Players to watch: Harker Heights (Texas) 

HARKER HEIGHTS, Texas -- ESPN 150 offensive lineman Darius James (Harker Heights, Texas) is the nation’s top-ranked center. The Texas commit is ranked No. 19 among all players and knows that he will be called upon to be a leader for a team that just missed the Texas Class 5A playoffs last season.

James, however, is the first to say that all eyes should not be on him as the 2012 season inches closer. Head coach Mike Mullins and his staff will be looking at these four athletes to put Harker Heights back into the postseason.

• LB Naashon Hughes: The Texas commit once again will be a two-way contributor for Harker Heights. While he may see time in offensive sets at the tight end spot, his natural spot will be at outside linebacker. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound junior turned down offers from LSU, South Carolina and Baylor to play at Texas alongside older brother Camrhon Hughes, a 2012 offensive tackle.
• DB Tyrel Stokes: Coaches at Harker Heights like to describe Stokes as “the fast guy who hits like a truck.” Standing 6 foot and weighing 170 pounds, Stokes is a first-team, all-district safety who is getting early looks from UTSA. Stokes consistently runs the 40-yard dash in low 4.5 seconds. All eyes will be on the junior this summer as he looks to raise his stock.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider