Football Recruiting - Midlands Region: Robert Castaneda
Since committing to Kansas State on March 7, Round Rock (Texas) High School offensive lineman Robert Castaneda has enjoyed what he considers an unexpected boost in his recruitment.
The 6-foot-5, 318-pound lineman knows committing to the Wildcats might’ve been just what he needed to finally start getting noticed by big-time schools. Several have passed through Round Rock in the past month, including Texas offensive coordinator Major Applewhite.
Does Castaneda have interest in the Longhorns? Would an offer sway the local three-star prospect? That and more in this week’s Q&A.
The 6-foot-5, 318-pound lineman knows committing to the Wildcats might’ve been just what he needed to finally start getting noticed by big-time schools. Several have passed through Round Rock in the past month, including Texas offensive coordinator Major Applewhite.
Does Castaneda have interest in the Longhorns? Would an offer sway the local three-star prospect? That and more in this week’s Q&A.
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Although committed to Kansas State, offensive tackle Robert Castaneda (Round Rock, Texas/Round Rock) ultimately will have a big decision to make.
After taking in the Texas Tech spring game -- an experience he gave the highest marks -- Castaneda said the Red Raiders are high on his recruiting list. Castaneda was one of the estimated 16,000-plus in attendance in Lubbock, Texas, for Saturday’s game, and he, his father and his younger brother all enjoyed the atmosphere and being around coaches and past, present and future Red Raiders.
After taking in the Texas Tech spring game -- an experience he gave the highest marks -- Castaneda said the Red Raiders are high on his recruiting list. Castaneda was one of the estimated 16,000-plus in attendance in Lubbock, Texas, for Saturday’s game, and he, his father and his younger brother all enjoyed the atmosphere and being around coaches and past, present and future Red Raiders.
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Robert Castaneda enjoyed Friday on a relaxing beach in Port Arthur, Texas. Minimal time on a cellphone or tablet, and nothing but the sounds of water and sand meeting on occasion. For Castaneda, there were no worries whatsoever.
It was the perfect way for the Round Rock, Texas, offensive lineman to celebrate his most recent accomplishment. Castaneda verbally committed to Kansas State late Thursday. He was the Wildcats’ second commitment of the 2014 class, but after Friday, he was the first of two weekend pledges.
Castaneda, a 6-foot-5, 304-pound offensive tackle, chose Kansas State over an offer from Texas Tech and interest from Baylor and Texas A&M, among other programs. While he said he was high on the Wildcats, Castaneda texted Friday evening that he’d still listen to programs that showed interest.
It was the perfect way for the Round Rock, Texas, offensive lineman to celebrate his most recent accomplishment. Castaneda verbally committed to Kansas State late Thursday. He was the Wildcats’ second commitment of the 2014 class, but after Friday, he was the first of two weekend pledges.
Castaneda, a 6-foot-5, 304-pound offensive tackle, chose Kansas State over an offer from Texas Tech and interest from Baylor and Texas A&M, among other programs. While he said he was high on the Wildcats, Castaneda texted Friday evening that he’d still listen to programs that showed interest.
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Dalton Risner (Wiggins, Colo./Wiggins), at 6-foot-4 and 290 pounds, is one of those athletes who can play anywhere on the offensive line. He intends on showing his athleticism in the Big 12.
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Houston SPARQ All-Combine team
February, 26, 2013
Feb 26
11:04
AM ET
By Brian Stumpf | Special to ESPN.com
SHENANDOAH, Texas -- Over 1,430 athletes gathered on Feb. 23 at Woodforest Bank Stadium for the Houston stop of the Nike Football SPARQ Combine tour. Here is a look at the 25 standout performers who make up the Houston All-Combine team.
Note: Selections are based upon combine performance as well as past and projected on-field performance. Athletes must have completed two of the four combine tests to be eligible for selection. Athletes are in the Class of 2014 unless otherwise noted.
OFFENSE
QB: Michael Haywood, 5-foot-11, 178 pounds, Houston Westside
Results: 4.73 40-yard dash, 4.47 shuttle, 33-foot power ball, 30.9-inch vertical jump, 76.23 SPARQ
Breakdown: Accounted for 31 TDs to earn District 20-5A Co-MVP honors as a junior.
RB: Rodney Anderson (2015), 6-0 ½, 196, Katy (Texas) High
Results: 4.63 40, 4.13 shuttle, 35.5’ PB, 36.9” VJ, 109.29 SPARQ
Breakdown: Star junior-to-be scored 26 times for the state champion Tigers last season.
RB: Vic Enwere, 6-0 ½, 210, Sugar Land (Texas) Ft. Bend Austin
Results: 4.61 40, 4.31 shuttle, 38’ PB, 41.0” VJ, 120.51 SPARQ
Breakdown: Enwere rushed for 1,208 yards and 16 TDs in the fall. SMU, Rice, Colorado and Utah have offered.
