defensive end Dekalen Goodson recently picked up his first offer from Mississippi State. He also has coaches from SMU, Purdue, and Texas beginning to show interest this spring.
Tyler (Texas) Lee defensive end Miller Campbell earned the Defensive Line MVP award on the day. Campbell also put up 12 reps of 225-pounds on the bench press.
LINEBACKERS
Whitehouse (Texas) linebacker Kyree Key definitely stood out from the crowd size-wise and passes the eye test. He ran a 4.83 second laser-timed 40-yard dash and moved well in the position drills throughout the day. Coaches from Baylor, Texas, and Oklahoma State have started to show interest this spring.
John Tyler (Texas) 2018 linebacker Martrevious Allison recently added his first offer from Mississippi State. He moved very well for his size and has a great frame to build on over the next two seasons. Coaches from Auburn also stopped by the school recently and Allison grew up a fan of Alabama.
Athens (Texas) linebacker Noah Bush earned the Linebackers MVP award on the day. He holds an offer from Army and has already taken an unofficial visit to West Point. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound prospect ran a 4.67 second laser-timed 40-yard dash and showed great athleticism during the position drills.
Atlanta (Texas) outside linebacker Tristan Allen does not currently hold any offers, but is a very intriguing prospect with a great frame and speed. He ran a 4.69 second laser-timed 40-yard dash and looked impressive during the position drills.
Wills Point (Texas) linebacker Sloan Rodberg does not currently hold any offers, but has good size at 6-foot-1, 216-pounds and looked good during the position drills this weekend.
Mineola (Texas) 2018 linebacker Michael Drennon does not currently hold any offers, but the underclassmen prospect was impressive on the day.
Carthage (Texas) 2018 linebacker Mykel Gates does not currently hold any offers, but is another underclassmen to watch in the East Texas area.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Nacogdoches (Texas) corner Josh Thompson earned the Defensive MVP on the day. He holds nearly 20 offers at this point, adding offers from both Houston and Texas Tech on Monday. According to the standout prospect, coaches from Baylor, TCU, and Oklahoma State are all close to offering as well. He plans to visit Texas Tech, Baylor, Oklahoma State, and LSU later this summer.
Gladewater (Texas) safety Austin Hawley recently picked up his first offer from Louisiana-Monroe and several other programs are beginning to show interest. He already visited SMU and Arkansas this spring, and plans to camp with several programs coming to the East Texas area this summer. Coaches from Tulsa, Louisiana Tech, and Texas Tech have stopped by the school to show interest this spring.
West Rusk (Texas) safety Kevin Jones does not hold any offers at the moment, but that could change once he takes the ACT test later this summer. Coaches from Houston, North Texas, SFA, Texas, and Arkansas State have started to show interest this spring. Jones ran a 4.71 second laser-timed 40-yard dash and moved very well in the position drills. He plans to attend several satellite camps in the area and the Texas camp in Austin later this summer.
Nacogdoches (Texas) 2018 corner DaRyan Williams does not currently hold any offers, but already has great size for an underclassmen and showed great athleticism throughout the day. He ran a 4.53 second laser-timed 40-yard dash in the testing portion of the combine. Williams could be the next in line of Dragons defensive backs to receive D1 offers, joining Josh Thompson above and Rivals100 safety Brandon Jones of the 2016 class.
