There are always players who have flown under the radar that emerge in their final season just as there are also players who projected well as juniors but for one reason or another don't progress the way that they were expected to and slip. This notebook looks at the players who have emerged in the eyes of Scout.com Regional Analysts Baron Flenory and Alan Zepeda.
COMMITTED PROSPECTS
BAYLOR
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LaQuince McCall: From 2 to 3 Stars
McCall of Reagan High School in San Antonio, TX started to improve his stock at the Baylor Camp. In his final audition of the summer, McCall's performance was outstanding and ultimately ended in him receiving his Baylor offer. Since committing, McCall continues to develop his skills at Safety but has the frame and skills to play OLB. He is rangy, has good ball skills, and plays with passion. His team is 4-2.
COLORADO
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Nosa Eguae: From NR to 3 Stars
Eguae of Summit High School in Mansfield, TX had not been evaluated by Scout.com before the start of the 2008 season. Since starting the season Scout.com has laid eyes on Eguae both on film and in person and he was in a serious need of a ranking change. At 6-3 240 pounds, Eguae, is tough to handle coming off the edge. He is a discipline players that reads and diagnosis a play before committing. He has adequate speed in pursuit of the QB or when bending on the backside of run. Eguae can bump down and play the 3 technique DT as he uses his hands well and is explosive and strong at the point to attack.
IOWA STATE
No changes.
KANSAS
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Kevin Young: From 3 to 4 Stars
Young of Olathe North High School in Olathe, KS continues to improve yet his ceiling is still so far from his grasps. From the first time seeing him at the Scout.com Combine in KC 2 years ago to now, Young has progressed a great deal. He plays with a high motor, is great at getting to the QB (working a variety of moves and is athletic. His major knock was his disengaging ability but he has worked diligently at improving and has made strides. Young has very long arms and "now" uses his hands well. He is a force on the opposite side of the line. Some KU is in great need of.
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Prinz Kande: From 3 to 4 Stars
Kande of Trinity High School in Euless, TX has been the most impressive players that I have seen in person this season. That is high regards considering the fact that he shares the field with 4 star Texas commit CB Eryon Barnett. Kande is a physical player that can play anywhere in the secondary. He runs and covers like a CB, has the range of an elite safety and hits and tackles like a LB.
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Dexter Linton: From NR to 3 Stars
Linton of Bowie High School in Arlington, TX is silent but deadly. He is the "QUITE" leader of a defense that has pitched 2 shutouts and only allows 10 points a game. Linton plays well in zone coverage and keeps everything in front of him. He has good instincts and is always in position to make a play on the ball. Has very good closing speed and is a sure tackler.
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Earnest Norman: From NR to 3 Stars
Norman is a teammate of Kande's at Trinity High School. He is a bit short to play in the middle of the box but he plays bigger than his stature. He is actually great inside the box. He stuffs the run. He plays sideline to sideline with a high motor but because of his size he gets caught in the muck (at times) trying to scrape over the face of guards and tackles trying to cut him off. He has the athletic ability to cover backs out the backfield but his home in in box. Very productive.
KANSAS STATE
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Robert Thomas: From 2 to 3 Stars
Thomas of Muskogee High School in OK is a big body that creates pile ups. He gets off the ball low and hard as he is only 6'0 so staying low is not a problem for the big man. He doesn't fly up field creating seams and has surprisingly good footwork of a kid his size. A couple more inches and better disengaging skills would make him a 4 star national recruit.
MISSOURI
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Brayden Burnett: From 2 to 3 Stars
Burnett of Carroll High School in South Lake, TX is a high motor DE that is relentless getting to the ball. He is has good lateral movement and uses his hand effectively to fight on blockers. He is also a solid tackler.
DOWN
Terrance Lloyd: From 4 to 3 Stars
The Houston native (Stratford High School) is an athlete. He is naturally gifted and his size, speed, and athleticism causes problems. He is raw in technique and doesn't use an array of moves; primary bull rushing or speed rushing to beat his opponent. He has a great college DE frame with almost no fat, once he fills out he will have the look of an NFL defensive end yet a summer of the weight room and technique focused training will work wonders. If that is not his focus, he will need a redshirt year. He has all the tools in the shed, they just need sharpened.
FYI-While he has tremendous upside, he just isn't where the other DEs are at this point. He is the highest rated 3 star TE and will still be a force at the next level.
NEBRASKA
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Brent Qvale: From Unranked 2 Star to Ranked 2 Stars
Qvale of Williston (ND) High School has what you cannot teach and that is size. He is massive is a devastating run blocker. While he needs to work on his footwork he not awkward and immobile. He has average technique but good coaching will turn him into a player.
OKLAHOMA
No Movement
OKLAHOMA STATE
No Movement But Comments Made On RB Jeremy Smith. Read Players Making A Push For Movement Below.
TEXAS
DOWN
Calvin Howell: From 4 to 3 Stars
We love him for his size and speed but at this point he has not put together his game yet. Defensive tackles are a big need position for all schools and that alone makes him valuable. He needs to work more on getting away from the blocker and finding the ball.
