Texas Longhorns: Texas A&M Aggies
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.
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2015 CB Sheffield bonds with Texas coach 
May, 16, 2013
May 16
10:00
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By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
AUSTIN, Texas -- Class of 2015 defensive back Kendall Sheffield (Fort Bend, Texas/Marshall) walked with a bit of a lean forward on Saturday, but with good cause. He’d just won three silver medals at the UIL State Track and Field Meet in Austin.
Sheffield placed second in the 4A 110-hurdles, 300-meters and 4x100-meter relay.
Sheffield placed second in the 4A 110-hurdles, 300-meters and 4x100-meter relay.
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Q&A: 4-star prospect Martin deciding soon
May, 15, 2013
May 15
1:00
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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.
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WR Foreman stress-free, piling up offers
May, 15, 2013
May 15
10:00
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By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
TEXAS CITY, Texas -- These days, it's all smiles for ESPN 150 receiver Armanti Foreman.
Life is good for the Texas City (Texas) High School star. Offers are coming left and right. He's preparing for a banner senior season with his twin brother, 2014 running back D'Onta Foreman. He's enjoying the final weeks of his junior year of high school. On Tuesday, Armanti was sprinting past defensive backs and juking defenders out of their shorts, showing the playmaking ability that has so many colleges at his doorstep.
Life is good for the Texas City (Texas) High School star. Offers are coming left and right. He's preparing for a banner senior season with his twin brother, 2014 running back D'Onta Foreman. He's enjoying the final weeks of his junior year of high school. On Tuesday, Armanti was sprinting past defensive backs and juking defenders out of their shorts, showing the playmaking ability that has so many colleges at his doorstep.
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Now that spring ball has started, ESPN 150 defensive tackle Gerald Willis III has been inundated with interest from college recruiters visiting New Orleans Edna Karr High School. He expected that.
That’s why, even if he’s comfortable with naming his top four schools, his list remains a fluid one. New schools are working hard to get in the mix, and Willis is ready to hit the road for more visits this summer.
That’s why, even if he’s comfortable with naming his top four schools, his list remains a fluid one. New schools are working hard to get in the mix, and Willis is ready to hit the road for more visits this summer.
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Plenty of Division I talent has walked through the doors at Houston Cypress Ridge since the school opened in the mid-2000s, and that continues to this year.
One of the Rams' younger prospects already getting looks from colleges is 2015 receiver Kemah Siverand.
One of the Rams' younger prospects already getting looks from colleges is 2015 receiver Kemah Siverand.
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For Navarro College offensive tackle Carter Wall, the ideal scenario would be to finish his college football career in the Lone Star State.
He has at least one option to do so at the moment, but there are two programs in particular that he'd especially be interested in, if the opportunity arose.
He has at least one option to do so at the moment, but there are two programs in particular that he'd especially be interested in, if the opportunity arose.
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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."
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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."
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Schools inquiring about 2016 Texas DB
April, 29, 2013
Apr 29
10:00
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By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
There is a lot a young defensive back can learn through repetitions against an older sibling or friend. But it's just not going to have the same effect as, say, going up against an NFL wide receiver.
The talent gap was extreme, but Bailey Phillips already was well versed in going up against older wide receivers. He wasn't going to shy away from Pittsburgh Steelers rookie Emmanuel Sanders during a workout back in 2010, the summer before Sanders left for training camp.
The talent gap was extreme, but Bailey Phillips already was well versed in going up against older wide receivers. He wasn't going to shy away from Pittsburgh Steelers rookie Emmanuel Sanders during a workout back in 2010, the summer before Sanders left for training camp.
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THE WOODLANDS, Texas — For the first half of the 2012 season, The Woodlands (Texas) High School coach Mark Schmid and his staff were cautious with running back Patrick Carr.
Considering that he was just a sophomore who was in his first varsity season, they wanted to ease the 5-foot-8, 175-pound running back into life as the bell cow for a Texas Class 5A program. Ideally, they would have groomed Carr with a senior starter in front of him, but that plan went out the window when their senior his ACL in spring football and would have to miss the year.
Considering that he was just a sophomore who was in his first varsity season, they wanted to ease the 5-foot-8, 175-pound running back into life as the bell cow for a Texas Class 5A program. Ideally, they would have groomed Carr with a senior starter in front of him, but that plan went out the window when their senior his ACL in spring football and would have to miss the year.
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Methodical approach for 5-star DE Garrett
April, 23, 2013
Apr 23
1:00
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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.
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Offer changes timeline for 2015 DT Mack
April, 22, 2013
Apr 22
4:00
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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.
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ESPN 150 ATH Harvey getting comfortable
April, 22, 2013
Apr 22
2:00
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By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
RICHMOND, Texas -- The first few weeks away from home weren't easy for Nick Harvey. The desire to be back in familiar surroundings in the Dallas area, with his Lancaster (Texas) High School teammates, was strong.
Slowly, but surely, the ESPN 150 athlete is getting comfortable in his new surroundings. With track season winding down and spring football about to get cranked up at Harvey's new home, Richmond (Texas) Travis High, he's smiling more, laughing more and building a bond with the teammates he'll suit up with this fall.
"I'm feeling better," said Harvey, a Texas A&M commitment. "Everything's going good school-wise. They're slowly becoming my brothers and the coaches are pretty cool so everything is going good."
Slowly, but surely, the ESPN 150 athlete is getting comfortable in his new surroundings. With track season winding down and spring football about to get cranked up at Harvey's new home, Richmond (Texas) Travis High, he's smiling more, laughing more and building a bond with the teammates he'll suit up with this fall.
"I'm feeling better," said Harvey, a Texas A&M commitment. "Everything's going good school-wise. They're slowly becoming my brothers and the coaches are pretty cool so everything is going good."
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ESPN 150 DE Thomas pondering decision
April, 22, 2013
Apr 22
10:30
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By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
ESPN 150 defensive end Solomon Thomas (Coppell, Texas/Coppell) is about as unassuming a high-profile recruit as one will come across.
He doesn’t get tangled up in the vastness of recruiting. He's not one to openly speak of his achievements. He’s also not one to rush a decision as important as his commitment to the college program of his choice.
Go ahead and ask him where he’s going or who he’s favoring and you’ll get an answer you’d swear was stuck on loop.
He doesn’t get tangled up in the vastness of recruiting. He's not one to openly speak of his achievements. He’s also not one to rush a decision as important as his commitment to the college program of his choice.
Go ahead and ask him where he’s going or who he’s favoring and you’ll get an answer you’d swear was stuck on loop.
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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.