Can't Miss Matchup in Central Texas! Week 4

                   

This will probably be the best "island" matchup in the United States in Week 4 of the 2016 high school football season as the Taylor Ducks play host to the Caldwell Hornets.  Tulsa WR commit Malik Jackson (pictured left) will be lined across from Texas A&M CB commit Devin Morris (Caldwell). Both of these young men are currently the #1 prospects in Central Texas at their respective positions for the 2017 class.

CenTex '18 Prospect Spotlight! Jalen Hughes, WR (San Antonio O'Connor)

CenTex 2018 prospect Jalen Hughes (San Antonio O'Connor, 5'11" 170, 4.6) should have a breakout season this year for the Panthers.  Had a really good Spring in further developing his skills and will be nice to watch this season. Now he plays faster than the stopwatch indicates. Lines up in the slot and will mostly like give defenders headaches trying to contain him in space. Hughes possesses soft hands, is a smart route runner, and is unafraid to catch the ball in traffic.  

Hughes' film link: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/5231442/jalen-hughes 

CenTex '19 Prospect Spotlight! Trent Wilkerson, DT (Gonzales)

CenTex 2019 prospect Trent Wilkerson (Gonzales, 5'11" 223, 4.9) will be starting on the defensive line in his first full season on the varsity. Wilkerson is young and still growing into his body. He is already fast for his position and will only get better as time passes. He'll be playing on one of the better interior defensive lines in the Central Texas region while also displaying double duty on the offensive line. Look for him to have a good sophomore season.

CenTex '17 Prospect Spotlight! Jai Garcia, RB/WR (Leander)

CenTex 2017 prospect Jai Garcia (Leander, 5'3" 134, 4.59) does a great job of making plays. Though small in stature, Garcia is very bodacious. He is very elusive in space and is difficult to locate when running between the tackles. Has soft hands and is a good return man as well. Bounces right back up when taking a tough hit. 

Garcia's film link: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4331251/jai-garcia 

Photo courtesy of Jack Densmore 

Attn: CenTex 2019 & 2020 Prospects!!!

If you are a 2019 or 2020 prospect (an upcoming sophomore or an incoming freshman in high school) in the Central Texas area and are fortunate enough to earn a starting spot on the varsity, this would be a very good time to establish yourself as a prospect to watch. It can possibly save you the stress of wondering whether or not you will be recruited as an upperclassman. Here are a few tips to help you get yourselves better noticed as an underclassman on the gridiron:

• Make the "Honor Roll" part of your daily language and character. 
• "Point 1" means no grades lower than B's, but preferably more A's than anything else. 
• Remember, in high school, EVERY GRADE COUNTS!
• Start studying for your SAT and ACT tests early. 
• Take either test at least once at the conclusion of your sophomore year and as often as needed after that. 
• Get a copy of your unofficial transcript from your high school counselor every new semester (after your first semester as a freshman) and hold on to it!
• REFRAIN FROM ALL FORMS OF FOOLISHNESS BOTH ON AND OFF THE FIELD! 
• Be careful with the content of your posts on social media. 
• YOU MUST BE DOMINANT AND CONSISTENT AT YOUR RESPECTIVE POSITION ON THE FIELD (a big play machine)! 
• Show up BIG, in BIG games! 
• Keep your film updated online where they can be viewed publicly (i.e. Hudl, YouTube, etc.). Let your film sell you more than any events in the Spring and Summer. Your film will prove how much of a true baller you really are! 
• Regularly posts your highlight film link on various social media outlets in order to get college coaches' attention. 
• Remember you'll mostly be seen as the "rookie" or "scrub" (because you are young) by most upperclassmen, so use that to further fuel your fire to outwork everyone on the field.

Former San Antonio Madison defensive tackle Vincent Taylor

Vincent "Big Vince" Taylor (San Antonio Madison, '13) is a former Central Texas area standout who made a name for himself in the recruiting game while he was still an underclassman. Big Vince became a starter on the varsity as a sophomore and instantly had an impact. He developed a reputation as someone who frequented the opponents' backfield being virtually unblockable. His first step off of the ball was very impressive and he always seemed to know where the ball was.  Most importantly, his grades were in order to be an NCAA qualifier.  After his senior season concluded, he participated in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl in Houston, Texas, before signing to attend Oklahoma State University.

Big Vince's high school film link: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/645301/vincent-taylor 

Attn: CenTex 2018 Prospects!