RB: Forrest Town, 5-11, 187, Zachary (La.) High
Results: 4.55 40, 4.28 shuttle, 37’ PB, 40.0” VJ, 113.28 SPARQ
Breakdown: Ran for 945 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior.
WR: Morie Evans (2015), 5-11, 180, Huntsville (Texas) High
Results: 4.58 40, 4.34 shuttle, 34’ PB, 32.7” VJ, 90.96 SPARQ
Breakdown: TCU already has offered this speedy rising junior.
WR: Gabe Fuselier, 5-10, 175, New Iberia (La.) Catholic
Results: 4.45 40, 4.03 shuttle, 35’ PB, 34.9” VJ, 113.28 SPARQ
Breakdown: Repeat selection from New Orleans event upped his SPARQ Rating 12 points.
WR: Bobby Hartzog, 5-10 ½, 178, Houston Westside
Results: 4.49 40, 4.22 shuttle, 37’ PB, 37.4” VJ, 110.91 SPARQ
Breakdown: Caught 35 passes for 654 yards and nine scores to earn all-district in the fall.
TE: Dimitri Flowers, 6-2, 214, San Antonio Churchill
Results: 4.83 40, 4.59 shuttle, 40’ PB, 32.4” VJ, 92.49 SPARQ
Breakdown: Son of former NFL DL Erik Flowers scored 16 times as a junior.
OL: Ashmeed Ahamad, 6-1, 262, Deer Park (Texas) High
Results: 4.80 40, 4.75 shuttle, 32.5' PB, 23.3" VJ, 71.61 SPARQ
Breakdown: Will spend this summer looking to build off a strong 2012 season in which he was an All-District 21-5A selection.
OL: Robert Castaneda, 6-4.5, 304, Round Rock (Texas) High
Results: 5.38 40, 4.78 Shuttle, 41.0' PB, 25.2" VJ, 91.14 SPARQ
Breakdown: Came out of nowhere to post the highest SPARQ Rating for an OL thus far in 2013.
OL: Connor Lanfear (2015), 6-5, 261, Buda (Texas) Hays
Results: 5.54 40, 4.84 Shuttle, 35.0' PB, 31.4" VJ, 74.88 SPARQ
Breakdown: Sophomore starter for the 10-2 Rebels should be a major prospect in the Class of 2015.
OL: Toby Weathersby (2015), 6-4, 280, Houston Westfield
Results: 5.54 40, 5.15 Shuttle, 42.0' PB, 20.2" VJ, 71.52 SPARQ
Breakdown: Posted the top power ball toss of the day. Expected to be a big contributor next year for the Mustangs.
ATH: DeUnte Chatman (2015), 5-11 ½, 210, Houston Summer Creek
Results: 4.55 40, 4.47 shuttle, 37.5’ PB, 35.2” VJ, 104.61 SPARQ
Breakdown: Versatile H-back/tight end should be big weapon for Summer Creek next fall.
ATH: Reggie Turner, 5-7 ½, 151, Pasadena (Texas) Memorial
Results: 4.71 40, 4.09 shuttle, 36’ PB, 32.4” VJ, 92.22 SPARQ
Breakdown: Versatile threat was District 22-5A Co-MVP last fall, scoring 19 touchdowns.
DEFENSE
DL: Zach Vaughan, 6-4, 218, Austin (Texas) McNeil
Results: 4.79 40, 4.19 shuttle, 41’ PB, 32.6” VJ, 112.56 SPARQ
Breakdown: Colorado, Texas Tech, Houston and Rice are among Vaughan’s early offers.
DL: Justin Hollins, 6-5, 205, Arlington (Texas) Grace Prep Academy
Results: 4.67 40, 4.38 Shuttle, 36.0' PB, 33.9" VJ, 96.42 SPARQ
Breakdown: One of the more impressive physical prospects to come through the Houston event.
LB: Arthur McGinnis (2015), 6-2, 204, New Orleans Warren Easton
Results: 4.66 40, 4.44 shuttle, 36’ PB, 32.3” VJ, 92.04 SPARQ
Breakdown: Louisiana rising junior turned in his second strong Nike combine this offseason.
LB: Tobenna Okeke, 6-2, 186, Missouri City (Texas) Elkins
Results: 4.68 40, 4.37 shuttle, 38’ PB, 35.1” VJ, 98.82 SPARQ
Breakdown: Athletic linebacker was an All-District 23-5A pick in the fall.
LB: Micah Thomas, 6-0, 244, Cedar Park (Texas) Vista Ridge
Results: 4.96 40, 4.57 shuttle, 35’ PB, 34.3” VJ, 90.66 SPARQ
Breakdown: Big ‘backer had six sacks and four forced fumbles to earn all-area honors in 2012.
