Dallas Skyline belongs with elite teams
DALLAS -- When talking about the most talented high school programs in the country, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.) and Northwestern (Miami) are on the tip of the tongue. It's time to add Skyline (Dallas) to that list.
The Raiders feature a pair of Under Armour All-Americans in receiver Mike Davis and linebacker Corey Nelson, as well as prospects committed to the Big 12, Big Ten, C-USA and the WAC. Skyline will have as many as 13 players in the senior class sign with Division I programs in February; nine already have made commitments.
The junior class isn't far behind, with six or seven Division I prospects, including ESPNU 150 Watch List members Anthony Wallace and Franklin Shannon.
All told, Skyline has more than 20 future Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) players in the program, with a talented group of freshmen on the way.
Top linebacker trio in the country
Skyline features one of the most talented linebacker corps in the country, featuring seniors Nelson and Domonique Patterson and junior Wallace. Nelson, the No. 46 prospect in the ESPNU 150, headlines the group. The Texas A&M commit brings speed, quickness, ability to change direction, reactive ability and playmaking ability to the outside.
Despite his commitment to the Aggies, Nelson will visit UCLA, Stanford, Tennessee and Oklahoma in addition to Texas A&M.
Playing opposite Nelson is fellow Texas A&M commit Patterson. The 6-foot 219-pounder is a downhill, run-stuffing linebacker with the versatility to play inside or outside on the next level.
In the middle is ESPNU Watch List member Wallace. The 6-2, 220-pound linebacker has quick feet, reactive quickness, and the ability to fill and stuff ball carriers in their tracks. Along with the ability to play downhill and strike, Wallace shows the desire and ability to run to the football from sideline to sideline.
Wallace has offers on the table from Tennessee, Miami, Kansas, Arkansas, Texas A&M, Kansas, Oklahoma, Minnesota and Texas Tech, with Notre Dame and TCU expected shortly.
Sophomore Peter Jenkins will be the Raiders' next highly recruited outside linebacker.
Stars at receiver
Mike Davis leads a talented, playmaking receiver corps. The ESPNU 150 member and LSU commit dominates opponents with terrific route running, the ability to sink the hips and create separation. Davis also plays snaps at corner.
Joining Davis is Oklahoma commit Joe Powell, junior Paul Dawson, and seniors Demarcus Burks and Darren Seamster.
Powell, 6-1, 174 pounds, is a boisterous playmaking receiver who doubles as a safety. The Oklahoma commit is a smooth strider with a quick first step off the line of scrimmage.
Dawson plays more of a tight end role for Skyline but will be recruited as a receiver. At 6-2, 195 pounds, Dawson brings physicality to the position and the speed to get down the field. Because he's on the same team with Davis and Powell, he's overshadowed.
Hard-hitting secondary
The secondary is made up of seniors Adrian Lee, Adrian James, junior Shannon and senior Davis.
Lee, 5-11, 190 pounds, has offers on the table from Colorado State, UTEP, Iowa State and SMU with heavy interest from New Mexico, Arizona State and UCLA. Lee plays boundary corner and doubles at running back. Lee brings physicality to the corner spot.
James, a UTEP commit, lines up at corner, using his quickness and 4.49 speed to run with receivers.
Shannon is an ESPNU 150 Watch List member and a hard hitter with range. The 6-2, 205-pound safety is quickly developing in coverage. Shannon has offers from Nebraska and Kansas.
Senior Nick Freeman and junior Quincis Overstreet provide quality depth and are receiving looks.
Running back depth
Of all the Skyline players, Michigan commit Tony Drake is having the best season. The 5-9, 165-pounder with elite quickness and super feet is tearing up the competition, averaging 10.9 yards per carry.
On the next level, Drake will get looks at running back, slot receiver and corner.
Juniors Sammy Hill (5-8, 173, 4.48) and Josh Wilkins (5-10, 180, 4.6) provide excellent depth. Wilkins has scored four touchdowns on 28 carries. Hill has darting quickness and escapability.
Pass-rushing defensive line
Defensive tackle Rodney Williams is the top senior on a talented defensive line that includes senior end Demarcus Shaw, junior Marquel Bryant and senior nose guard Tristan Turknett. Williams, a Houston commit, is 6-1, 260 pounds with 4.78 speed. The former basketball standout grew out of basketball and into a legit three-technique prospect with very good feet, agility and the ability to rush the passer. Shaw, 6-3, 235 pounds, has offers from Colorado State, SMU and UTEP.
Bryant is one of the top pass-rushing prospects in the junior class in Texas. At 6-3, 219-pounds with 4.66 speed, long arms and a quick first step, Bryant has the ability to be a terror off the edge. He also shows up on kickoff coverage, blowing up the wedge with reckless abandon. Oregon, Iowa and Vanderbilt are showing interest in Bryant.
Turknett (5-11, 295, 5.0) is playing more center than nose guard/defensive tackle this season but has shown to be a disrupter in the inside run game. Turknett has offers from Air Force and Army, with Navy also a possibility.
Junior Michael Moore (6-1, 210, 4.65) provides quality depth at end.
Steady quarterback
Javia Hall drives the bus for Skyline. The 6-2, 165-pound signal-caller and North Texas commit has been handing off more than throwing this season with the improvement of Drake and emergence of Hill and Wilkins. Hall is being recruited at quarterback and athlete by college programs. Colorado State, UTEP and Western Kentucky might receive official visits, along with North Texas.
Gerry Hamilton has covered recruiting in Texas and the Southwest for more than a decade. He can be reached at espngerry@yahoo.com.
