Football Recruiting - Midlands Region: Darius James
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Bold Prediction for the Big 12: Kliff Kingsbury saw a lot of success as offensive coordinator at Texas A&M. He’ll see similar success as head coach at Texas Tech.
Baylor
Biggest Need: Offensive linemen to protect the talented skill-position players.
Biggest Recruit: ESPN 150 receiver Robbie Rhodes (Fort Worth, Texas/Southwest) has the tools to be not only a starter but also an all-conference player as a freshman.
Iowa State
Biggest Need: With only one commit at the position, the Cyclones need linebackers.
Biggest Recruit: Four-star offensive tackle Shawn Curtis (Orlando, Fla./Olympia), at 6-foot-6 and 270 pounds, should be a future leader for the Cyclones’ offensive line.
Kansas
Biggest Need: The Jayhawks need a running back or two.
Biggest Recruit: Juco defensive tackle Marquel Combs (Memphis, Tenn./Pierce College) is the No. 3 junior college prospect in the country for a reason. He’s a run-stopper.
Kansas State
Biggest Need: Running back, just like its Sunflower State counterpart.
Biggest Recruit: Linebacker Nick Ramirez (Lee’s Summit, Mo./Lee’s Summit West) is the only four-star commit, but three-star junior college quarterback Jake Waters (Council Bluffs, Iowa/Iowa Western Community College) might be the sleeper of the class.
Oklahoma
Biggest Need: Linebacker is a huge necessity.
Biggest Recruit: If ESPN 150 running back Keith Ford (Cypress, Texas/Cypress Ranch) stays healthy, he could have a promising college career -- which could lead to an NFL opportunity.
Oklahoma State
Biggest Need: The Cowboys need help at quarterback and linebacker.
Biggest Recruit: ESPN 300 receivers Ra’Shaad Samples (Dallas/Skyline) and Marcell Ateman (Wylie, Texas/Wylie East) bring different dynamics but similar results to the football field.
TCU
Biggest Need: Playmaking wide receivers.
Biggest Recruit: ESPN 300 running back Kyle Hicks (Arlington, Texas/Martin) has the potential to be outstanding, but three-star athlete Ty Slanina (East Bernard, Texas/East Bernard) could be stellar at several spots.
Texas
Biggest Need: While Texas is strong on the offensive line, it needs defensive linemen.
Biggest Recruit: ESPN 150 center Darius James (Killeen, Texas/Harker Heights) leads a very talented class of Longhorns offensive linemen.
Texas Tech
Biggest Need: The Red Raiders could use more defensive tackles.
Biggest Recruit: Quarterback Davis Webb (Prosper, Texas/Prosper), an Elite 11 finalist last summer, could be special under the wing of Kliff Kingsbury.
West Virginia
Biggest Need: Players in the secondary.
Biggest Recruit: ESPN 300 inside linebacker Darrien Howard (Dayton, Ohio/Chaminade-Julienne) has the tools to shut down a lot of plays before they even get started.
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Bold Prediction for the Big 12: Kliff Kingsbury saw a lot of success as offensive coordinator at Texas A&M. He’ll see similar success as head coach at Texas Tech.
Baylor
Biggest Need: Offensive linemen to protect the talented skill-position players.
Biggest Recruit: ESPN 150 receiver Robbie Rhodes (Fort Worth, Texas/Southwest) has the tools to be not only a starter but also an all-conference player as a freshman.
Iowa State
Biggest Need: With only one commit at the position, the Cyclones need linebackers.
Biggest Recruit: Four-star offensive tackle Shawn Curtis (Orlando, Fla./Olympia), at 6-foot-6 and 270 pounds, should be a future leader for the Cyclones’ offensive line.
Kansas
Biggest Need: The Jayhawks need a running back or two.
Biggest Recruit: Juco defensive tackle Marquel Combs (Memphis, Tenn./Pierce College) is the No. 3 junior college prospect in the country for a reason. He’s a run-stopper.
Kansas State
Biggest Need: Running back, just like its Sunflower State counterpart.
Biggest Recruit: Linebacker Nick Ramirez (Lee’s Summit, Mo./Lee’s Summit West) is the only four-star commit, but three-star junior college quarterback Jake Waters (Council Bluffs, Iowa/Iowa Western Community College) might be the sleeper of the class.
Oklahoma
Biggest Need: Linebacker is a huge necessity.
Biggest Recruit: If ESPN 150 running back Keith Ford (Cypress, Texas/Cypress Ranch) stays healthy, he could have a promising college career -- which could lead to an NFL opportunity.