DB: Andrew Aneke, 5-11 ½, 177, Missouri City (Texas) Elkins
Results: 4.66 40, 4.26 shuttle, 38’ PB, 37.4” VJ, 104.73 SPARQ
Breakdown: Track standout showed up big time Saturday.
DB: Craig McWilliams, 5-11, 172, Pflugerville (Texas) High
Results: 4.58 40, 4.12 shuttle, 39.5’ PB, 37.2” VJ, 114.42 SPARQ
Breakdown: McWilliams put himself on the map with day’s second-best SPARQ Rating.
DB: Trai Mosley, 5-8, 163, Pflugerville (Texas) Hendrickson
Results: 4.63 40, 4.30 shuttle, 38’ PB, 36.6” VJ, 100.62
Breakdown: Physical corner totaled 34 tackles and three interceptions as a junior.
DB: Arrion Springs, 5-11, 185, San Antonio (Texas) Roosevelt
Results: 4.46 40, 4.12 shuttle, 33.5’ PB, 34.0” VJ, 107.07 SPARQ
Breakdown: Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Baylor and Vanderbilt are among Springs’ early offers.
DB: Marlon Walls, 5-9 ½, 182, Pearland (Texas) High
Results: 4.64 40, 4.09 shuttle, 34’ PB, 34.4” VJ, 100.95 SPARQ
Breakdown: Safety/outside linebacker earned second-team all-district in the fall.
DB: Jordan Washington, 5-11, 186, Pflugerville (Texas) Hendrickson
Results: 4.73 40, 4.22 shuttle, 39’ PB, 38.3” VJ, 108.72 SPARQ
Breakdown: Washington raised his SPARQ Rating 26 points from a year ago.
Note: Selections are based upon combine performance as well as past and projected on-field performance. Athletes must have completed two of the four combine tests to be eligible for selection. Athletes are in the Class of 2014 unless otherwise noted.
OFFENSE
QB: Michael Haywood, 5-foot-11, 178 pounds, Houston Westside
Results: 4.73 40-yard dash, 4.47 shuttle, 33-foot power ball, 30.9-inch vertical jump, 76.23 SPARQ
Breakdown: Accounted for 31 TDs to earn District 20-5A Co-MVP honors as a junior.
RB: Rodney Anderson (2015), 6-0 ½, 196, Katy (Texas) High
Results: 4.63 40, 4.13 shuttle, 35.5’ PB, 36.9” VJ, 109.29 SPARQ
Breakdown: Star junior-to-be scored 26 times for the state champion Tigers last season.
[+] Enlarge
Sam Khan Jr./ESPNSugar Land (Texas) Ft. Bend Austin RB Vic Enwere had a big day at the Houston SPARQ Combine, posting a 120.51 SPARQ Rating.
Sam Khan Jr./ESPNSugar Land (Texas) Ft. Bend Austin RB Vic Enwere had a big day at the Houston SPARQ Combine, posting a 120.51 SPARQ Rating.Results: 4.61 40, 4.31 shuttle, 38’ PB, 41.0” VJ, 120.51 SPARQ
Breakdown: Enwere rushed for 1,208 yards and 16 TDs in the fall. SMU, Rice, Colorado and Utah have offered.
RB: Forrest Town, 5-11, 187, Zachary (La.) High
Results: 4.55 40, 4.28 shuttle, 37’ PB, 40.0” VJ, 113.28 SPARQ
Breakdown: Ran for 945 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior.
WR: Morie Evans (2015), 5-11, 180, Huntsville (Texas) High
Results: 4.58 40, 4.34 shuttle, 34’ PB, 32.7” VJ, 90.96 SPARQ
Breakdown: TCU already has offered this speedy rising junior.
WR: Gabe Fuselier, 5-10, 175, New Iberia (La.) Catholic
Results: 4.45 40, 4.03 shuttle, 35’ PB, 34.9” VJ, 113.28 SPARQ
Breakdown: Repeat selection from New Orleans event upped his SPARQ Rating 12 points.
WR: Bobby Hartzog, 5-10 ½, 178, Houston Westside
Results: 4.49 40, 4.22 shuttle, 37’ PB, 37.4” VJ, 110.91 SPARQ
Breakdown: Caught 35 passes for 654 yards and nine scores to earn all-district in the fall.
TE: Dimitri Flowers, 6-2, 214, San Antonio Churchill
Results: 4.83 40, 4.59 shuttle, 40’ PB, 32.4” VJ, 92.49 SPARQ
Breakdown: Son of former NFL DL Erik Flowers scored 16 times as a junior.
OL: Ashmeed Ahamad, 6-1, 262, Deer Park (Texas) High
Results: 4.80 40, 4.75 shuttle, 32.5' PB, 23.3" VJ, 71.61 SPARQ
Breakdown: Will spend this summer looking to build off a strong 2012 season in which he was an All-District 21-5A selection.
