Thoughts on Corey Nelson's commitment to A&M later tonight or tomorrow.
The last team left standing at the conclusion of the Texas State 7-on-7 championships was a team that this close to home for Longhorn fans -- Round Rock Stony Point, state semifinalists on the gridiron last fall. Lead by Stephen Williams, Stony Point defeated Cy-Fair 33-31 on Saturday in the championship game, keyed by a late interception return for a touchdown.. On the way, Stony Point also took down Adrian White and Darius Terrell's DeSoto team, one of the favorites that had defeated JW Walsh's Denton Guyer squad a round earlier.
Multi-purpose back Stephen Williams was the offensive star for Stony Point, repeatedly turning short passes into long gains. The performance was strong enough to win the overall MVP award for the tournament and cemented Williams' status as one of the most explosive players in the state. He's a fan of the Longhorns and could help provide a dynamic threat as a receiver, running back, and returner for the Longhorns.
Players who impressed:
- Stony Point linebacker PL Lindley continued his strong summer, drawing raves for his ability in coverage. Always the prognosticator, head coach Craig Chessher thinks Lindley has the frame to become a defensive end, but wherever he ends up, Lindley increasingly appears to have the athleticism and skills to be "Texas good." Expect his recruitment to pick up substantially. The biggest question is, why hasn't it already?
- DeSoto wide receiver David Porter played well after a strong performance at the first Texas summer camp, showing off his ability as a slot receiver with good initial burst and the ability to change direction quickly in the open field and when running routes. Depending on where the coaches see Jaxon Shipley playing in college (flanker or in the slot), Porter could receive a look in the slot.
- Trey Metoyer had a good tournament and was his usual impressive self, using his size to high point the football.
- Darius Terrell has improved his speed and, in the process, toned his body, but his strength is still using his body to shield defenders ($) and catch the ball in traffic using his great hands. His teammate, Adrian White, looked much more comfortable in man-to-man coverage than he did in zone.
- Whitehouse safety/wide receiver Quincy Aldridge may have more pure speed than Metoyer, but will probably get a look at safety in college because of his excellent ball skills and nearly 6-3 height. A player to keep on eye on in the secondary. Depending on how much growth his frame will allow, he could end up being a Travis Lewis-type linebacker after a year or two in a college weight program.
- The 7-on-7 format is perfect for Abilene's Herschel Sims to show his advanced receiving skills for a running back. The major question about Sims is his size at 5-8.5, mostly concerning how it affects his ability to pick up the blitz.
- Katy's Donovonn Young, a running back, drew notice for his strength and overall physique.
- Receiver Miles Onyegbule drew comparisons to a more athletic John Harris for his ability to go up and catch the ball in traffic and says that Texas is currently his favorite.
- As mentioned on Friday, Case McCoy looks much stronger and many observers say further along than his older brother at the same age. After a year or two in the program, there's little doubt that McCoy will be physically ready to compete at the collegiate level. His Graham team rallied after losing the first game of pool play to advance to the semifinals, where they lost to Celina. McCoy was accurate in the short and intermediate game ($), while throwing well on the run in either direction. However, he still needs to work on throwing an accurate deep ball.
- 2012 Wimberly running back Dennis Smith is already 6-1 and 210 pounds, with speed and explosiveness to spare. If Young was the most physically impressive athlete in the 2011 class, Smith took those honors for 2012. After rushing for more than 1,200 yards as a freshman, Smith is set for a huge sophomore campaign that should draw the attention of all the major programs around the region.
- 2011 Woodlands athlete Daniel Lasco has taken visits to the three major Florida programs this summer and says that right now he is looking out-of-state. Lasco then followed that up with an extremely controversial statement, suggesting that Florida has better-looking girls than Texas. Considering that he has two more years of high school left in Texas, young Mr. Lasco had probably better hope those words don't get around his school or he could find himself hard up for female companionship.
- A new name to watch on the radar is Navasota's Alfon Taylor, a 2011 wide receiver/safety who hasn't played any varsity, but has impressed over the summer and caught several touchdowns on Thursday as Navasota went undefeated in pool play.
- Another new name is Houston Lamar safety Earl Foster, who showed off his range throughout the tournament.
Shipley accolades starting to seem redundant. Summer camps and the state 7-on-7 tournament have made several things about Brownwood receiver glaringly obvious: he is a polished route-runner with excellent hands. He's not as explosive as his older brother, but he reportedly runs in the 4.5s (honestly, probably about the speed Jordan played for a couple years after his leg injuries) and his technique helps create the separation.
The other obvious is that he likes Texas ($):
I think, probably if I get the offer, I'll go there. That's what it's looking like so far.
I like the coaches and the atmosphere. It's a family atmosphere. And I just feel like home every time I go there. I go visit my brother. I'll work out with him and stuff. Coach (Mack) Brown, all the coaches there are just great.
So yeah, the question is pretty much what other receivers Texas decides to take in 2011. And if little Shipley has a double move like his older brother. Here's guessing he's at least worked hard on it.
Obligatory Seastrunk mention. Lache Seastrunk's Temple team was ousted in pool play after going winless. In an obvious nod to message boards around the country, Seastrunk wore USC socks, Auburn shorts, and an LSU dry fit. Notice the lack of any Texas apparel while you wonder about how much Seastrunk enjoyed confusing everyone intent on analyzing his outfit choices for the event. Perhaps even subtly commenting on the ridiculousness of doing so at all. Perhaps, then, satirizing us all. Deep stuff, Lache.
By the way, he says that he hasn't spoken with the Texas coaches in the last several weeks, as he's taking summer school classes in his effort to graduate in December and has backed away from recruiting for the time being. Most Texas fans seem to have moved on, but have the coaches, as well? Probably too soon to tell on that.
Seastrunk does offer that he has a plan for his commitment and that it's "super funny." Commence the evisceration about that comment.