Bevo Bites: OT Reuben Fatheree, DE Alec Bryant among Houston-area talent in action over the weekend

On Friday and Saturday, Burnt Orange Nation was on hand to witness various Texas targets and potential targets in action in the Houston-area. Here are some brief thoughts based on which players stood out in games that hosted a multitude of FBS recruits.

2021 — Reuben Fatheree — 4-star OT — Richmond Foster: Fatheree continues to elevate his game every time I see him in action. His size is obviously what sticks out and is the first thing that comes to mind when his name is mentioned, but it’s how he’s learning to use his size to his advantage that’s astonishing. Fatheree utilizes his long limbs to keep defenders far away from making any plays. He’s always the first to make contact with defensive linemen because of his lengthy wingspan and violent hands at the point of attack. There’s still a ton of room for improvement for Fatheree, but he has a very lofty ceiling with a great work ethic and a solid foundation. Fatheree has star potential at the next level.

The Longhorns are in good spot with Fatheree, but he’s still feeling out the recruiting process at the moment.

2020 — Alec Bryant — 4-star DE — Shadow Creek: Speed kills, and Bryant epitomizes that on the defensive front. Bryant is listed at 6’3, 230 pounds according to 247Sports, but he’s probably added about 10 pounds to his frame since that was last recorded. At times, he’s been forced to play as an interior lineman for his school, but he’s displayed some versatility showing he can have an impact on the game regardless of where he’s lined up. Bryant holds a total of 10 offers from schools like Arizona, Houston, Oklahoma, TCU, and Vanderbilt. Although Texas hasn’t put an offer on the table, defensive line coach Oscar Giles has been in contact with Bryant very frequently. Texas is a program Bryant would love to receive an offer from and believes he’s close to earning that.

Bryant would strongly consider Texas if an offer were presented to him.

2020 — Parker Washington — 3-star WR — Fort Bend Travis: Washington has to be one of the more dynamic wide receivers the state has to offer. I was able to witness Washington during the 7-on-7 circuits earlier this season and I was blown away by his overall game. His ability to make those difficult catches in traffic and the way he casually switches gears in and out of his routes while keeping his body compact is captivating. All of those traits — plus many more — translate very well to the actual game. Washington logged six receptions for 172 yards and three touchdowns in Saturday’s matchup against Fort Bend Clements. Washington holds offers from Indiana and Texas State, but should see a surge in his recruiting this off-season.

Texas has not yet contacted Washington, but he’s looking forward to that day.

2020 — Xavion Alford — 3-star S — Shadow Creek: Alford is an impressive prospect that will continue to rise on the recruiting trail. He made some big stops this past Friday against Richmond Foster to help his team remain undefeated with a 27-point come from behind win. At 6’1, 175 pounds, Alford holds offers from schools like Arizona, Colorado, Houston, Oklahoma State, and Utah.

He’s spoken with Coach Craig Naivar and Coach Jason Washington.

2020 — Chidozie Nwankwo — 3-star DT — Richmond Foster — Houston commit: Nwankwo is one of the most physically imposing athletes you’ll see on the high school level. He’s exceptionally powerful with supreme quickness off the ball. Nwankwo has been nothing but a terror towards opposing offensive linemen and his high motor will only allow him to continue that trend as the season progresses.

The Texas staff had been in contact with Nwankwo and were evaluating him after he had camped with the Longhorns before his commitment to Houston.

2019 — Zach Zimos — 3-star OLB — Fort Bend Travis — Arkansas commit: Zimos was a prospect that I was able to witness in action last season when he had absolutely no movement in his recruiting process. All of that changed during this past offseason as he prepared for his senior campaign. College coaches fell in love with Zimos’ 6’4, 210-pound frame and he boasts the athleticism to match. With Zimos playing safety mostly last year and transitioning into an outside linebacker, you know you’re getting a player that’s flexible in what he can bring to the table.

Zimos was another guy that was being evaluated by the Texas staff at one point, but he never received that offer from the Horns. Once a Cal commit, Zimos is 100 percent committed to the Razorbacks.

In Friday’s game between Richmond Foster and Shadow Creek, there were a ton highly talented players in action that stood out among the pack. Colorado commit and Shadow Creek offensive tackle Cam’Ron Johnson had his hands full early in the game, but held his own when they needed him to come up big. Rising 2020 Shadow Creek outside linebacker was a defensive juggernaut and had a knack for being around the ball-carrier. He holds a Tulsa offer at the moment. 2020 Richmond Foster quarterback Ryan Stubblefield proved why he should be mentioned as one of the states pure passers for his cycle, as he completed a multitude of next-level throws. Richmond Foster sophomore athlete Cody Jackson holds a Baylor offer and will be a prospect to keep an eye on. Several players that should receive some late attention as we head into the stretch of this recruiting cycle are Shadow Creeks’ senior running back Marquez Huland and Richmond Fosters’ dynamic wide receiver Shadeed Ahmed.

Outside of Oklahoma commit wide receiver Arjei Henderson, Zimos, and Washington, Fort Bend Travis is another team that’s loaded with up and coming talent. 2021 safety Cameron Oliver is one of those talented prospects who will start to see more attention on the recruiting trail. Running back Kaelen Shankle and quarterback Eric Rodriguez are both intriguing juniors from Fort Bend Travis that have shined throughout the season thus far.