Texas Longhorns: Alabama Crimson Tide
TYLER, Texas -- East Texas often is considered one of the nation’s most underrated areas in finding elite talent when it comes to college football recruiting. Sunday featured the inaugural East Texas Sports Network combine, which showcased more than 100 players from East Texas.
The event took place at the Accelerate Performance Enhancement Center (APEC) training facility, which has trained professionals such as quarterback Graham Harrell, running back Kendall Hunter and pro baseball pitchers Phillip Humber and Josh Tomlin.
The event took place at the Accelerate Performance Enhancement Center (APEC) training facility, which has trained professionals such as quarterback Graham Harrell, running back Kendall Hunter and pro baseball pitchers Phillip Humber and Josh Tomlin.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
HUEYTOWN, Ala. -- College coaches from across the country came to see ESPN 150 running back Racean Thomas (Oxford, Ala./Oxford) this spring, but it was the usual suspects -- Alabama and Auburn -- who were in attendance for his spring game on Saturday night.
The Alabama native didn’t disappoint. In two quarters of action, Thomas rushed seven times for 124 yards and two touchdowns. He took his first carry 73 yards for a score.
With that type of performance, it’s no surprise that new schools continue to enter the mix.
The Alabama native didn’t disappoint. In two quarters of action, Thomas rushed seven times for 124 yards and two touchdowns. He took his first carry 73 yards for a score.
With that type of performance, it’s no surprise that new schools continue to enter the mix.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
AUSTIN, Texas -- Deionte Thompson (Orange, Texas/West Orange-Stark) doesn’t feel any pressure when it comes to recruiting right now. And why should he?
The 2015 safety has been committed to Alabama since February. He’s perfectly content with that pledge. Recruiters aren’t backing off, but that doesn’t bother Thompson.
The 2015 safety has been committed to Alabama since February. He’s perfectly content with that pledge. Recruiters aren’t backing off, but that doesn’t bother Thompson.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Q&A: 4-star prospect Martin deciding soon 
May, 15, 2013
May 15
1:00
PM CT
By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
AUSTIN, Texas -- Versatility is a trait widely admired by college programs, but one that doesn’t always come in the form of someone 6-foot-6 and 247 pounds.
Koda Martin’s size alone makes him an attractive prospect, but couple it with his ability to play on either side of the ball and it’s easy to see why the four-star recruit from Manvel, Texas, has close to 20 offers.
Martin, who is rated as the No. 21 offensive tackle and No. 43 player in the state of Texas, was in Austin on Saturday to get a better feel for one of those schools that offered him.
We caught up with Martin at the Texas State track and field meet to see how everything went with the visit with Texas, and where he stands overall.
Koda Martin’s size alone makes him an attractive prospect, but couple it with his ability to play on either side of the ball and it’s easy to see why the four-star recruit from Manvel, Texas, has close to 20 offers.
Martin, who is rated as the No. 21 offensive tackle and No. 43 player in the state of Texas, was in Austin on Saturday to get a better feel for one of those schools that offered him.
We caught up with Martin at the Texas State track and field meet to see how everything went with the visit with Texas, and where he stands overall.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
John Saunder gives his take on Texas, Alabama, LSU, Florida, Florida State and other schools offering eighth-grader Dylan Moses a scholarship.
MANVEL, Texas — On the wall across the Manvel (Texas) High School locker room and weight room, there is a poster with the words "Hoka Hey."
Though the term's original meaning was "It's a good day to die," when Crazy Horse let the Sioux to a victory at the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876, around Manvel High, it takes on a much more amiable meaning. Specifically, it's used to symbolize teamwork. At the top of the poster are the words "Hoka Hey = Play Unselfish."
Though the term's original meaning was "It's a good day to die," when Crazy Horse let the Sioux to a victory at the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876, around Manvel High, it takes on a much more amiable meaning. Specifically, it's used to symbolize teamwork. At the top of the poster are the words "Hoka Hey = Play Unselfish."
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
HUMBLE, Texas -- Deionte Thompson's last visit to Alabama was a memorable one. And though it's hard to top that day, when the Orange (Texas) West Orange-Stark 2015 safety committed to the Crimson Tide, he had a pretty fun time when he returned to Tuscaloosa, Ala., recently for A-Day.
He even brought along a friend, fellow Southeast Texas defensive back Tony Brown (Beaumont, Texas/Ozen) an ESPN 150 prospect.
"It was great," said Thompson, who competed in the Texas Class 3A Region III track and field championships with his West Orange-Stark teammates over the weekend. "Tony Brown came with me. We talked to a lot of other recruits, two of the other commits from the Class of 2015. We watched the game, saw some stuff where they need to improve on and what they're good at, so it was a great time going out there and having fun."
He even brought along a friend, fellow Southeast Texas defensive back Tony Brown (Beaumont, Texas/Ozen) an ESPN 150 prospect.
"It was great," said Thompson, who competed in the Texas Class 3A Region III track and field championships with his West Orange-Stark teammates over the weekend. "Tony Brown came with me. We talked to a lot of other recruits, two of the other commits from the Class of 2015. We watched the game, saw some stuff where they need to improve on and what they're good at, so it was a great time going out there and having fun."
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Elisha Shaw (Tucker, Ga./Tucker) already holds offers from Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, Ohio State and a handful of other big-time programs, so he wasn’t surprised to get a new offer on Monday.
He was surprised, however, that it came from Texas. The ESPN 150 defensive tackle met with Texas offensive line coach Stacy Searels on Monday and could look into checking out what the Longhorns have to offer this summer.
