Running back Bryan Driskell (McKinney, Texas/Boyd) normally is an even-keeled person, but his collected nature was replaced by jubilation on Tuesday.
Driskell picked up his first offer as Navy extended a scholarship. The 5-foot-8, 178-pound scatback and special teams standout was offered by Navy receivers coach Mick Yokitis, as the Navy coaching staff visited the Boyd campus Tuesday afternoon.
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He hasn’t even completed his sophomore year of high school, but Braden Smith (Olathe, Kan./Olathe South) is already a highly sought-after offensive tackle recruit. At 6-foot-6, 265 pounds, Smith has room to grow but has already shown enough to earn early offers from Oklahoma, Michigan, Ohio State, Stanford, Nebraska and others.
“He’s the best player I’ve ever seen as an offensive or defensive linemen,” Olathe South coach Jeff Gourley said. “I’ve coached for 27 years, I’ve never seen anybody like him, even on the ESPN high school game of the week ... Florida, Texas, there’s nobody in the country like him.”
The Sooners recognized the talent of the class of 2014 prospect early in the process.
“He’s the best player I’ve ever seen as an offensive or defensive linemen,” Olathe South coach Jeff Gourley said. “I’ve coached for 27 years, I’ve never seen anybody like him, even on the ESPN high school game of the week ... Florida, Texas, there’s nobody in the country like him.”
The Sooners recognized the talent of the class of 2014 prospect early in the process.
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Texas finding pieces that fit in recruiting 
May, 15, 2012
May 15
9:30
AM ET
By
Carter Strickland | ESPN.com
AUSTIN, Texas -- By now Texas usually has all its cards fanned out on the table.
It is mid-May after all. The Longhorns typically have a royal flush of recruits or something close to it by the time triple digits arrive on central Texas thermostats.
In fact, from 2007-2011, 72 percent of Texas recruits had pledged their allegiance by the end of February. This year 11, of what is expected to be a class of somewhere around 20-22, have committed.
It is mid-May after all. The Longhorns typically have a royal flush of recruits or something close to it by the time triple digits arrive on central Texas thermostats.
In fact, from 2007-2011, 72 percent of Texas recruits had pledged their allegiance by the end of February. This year 11, of what is expected to be a class of somewhere around 20-22, have committed.
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The wait is over for Richard Lagow (Plano, Texas/Plano).
After months of putting in work on the Plano practice fields, Lagow scored his first offer Monday night, as Connecticut extended a scholarship to him. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound quarterback was offered by UConn running backs coach Clayton White.
“It’s unbelievable. I’m so grateful for it,” Lagow said. “It just feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I know it’s just a beginning, but it’s a good start.”
In his first season as a starting quarterback, Lagow threw for 1,646 yards and 13 touchdowns for Plano. In addition to the UConn offer, Lagow has been receiving interest from Rutgers, Texas Tech, Houston and Arizona State.
After months of putting in work on the Plano practice fields, Lagow scored his first offer Monday night, as Connecticut extended a scholarship to him. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound quarterback was offered by UConn running backs coach Clayton White.
“It’s unbelievable. I’m so grateful for it,” Lagow said. “It just feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I know it’s just a beginning, but it’s a good start.”
In his first season as a starting quarterback, Lagow threw for 1,646 yards and 13 touchdowns for Plano. In addition to the UConn offer, Lagow has been receiving interest from Rutgers, Texas Tech, Houston and Arizona State.
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FRISCO, Texas – Four-star wide receiver and Texas A&M commit Derrick Griffin (Rosenberg, Texas/Terry), a projected tight end in college, is the top-ranked hybrid tight end in the 2013 class for a reason. His speed, athleticism, playmaking ability and overall bounce highlight his football résumé.
However, those same categories also make Griffin equally dangerous on the basketball court. At 6-foot-7 and 220 pounds, Griffin was a go-to player for Terry's basketball team and currently is a key contributor on his AAU team, the Houston Hoops.
So which route does he go: football or basketball? Terry has aspirations of playing both when he arrives at College Station.
However, those same categories also make Griffin equally dangerous on the basketball court. At 6-foot-7 and 220 pounds, Griffin was a go-to player for Terry's basketball team and currently is a key contributor on his AAU team, the Houston Hoops.
So which route does he go: football or basketball? Terry has aspirations of playing both when he arrives at College Station.
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Outside linebacker Raaquan Davis (Heath, Texas/Rockwall-Heath) confirmed Monday morning that he has given Baylor his verbal commitment.
A four-star prospect, Davis became the Bears’ eighth overall commitment. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound junior chose Baylor over an offer from Colorado and interest from Oklahoma, SMU and Texas A&M.