Oklahoma State
Biggest Need: The Cowboys need help at quarterback and linebacker.
Biggest Recruit: ESPN 300 receivers Ra’Shaad Samples (Dallas/Skyline) and Marcell Ateman (Wylie, Texas/Wylie East) bring different dynamics but similar results to the football field.
TCU
Biggest Need: Playmaking wide receivers.
Biggest Recruit: ESPN 300 running back Kyle Hicks (Arlington, Texas/Martin) has the potential to be outstanding, but three-star athlete Ty Slanina (East Bernard, Texas/East Bernard) could be stellar at several spots.
Texas
Biggest Need: While Texas is strong on the offensive line, it needs defensive linemen.
Biggest Recruit: ESPN 150 center Darius James (Killeen, Texas/Harker Heights) leads a very talented class of Longhorns offensive linemen.
Texas Tech
Biggest Need: The Red Raiders could use more defensive tackles.
Biggest Recruit: Quarterback Davis Webb (Prosper, Texas/Prosper), an Elite 11 finalist last summer, could be special under the wing of Kliff Kingsbury.
West Virginia
Biggest Need: Players in the secondary.
Biggest Recruit: ESPN 300 inside linebacker Darrien Howard (Dayton, Ohio/Chaminade-Julienne) has the tools to shut down a lot of plays before they even get started.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- There were several standouts at Tuesday's Day 2 practice for the Under Armour All-America Game (5 p.m. ET Friday, ESPN). Two players -- one for Team Nitro, the other for Team Highlight -- said they are closing in on their college decisions and will make their announcements Friday. Meanwhile, the nation's No. 1 player left the field at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports with an injury.
Folston closing in on decision
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Q&A: LB Naashon Hughes talks scholarship 
December, 18, 2012
12/18/12
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By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
Outside linebacker Naashon Hughes (Harker Heights, Texas/Harker Heights) was prepared to grayshirt to stay with Texas and be near his brother, Camrhon Hughes, a redshirt freshman offensive tackle, and best friend Darius James, a fellow 2013 commitment.
He understood that he would have had to sit out the 2013 season and enroll at Texas in January 2014, essentially missing out on his true freshman year.
So when he and most of Texas’ 2013 commitments collectively took their official visits the weekend of Dec. 7, he was just looking to spend time with them and soak up the fun. It could have been the last time he saw all of them together for a while.
He understood that he would have had to sit out the 2013 season and enroll at Texas in January 2014, essentially missing out on his true freshman year.
So when he and most of Texas’ 2013 commitments collectively took their official visits the weekend of Dec. 7, he was just looking to spend time with them and soak up the fun. It could have been the last time he saw all of them together for a while.
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Darius James impressed on official visit
December, 9, 2012
12/09/12
3:15
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Max Olson | ESPN.com
Darius James came away from his official visit to Texas as impressed as ever with the school he’s been committed to since March.
The Longhorns’ top-ranked commit, from Harker Heights, Texas, was one of 10 Texas pledges who visited Austin from Friday through Sunday. The trip only further solidified his commitment.
“It was just what I thought it was when I committed,” James said. “This made it feel like home.”
The Longhorns’ top-ranked commit, from Harker Heights, Texas, was one of 10 Texas pledges who visited Austin from Friday through Sunday. The trip only further solidified his commitment.
“It was just what I thought it was when I committed,” James said. “This made it feel like home.”
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Texas RB commit Kyle Hicks tears ACL
November, 19, 2012
11/19/12
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William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
If there is one thing you can say about Longhorns running back commitment Kyle Hicks (Arlington, Texas/Martin) it’s that he is as tough as they come.
For the second time in two seasons Hicks has suffered a serious injury at the end of his football season, the latest is a tear of his left ACL and meniscus.
Hicks said he was injured on Oct. 26 in a 42-21 win over Arlington Lamar, but that he didn’t do the most damage until two weeks later in a 44-26 loss to Arlington Bowie.
For the second time in two seasons Hicks has suffered a serious injury at the end of his football season, the latest is a tear of his left ACL and meniscus.
Hicks said he was injured on Oct. 26 in a 42-21 win over Arlington Lamar, but that he didn’t do the most damage until two weeks later in a 44-26 loss to Arlington Bowie.
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Texas offensive line commit Darius James (Harker Heights, Texas/Harker Heights) suffered a broken left foot on Thursday night, Harker Heights coach Mike Mullins told HornsNation.
James, who is No. 17 in the ESPN 150, will have surgery on the foot Wednesday and is expected to be out six to eight weeks.
He injured his foot near the end of the second quarter of Harker Heights’ 18-3 loss to Round Rock Stony Point when an opposing player stepped on his foot.