OL: Robert Castaneda, 6-4.5, 304, Round Rock (Texas) High
Results: 5.38 40, 4.78 Shuttle, 41.0' PB, 25.2" VJ, 91.14 SPARQ
Breakdown: Came out of nowhere to post the highest SPARQ Rating for an OL thus far in 2013.
OL: Connor Lanfear (2015), 6-5, 261, Buda (Texas) Hays
Results: 5.54 40, 4.84 Shuttle, 35.0' PB, 31.4" VJ, 74.88 SPARQ
Breakdown: Sophomore starter for the 10-2 Rebels should be a major prospect in the Class of 2015.
OL: Toby Weathersby (2015), 6-4, 280, Houston Westfield
Results: 5.54 40, 5.15 Shuttle, 42.0' PB, 20.2" VJ, 71.52 SPARQ
Breakdown: Posted the top power ball toss of the day. Expected to be a big contributor next year for the Mustangs.
ATH: DeUnte Chatman (2015), 5-11 ½, 210, Houston Summer Creek
Results: 4.55 40, 4.47 shuttle, 37.5’ PB, 35.2” VJ, 104.61 SPARQ
Breakdown: Versatile H-back/tight end should be big weapon for Summer Creek next fall.
ATH: Reggie Turner, 5-7 ½, 151, Pasadena (Texas) Memorial
Results: 4.71 40, 4.09 shuttle, 36’ PB, 32.4” VJ, 92.22 SPARQ
Breakdown: Versatile threat was District 22-5A Co-MVP last fall, scoring 19 touchdowns.
DEFENSE
DL: Zach Vaughan, 6-4, 218, Austin (Texas) McNeil
Results: 4.79 40, 4.19 shuttle, 41’ PB, 32.6” VJ, 112.56 SPARQ
Breakdown: Colorado, Texas Tech, Houston and Rice are among Vaughan’s early offers.
DL: Justin Hollins, 6-5, 205, Arlington (Texas) Grace Prep Academy
Results: 4.67 40, 4.38 Shuttle, 36.0' PB, 33.9" VJ, 96.42 SPARQ
Breakdown: One of the more impressive physical prospects to come through the Houston event.
LB: Arthur McGinnis (2015), 6-2, 204, New Orleans Warren Easton
Results: 4.66 40, 4.44 shuttle, 36’ PB, 32.3” VJ, 92.04 SPARQ
Breakdown: Louisiana rising junior turned in his second strong Nike combine this offseason.
LB: Tobenna Okeke, 6-2, 186, Missouri City (Texas) Elkins
Results: 4.68 40, 4.37 shuttle, 38’ PB, 35.1” VJ, 98.82 SPARQ
Breakdown: Athletic linebacker was an All-District 23-5A pick in the fall.
LB: Micah Thomas, 6-0, 244, Cedar Park (Texas) Vista Ridge
Results: 4.96 40, 4.57 shuttle, 35’ PB, 34.3” VJ, 90.66 SPARQ
Breakdown: Big ‘backer had six sacks and four forced fumbles to earn all-area honors in 2012.
DB: Andrew Aneke, 5-11 ½, 177, Missouri City (Texas) Elkins
Results: 4.66 40, 4.26 shuttle, 38’ PB, 37.4” VJ, 104.73 SPARQ
Breakdown: Track standout showed up big time Saturday.
DB: Craig McWilliams, 5-11, 172, Pflugerville (Texas) High
Results: 4.58 40, 4.12 shuttle, 39.5’ PB, 37.2” VJ, 114.42 SPARQ
Breakdown: McWilliams put himself on the map with day’s second-best SPARQ Rating.
DB: Trai Mosley, 5-8, 163, Pflugerville (Texas) Hendrickson
Results: 4.63 40, 4.30 shuttle, 38’ PB, 36.6” VJ, 100.62
Breakdown: Physical corner totaled 34 tackles and three interceptions as a junior.
DB: Arrion Springs, 5-11, 185, San Antonio (Texas) Roosevelt
Results: 4.46 40, 4.12 shuttle, 33.5’ PB, 34.0” VJ, 107.07 SPARQ
Breakdown: Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Baylor and Vanderbilt are among Springs’ early offers.
DB: Marlon Walls, 5-9 ½, 182, Pearland (Texas) High
Results: 4.64 40, 4.09 shuttle, 34’ PB, 34.4” VJ, 100.95 SPARQ
Breakdown: Safety/outside linebacker earned second-team all-district in the fall.
DB: Jordan Washington, 5-11, 186, Pflugerville (Texas) Hendrickson
Results: 4.73 40, 4.22 shuttle, 39’ PB, 38.3” VJ, 108.72 SPARQ
Breakdown: Washington raised his SPARQ Rating 26 points from a year ago.
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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