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If Nick Watkins (Dallas/Bishop Dunne), a 6-foot-1, 180-pound sophomore cornerback, doesn’t receive another offer throughout his recruiting process, he’d be quite content. Watkins has offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Texas A&M, SMU and Tulsa. Texas A&M was the latest school to offer last week.
“It feels great, and I just want to thank God for giving me the ability to produce on the field,” Watkins said. “I can’t put it into words how thankful I am. It’s been great with my family being behind me and my brother and dad pushing me to be the best.”
Watkins finished the 2011 season with 49 tackles and six pass breakups. He also had five interceptions, returning two for touchdowns. Watkins also saw partial time at wide receiver for Bishop Dunne.
“It feels great, and I just want to thank God for giving me the ability to produce on the field,” Watkins said. “I can’t put it into words how thankful I am. It’s been great with my family being behind me and my brother and dad pushing me to be the best.”
Watkins finished the 2011 season with 49 tackles and six pass breakups. He also had five interceptions, returning two for touchdowns. Watkins also saw partial time at wide receiver for Bishop Dunne.
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A new school has entered the top five of safety Kameron Miles (Mesquite, Texas/West Mesquite).
The four-star defensive back picked up an offer from Penn State on Friday, and the Nittany Lions have moved into his final list of schools. A 6-foot-2, 205-pound safety, Miles said Penn State’s football prestige and its fresh start from past turmoil makes it an intriguing offer.
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Connor Potts (El Paso, Texas/Franklin), at 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds, is a bull at offensive tackle. After Thursday’s announcement of teammate and right tackle Derek Elmendorff verbally committing to UTEP, many are now wondering where the bull will end up in college.
Potts said he’s been in contact with Tulsa and San Diego State – in addition to UTEP. He’s hoping that the Nike Football Training Camp next weekend in Oakland, Calif., and a Next Level Camp the week after in Austin will assist in his rising recruiting process.
“Things are starting to pick up,” Potts said. I got a call from Tulsa last week, and I’ve been talking to the San Diego State coaches. Those two schools have been pretty serious.”
Potts said he’s been in contact with Tulsa and San Diego State – in addition to UTEP. He’s hoping that the Nike Football Training Camp next weekend in Oakland, Calif., and a Next Level Camp the week after in Austin will assist in his rising recruiting process.
“Things are starting to pick up,” Potts said. I got a call from Tulsa last week, and I’ve been talking to the San Diego State coaches. Those two schools have been pretty serious.”
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Defensive end Dimarya Mixon (Mesquite, Texas/West Mesquite) picked up his very first offer from Arizona State in February. Sometimes, it’s good to be the first team knocking on a door.
Mixon announced Thursday that he has verbally committed to play for the Sun Devils. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound bookend chose Arizona State – and new coach Todd Graham – over offers from Ole Miss, Washington State, Colorado and several other schools. Arizona State and Ole Miss made his final list, and he decided to go with the Pac-12 over the SEC.
“I felt like they were the ones who really stuck with me,” Mixon said. “When I looked at the program, I liked what they have going for them.”
Mixon announced Thursday that he has verbally committed to play for the Sun Devils. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound bookend chose Arizona State – and new coach Todd Graham – over offers from Ole Miss, Washington State, Colorado and several other schools. Arizona State and Ole Miss made his final list, and he decided to go with the Pac-12 over the SEC.
“I felt like they were the ones who really stuck with me,” Mixon said. “When I looked at the program, I liked what they have going for them.”
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When Derek Elmendorff (El Paso, Texas/Franklin) first committed to UTEP a few days back, he did so with the idea of fulfilling several wishes.
First, he wanted to play at a Division I program. Second, he wanted to play close to home.
The bonus in giving a verbal pledge to UTEP for the 6-foot-4, 286-pound offensive tackle was that he’s the program’s first commitment of the 2013 class.
First, he wanted to play at a Division I program. Second, he wanted to play close to home.
The bonus in giving a verbal pledge to UTEP for the 6-foot-4, 286-pound offensive tackle was that he’s the program’s first commitment of the 2013 class.
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Eric Beisel (Fenton, Mo./Rockwood Summit) is considered one of the top defensive players in Missouri. As he narrows down his choices, he’s being entertained not only by college coaches but also the football peers around him.
Of Missouri’s 12 commits, nine hail from the state of Missouri. The majority of the commits have been in contact with Beisel, trying to sway the 6-foot-3, 230-pound inside linebacker into joining the Tigers and playing in the SEC.
“They all have been recruiting me pretty hard, especially [Lee’s Summit (Mo.) West inside linebacker] Nick Ramirez,” Beisel said. “I don’t give into peer pressure very easily, but I will say it would be cool to play with those guys.