James recorded a sack on the final play of the half, but he returned from the locker room for the second half in street clothes and on crutches.
ESPN’s No. 1 ranked center prospect initially told HornsNation he didn’t think the injury was serious and said he was being held out for precautionary reasons.
James broke a bone in his right foot during the summer but has fully recovered from that injury. He recorded two sacks on Thursday night while playing defensive end.
An Under Armour All-American, James is Texas’ top-rated verbal commitment for its 2013 recruiting class and the state's No. 2 prospect.
James, who is No. 17 in the ESPN 150, will have surgery on the foot Wednesday and is expected to be out six to eight weeks.
He injured his foot near the end of the second quarter of Harker Heights’ 18-3 loss to Round Rock Stony Point when an opposing player stepped on his foot.
James recorded a sack on the final play of the half, but he returned from the locker room for the second half in street clothes and on crutches.
ESPN’s No. 1 ranked center prospect initially told HornsNation he didn’t think the injury was serious and said he was being held out for precautionary reasons.
James broke a bone in his right foot during the summer but has fully recovered from that injury. He recorded two sacks on Thursday night while playing defensive end.
An Under Armour All-American, James is Texas’ top-rated verbal commitment for its 2013 recruiting class and the state's No. 2 prospect.
Under Armour All-American Darius James (Harker Heights, Texas/Harker Heights) is football recruiting’s No. 1 center in the country. This past weekend, he was aiming to be AAU basketball’s No. 1 center.
The Texas commit was spotted in Bryan, Texas, competing in an AAU tournament with ATX, a team of central Texas basketball players from the 2013 and 2014 classes. James doesn’t have plans of playing basketball in college, but he said the summer workout regimen assists in him getting ready to play on the Longhorns’ offensive line.
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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.
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Darius James ready to see Oklahoma again
February, 23, 2012
2/23/12
3:47
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By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Two-way lineman Darius James (Harker Heights, Texas/Harker Heights) has heard it before. When you go to Texas’ junior day and get an offer, you’re supposed to commit.
James received the offer from the Longhorns, but he didn’t pull the trigger on the commitment. Instead, he has opted to let the process play out, at least for now.
That decision is good news for Oklahoma fans as James has an OU offer and is scheduled to attend OU’s second junior day March 3.
James received the offer from the Longhorns, but he didn’t pull the trigger on the commitment. Instead, he has opted to let the process play out, at least for now.
That decision is good news for Oklahoma fans as James has an OU offer and is scheduled to attend OU’s second junior day March 3.
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Darius James impressed Texas offer
February, 12, 2012
2/12/12
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By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
The Longhorns have long been one of Darius James top schools, and they did nothing but improve their stock after the versatile lineman from Harker Heights, Texas, attended his first junior day on Sunday.
“It went real good. I saw a lot of people and saw a lot of things I like,” he said. “I didn’t see anything I didn’t like. It was really fun.”
James was one of the first players to get offered by Mack Brown after the recruits had breakfast. Texas joined an offer sheet that already included Baylor, Texas A&M, and Tulsa.
“It went real good. I saw a lot of people and saw a lot of things I like,” he said. “I didn’t see anything I didn’t like. It was really fun.”
James was one of the first players to get offered by Mack Brown after the recruits had breakfast. Texas joined an offer sheet that already included Baylor, Texas A&M, and Tulsa.
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Naashon Hughes not offered at junior day
February, 12, 2012
2/12/12
6:59
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By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
It appears as though the Longhorns are going to take their time recruiting the linebacker position for 2013.
Having just signed four in the 2012 class, Texas only had one linebacker attend its first junior day on Sunday in Naashon Hughes (Harker Heights, Texas/Harker Heights). He was not offered.
“[Manny Diaz] and I talked about offers and all of that,” Hughes said. “Right now they haven’t offered anyone at my position and that I was probably their No. 1 guy if they did take anybody.”
Having just signed four in the 2012 class, Texas only had one linebacker attend its first junior day on Sunday in Naashon Hughes (Harker Heights, Texas/Harker Heights). He was not offered.
“[Manny Diaz] and I talked about offers and all of that,” Hughes said. “Right now they haven’t offered anyone at my position and that I was probably their No. 1 guy if they did take anybody.”
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RECRUITING NATION MIDLANDS COVERAGE
The Midlands Region consists of the states of Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and
Texas and is where Big 12 programs make a living recruiting. However, with the deep talent pool in the Lone Star State, teams from all over the country flock to the Midlands to find players.
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MIDLANDS RECRUITING CONTRIBUTORS
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