Texas A&M
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Steven Terrell: From 2 to 3 Stars
Terrell plays both Safety and CB for Allen (TX) High School but projects as a corner at the next level. He has fluid secondary skills; he can run, back pedal, and break with little extra movement. He anticipates well and jumps routes; he breaks on the ball with the best of them and has the ability to not only make the play but to force a turnover. He knows how to play the game of football.
TEXAS TECH
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Yahshua Williams: From 2 to 3 Stars
If you thought Williams looked good on film, you are in for a treat when you see him in person. Williams is a cerebral DB. His football IQ, instincts, size, and quickness make him a versatile defender that can play anywhere in a defensive secondary. He has adequate skill sets as corner but elite skill sets as a high safety. He will need to work on bringing his feet when tackling because arm tackles in college will get broken. If nurtured correctly he has a promising future CB or S.
OTHER SCHOOLS IN THE REGION
TCU
UP-
Justin Isadore: From 2 to 3 Stars
Isadore of Ozen High School in Beaumont, TX is extremely productive yet because of his stature, 3 stars is highest he can be rated. While he lacks ideal size, his aggression/hitting ability magnify his play. He plays bigger than his size and is best when attacking. A scheme that blitzes off the edge would best suit his needs. He is one big fast-twitch muscle that can create turnovers. When he hits a RB they don't keep running. He needs to get stronger to not give ground when defeating blocks, instead he will be able to take them on using hat and hands.
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Waymon James: From NR to 3 Stars
James is a diminutive back that has great vision. He finds seams and hits them running. He is good between the tackles but is great in space. His low center of gravity allows him to break tackles even thought he is only 5'8. He catches well and is a threat in the passing games. A couple more inches and he would be a prized recruit.
UNCOMMITTED MOVERS
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Rex Burkhead: From 3 to 4 Stars
Burkhead is an impressive athlete from Plano (TX) High School who projects at multiple positions. He has speed to break any play and take it in for a score. He is explosive at take off and is hard to catch once he has the ball. Biggest question is where to play him as he is being recruited at wide receiver, tailback, defensive back and linebacker. He has too many offers to count.
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Josh Gordon: From 2 to 3 Stars
Gordon was originally a three star player that dropped down in the rankings after not taking care of business off the field. We saw him recently vs Chavez High School and he showed that the old Josh Gordon is back. A tall, rangy receiver with solid speed. He is not a barn burner but is more than possesion receiver as he shows great versatility. His number frequently called on reverses where he has the ability to pick up big yards.
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Kendial Lawrence: From 2 to 3 Stars
There is a lot to like about Rockwall-Heath RB but what is particularly impressive is his footwork. He has great instincts with the ball and can change direction and make a defender look silly. He is a speedy back who is hard to catch once he has a step on the defender.
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Cobi Hamilton: From NR to 3 Stars
Hamilton is a tall receiver who runs good routes. He will not scare defensive with speed but his size creates problems. He is a great option in the red zone. A bit off the beaten path in Texarkana, the word on him is getting around. He has been drawing interest from the SEC and the Big 12 north.
DOWN-
Tyrik Rollison: From 4 to 3 Stars
Rollison is raw recruit that some like as a quarterback while others like as a wide receiver. We saw him in camps during the off-season and he rattled off impressive performance after impressive performance. However, he has not made the improvements in his game that warrant a "4 Star" ranking.
PLAYERS THAT ARE NOT CHANGING STAR RANKING BUT ARE PUSHING HARD FOR MOVEMENT
4 Stars
RB Christine Michael- West Brook- He had a monster summer and put 35 points on the board against a talented Lufkin defense. He is a big player who uses strength and balance to top off a great physical running style.
RB Jeremy Smith- Union High School- The OSU commit is not having the most productive year statistically but he is hone his skills as a pass protector, he is more active in the passing scheme, and he still has the tools to break a game open with the ball in his hands.
3 Stars
DT Darryl Jackson (Yates) - had a strong summer but has not lived up to expectations so far. He has the physical skills to be special but the production is not there.
RB- Charles Simms (Westbury)- huge season this year and has show himself to be dangerous on carries, pass catches and returns. He can make something from nothing and is always a threat to take the abll to the house.
OLB- Malcolm Johnson (Klein Collins)- one of the players responsible for his team's big start. He has had a big season and shown to live up to the hype.
WR- Anthony Kendrick (Seven Lakes)- Big receiver who has had a big season to date. Makes nice catches and can fight for tough yards after the catch.
RB Curtis McGregor (Eisenhower)- smallish back but he is another back who is a threat to go all the way anytime he touches the ball. A 10 carry 245 yard night against Kingwood is typical of his year.
WR Ja-mes Logan (Westfield)- He is not thought of as a breakaway threat but he has been this year and his 250 yard game against Klein Forest show how good he can really be. Tall, sleek and faster than he looks, only knock is in the red zone he does not have the great leaping ability to bring in the ball.