Of Missouri’s 12 commits, nine hail from the state of Missouri. The majority of the commits have been in contact with Beisel, trying to sway the 6-foot-3, 230-pound inside linebacker into joining the Tigers and playing in the SEC.
“They all have been recruiting me pretty hard, especially [Lee’s Summit (Mo.) West inside linebacker] Nick Ramirez,” Beisel said. “I don’t give into peer pressure very easily, but I will say it would be cool to play with those guys.
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Coach: Dontre Wilson eyeing six schools
May, 10, 2012
May 10
2:27
PM ET
By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
DeSoto coach Claude Mathis just told me ESPN 150 athlete Dontre Wilson doesn't have a top two and is still trying to narrow down his top 6 schools.
The schools he told me are Texas, Oregon, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M.
Personally, I think Oregon and Texas are his favorites in that order. I know the distance is a concern to him in going to Oregon, but that could be something he chooses to accept if Texas doesn't dangle something more appealing than a "DJ Monroe" -type roll in front of his face. He is not happy about that.
Wilson will be competing in the 4x100 and 4x200 relays at the state track meet this weekend alongside Bryson Echols. Wilson is expected to announce his decision at DeSoto's spring game on May 25.
The schools he told me are Texas, Oregon, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M.
Personally, I think Oregon and Texas are his favorites in that order. I know the distance is a concern to him in going to Oregon, but that could be something he chooses to accept if Texas doesn't dangle something more appealing than a "DJ Monroe" -type roll in front of his face. He is not happy about that.
Wilson will be competing in the 4x100 and 4x200 relays at the state track meet this weekend alongside Bryson Echols. Wilson is expected to announce his decision at DeSoto's spring game on May 25.
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Three-star offensive tackle Jake Campos (West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley) confirmed Thursday morning that he has verbally committed to Missouri.
A 6-foot-7, 250-pound tackle, Campos chose Missouri over offers from Iowa State and Iowa. Campos also had offers from Oregon, Kansas State, Illinois and a few other programs.
Recruited by offensive line coaches Bruce Walker and Josh Henson, Campos said his decision came down to one thing.
A 6-foot-7, 250-pound tackle, Campos chose Missouri over offers from Iowa State and Iowa. Campos also had offers from Oregon, Kansas State, Illinois and a few other programs.
Recruited by offensive line coaches Bruce Walker and Josh Henson, Campos said his decision came down to one thing.
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Rising athlete Lamar Jordan (Frisco, Texas/Centennial) picked up an offer from Rice on Wednesday, his third offer overall.
Recruited by Rice tight ends coach David Sloan, Jordan is a true athlete at Centennial. A 5-foot-11, 180-pound junior with 4.53 speed in the 40-yard dash, Jordan is being recruited as a cornerback, despite lining up for Centennial as a dual-threat quarterback and admitting that his natural position is wide receiver. He’s playing quarterback for the Titans out of necessity.
“[Sloan] was informing me that the defensive coordinators and defensive backs coach [Chris Thurmond] was evaluating my film, and he loved my film. I have a cousin who stays in Houston, and my friend, [freshman cornerback] Malcolm Hill plays there. A place like Rice would fit me well.”
Jordan also has received interest from FBS schools SMU, Tulsa, Arkansas, as well as FCS power Sam Houston State. He threw for 2,422 yards and 24 touchdowns and rushed for 920 yards and 11 touchdowns during the 2011 season. Jordan led Centennial in both passing and rushing yards.
Recruited by Rice tight ends coach David Sloan, Jordan is a true athlete at Centennial. A 5-foot-11, 180-pound junior with 4.53 speed in the 40-yard dash, Jordan is being recruited as a cornerback, despite lining up for Centennial as a dual-threat quarterback and admitting that his natural position is wide receiver. He’s playing quarterback for the Titans out of necessity.
“[Sloan] was informing me that the defensive coordinators and defensive backs coach [Chris Thurmond] was evaluating my film, and he loved my film. I have a cousin who stays in Houston, and my friend, [freshman cornerback] Malcolm Hill plays there. A place like Rice would fit me well.”
Jordan also has received interest from FBS schools SMU, Tulsa, Arkansas, as well as FCS power Sam Houston State. He threw for 2,422 yards and 24 touchdowns and rushed for 920 yards and 11 touchdowns during the 2011 season. Jordan led Centennial in both passing and rushing yards.
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ABOUT THE MIDLANDS
Damon Sayles
Damon Sayles joined ESPN in 2011 and covers Midlands recruiting for ESPN Recruiting. Sayles has lived in the Dallas area since 2000, where he has covered high school sports and recruiting in Texas. He can be reached at dsaylesespn@gmail.com.
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