He was surprised, however, that it came from Texas. The ESPN 150 defensive tackle met with Texas offensive line coach Stacy Searels on Monday and could look into checking out what the Longhorns have to offer this summer.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Methodical approach for 5-star DE Garrett
April, 23, 2013
Apr 23
1:00
PM CT
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
When it comes to how he approaches athletics and everything that comes with it, Arlington (Texas) James Martin defensive end Myles Garrett is methodical.
The five-star defensive end does things his way -- and not in a bad way.
The five-star defensive end does things his way -- and not in a bad way.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Offer changes timeline for 2015 DT Mack
April, 22, 2013
Apr 22
4:00
PM CT
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
Gladewater (Texas) High School defensive tackle Daylon Mack felt confident in where his recruitment was headed.
Having picked up offers from the two most well-known programs in his home state, visiting both campuses and dissecting it all, he felt certain that he was ready to make a commitment to one of them.
Then Alabama extended the 2015 prospect a scholarship offer and Mack took a step back. Now, the 6-foot-2, 307-pound prospect intends to take his time when it comes to decision-making in the recruiting process.
Having picked up offers from the two most well-known programs in his home state, visiting both campuses and dissecting it all, he felt certain that he was ready to make a commitment to one of them.
Then Alabama extended the 2015 prospect a scholarship offer and Mack took a step back. Now, the 6-foot-2, 307-pound prospect intends to take his time when it comes to decision-making in the recruiting process.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
#BlueChipBattles: ESPN 150 release edition
April, 19, 2013
Apr 19
11:49
AM CT
By RecruitingNation | ESPN.com
Student Sports, ESPN, ESPNSpeedy Noil, Adoree Jackson and Da'Shawn Hand are three of the most coveted recruits in the Class of 2014.
: RecruitingNation summoned its writers from around the country to outline the recruiting battles for the ESPN 150's top 10 prospects.
Plus, rank the battles in SportsNation.
#TopFBMixtapes: Athlete mixtapes are all the rage in this highlight-crazed era of sports. We reached out to our Twitter followers to find out which 2014 football stars had the best highlight reels on YouTube, then had our staff rank and comment on the top submissions.
Tom Luginbill writes
: After talking to many coaches across the country and hearing their frustrations, here are their five biggest complaints about homemade highlight videos.
HOUSTON, Texas -- After a busy track and field season, ESPN Watch List linebacker Zach Whitley Jr. is turning his attention back to football.
The 2014 prospect's time on the track for this season is complete and on Tuesday at Houston North Shore, the soon-to-be-senior was out at Galena Park ISD Stadium, barking out calls to his defensive teammates during 7-on-7 sessions as he and the Mustangs prepare for the 2013 season.
The 2014 prospect's time on the track for this season is complete and on Tuesday at Houston North Shore, the soon-to-be-senior was out at Galena Park ISD Stadium, barking out calls to his defensive teammates during 7-on-7 sessions as he and the Mustangs prepare for the 2013 season.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Watching ESPN Watch List cornerback Tony Brown (Beaumont, Texas/Ozen) compete is almost like watching a one-man show. No matter what he does, there’s the understood notion that he’s going to excel.
On the football field, he’s one of the nation’s best cornerbacks, an athlete with more than 20 scholarship offers. Over the weekend, Brown not only won the defensive back MVP award at the Dallas Nike Football Training Camp but also earned an invitation to The Opening this summer in Oregon.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Want to know where Solomon Thomas (Coppell, Texas/Coppell) will end up? Good luck with that.
Truth is, the ESPN Watch List defensive end is wide open with his recruiting process -- and by “wide open,” that doesn’t mean, in this case, that he has a favorite but is keeping it under wraps.
Truth is, the ESPN Watch List defensive end is wide open with his recruiting process -- and by “wide open,” that doesn’t mean, in this case, that he has a favorite but is keeping it under wraps.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
ALLEN, Texas -- The last couple of month have been memorable for Orange (Texas) West Orange-Stark 2015 safety Deionte Thompson.
In February, Thompson attended an Alabama junior day, received an offer from head coach Nick Saban and promptly committed.
In recent weeks, the 6-foot-3, 172-pound prospect visited two other schools -- Texas and Texas A&M -- and picked up offers from both. On Sunday, he made the trek to the Dallas-Fort Worth area for the Dallas Nike Football Training Camp.
Needless to say, things have been busy.
In February, Thompson attended an Alabama junior day, received an offer from head coach Nick Saban and promptly committed.
In recent weeks, the 6-foot-3, 172-pound prospect visited two other schools -- Texas and Texas A&M -- and picked up offers from both. On Sunday, he made the trek to the Dallas-Fort Worth area for the Dallas Nike Football Training Camp.
Needless to say, things have been busy.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
ABOUT HORNSNATION
Sean Adams
Sean Adams has covered the Texas Longhorns and college football for the last 12 years as a writer and radio host. Sean co-hosts "The Big Show" with Erin Hogan each afternoon on ESPN Austin 104.9 The Horn. He lives with his family in Round Rock, Texas. Email him at thisean@gmail.com.
Max Olson
Max Olson joined ESPN in 2012 after covering the University of Nebraska for the Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald and high school and college sports for the World-Herald and Rivals.com. Olson is a University of Nebraska graduate and lives in Austin, Texas. Email him at maxolsonespn@gmail.com.
Carter Strickand
Carter Strickland joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the University of Georgia for Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the University of Oklahoma for The (Oklahoma City) Oklahoman and Washington State University for The (Spokane, Wash.) Spokesman-Review. Strickland lives with his wife and family in Austin. Email him at cstrickland70@gmail.com.
William Wilkerson
William Wilkerson joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering high school sports, college sports and the Texas Rangers over four years at the Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram. William is a University of Texas graduate and lives in Austin. He can be reached at wilkerson.espn@gmail.com.