If you are a 2018 prospect (an upcoming junior in high school) in the Central Texas area, there is no better time to act with a sense of urgency to get yourself recruited to attend college as a student-athlete. Traditionally and historically, a prospect's junior year is what sets him apart from other prospects to college football coaches and scouts alike. Here are a few tips to help you get yourselves better noticed both during and following your junior year on the gridiron:

• Shoot for nothing below Honor Roll status in the classroom. 
• If you have made any C's or lower in any of your core courses, try and retake them ASAP. You will not be able to do so in your senior year (new NCAA academic rule). Remember the saying, you cannot "C" your way to a Division 1 scholarship. 
• Get a new copy of your unofficial transcript from your high school counselor every semester and hold on to it!
• Register to take your SAT/ACT tests as many times as you need to. 
• REFRAIN FROM ALL FORMS OF FOOLISHNESS BOTH ON AND OFF THE FIELD! 
• Be careful with the content of your posts on social media. 
• YOU MUST BE DOMINANT AND CONSISTENT AT YOUR RESPECTIVE POSITION ON THE FIELD (a big play machine)! 
• It doesn't hurt if your team makes a deep run in the playoffs, if not win a state championship. The longer you play, the more your name can possibly be mentioned as a serious prospect. 
• Keep your film updated online where they can be viewed publicly (i.e. Hudl, YouTube, etc.). 
• Let your "Fall season" film sell you more than any other events that take place in the Spring and Summer. Your film will prove how much of a true baller you really are! 
• Regularly post your highlight film link on various social media outlets in order to get more college coaches' attention. 
• SHOW UP BIG, IN BIG GAMES! 
• NEVER CEASE TO WORK HARD, ESPECIALLY OUTSIDE OF TEAM ACTIVITIES!

Former Austin Lake Travis quarterback Garrett Gilbert

Former CenTex standout Garrett Gilbert (Austin Lake Travis, '09) had a sensational junior year for the Lake Travis Cavaliers in which he passed for 4,827 yards and 49 TD's. More importantly, he lead his team to a state championship victory and was known as a prospect that could make all the throws while displaying great leadership skills and decision making on the field. He was also an honor student. Before signing with the University of Texas, he played in the Under Armour All-American game and was named to both the Parade & USA Today All-American teams, feats that were mostly accomplished based off of his junior year on the field.

Gilbert's high school film link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPYdfi-ep74 

Attn: CenTex 2017 Prospects!!!

If you are a 2017 prospect in Central Texas that has yet to be offered a scholarship, fret not. Here are some things for you to do to meet such a goal no matter if you end up playing Division 1-A (FBS), Division 1-AA (FCS), Division 2, Division 3, NAIA, or JUCO football.

• Stay on top of your academics to ensure that you will qualify academically. 
• Make sure that your SAT's and ACT's are taken care of. 
• Get a copy of your unofficial transcript from your high school counselor and hold on to it!
• Register with the NCAA and/or NAIA Eligibility Centers. 
• REFRAIN FROM ALL ASPECTS OF FOOLISHNESS! 
• Keep your film updated online where they can be viewed publicly (i.e. Hudl, YouTube, etc.)
• Regularly posts your highlight film link on various social media outlets in order to get more college coaches' attention. 
• It helps to have a very strong, consistent September in a dominating fashion on the field at your respective position to make noise early in the season, but be consistent all season long.
• SHOW UP BIG, IN BIG GAMES!

CenTex legend Ladanian Tomlinson (Waco University, '97) was primarily utilized as a blocking back prior to his senior season for the Trojans, which brought little recruiting attention.  However, after the graduation of the team's leading rusher from the previous season, Tomlinson became the feature back in his final year of high school and the rest is history.  Aside from being a qualifier with the NCAA Clearinghouse (as it was known at that time), he made numerous big plays and amassed 2,554 yards rushing and 39 touchdowns his senior year, earning honors as the his district's Most Valuable Player and Super CenTex Offensive Player of the Year.  He eventually signed with TCU and became the school's all-time leading rusher.

Former TCU running back LaDanian Tomlinson

REMEMBER, YOU STILL HAVE TIME!  YOU JUST HAVE TO WANT IT BAD ENOUGH AND EXECUTE YOUR GOALS IN ORDER FOR BIG THINGS TO HAPPEN FOR YOU IN RECRUITING!