San Antonio-area names to know entering 7-on-7 circuit

When it comes to the top talent hubs and high school recruiting hotbeds in Texas, Houston and Dallas are always the first to come to mind, and for obvious reasons. San Antonio is rarely placed on the same platform, but the seventh largest city in the nation certainly isn’t without talent worthy of suiting up among the college ranks in the next year or two.

Burnt Orange Nation spent the weekend watching some of the underrated, up-and-coming talents, and speaking with parents and trainers about the names to know in the 2019 and 2020 classes.

Rashad Wisdom — 3-star S — Converse Judson: Arguably the top safety prospect in San Antonio, Wisdom spent the weekend on an unofficial visit to Texas A&M before making the short trek to Houston for The Opening. He currently holds four offers from UTSA, Texas State, North Texas and Virginia, but that number is sure to increase throughout the 7-on-7 circuit and on into his senior season. Wisdom will play with 210Savage throughout the spring and summer.

Levi Williams — 3-star QB — Spring Branch Smithson Valley — Houston commit: Less than 24 hours after 210Savage coach Calvin Robertson raved about what Smithson Valley quarterback Levi Williams can bring to the 7-on-7 circuit, Williams announced his commitment to Houston. Fresh off of a junior campaign in which Williams totaled 2,494 yards and 31 touchdowns, Williams could see Power 5 offers roll in between now and next summer with a strong 7-on-7 circuit and senior season.

Jacob Zeno — 3-star QB — San Antonio John Jay: Jacob Zeno is quickly making the transition from under-the-radar recruit to national prospect. A three-star gunslinger out of San Antonio John Jay, Zeno entered February with five offers from Texas Tech, UTSA, SMU, North Texas and Pennsylvania, but the word is out on his upside. Throughout the month, Zeno has added offers from Arkansas, Rutgers, Missouri, Florida, Baylor, and the outpouring of invitations should continue throughout the 7-on-7 circuit.

Sincere McCormick — 3-star RB — Converse Judson: A 1,200-yard rusher in 2017, McCormick spent the weekend on an unofficial visit to UTSA before traveling to Houston for The Opening. McCormick is up to seven offers with Memphis, UTSA, and Colorado in the mix, and with Judson tasked with replacing Julon Williams’ productivity at quarterback, McCormick should see an increased load offensively. The offers will follow.

Xavier Player — Unranked CB — Cibolo Steele: In 2017, Player quietly flew under the radar as part of a loaded Cibolo Steele secondary headlined by Texas signee Caden Sterns and Oklahoma signee JayVeon Cardwell. That won’t be the case in 2018 and Player has the tools to be the next coveted Steele DB. At the Flight Skillz camp on Saturday, Player put his footwork and physicality in coverage on display as arguably the top DB in attendance. He holds offers from Texas A&M Commerce and Seton Hill and many more will roll in throughout the coming weeks and months.

Tyrin Smith — Unranked WR — Cibolo Steele: Smith was one of the most impressive receivers at the Flight Skillz camp on Saturday, flashing tremendous quickness, footwork and a knack for crisp route running. When he didn’t outright beat the defensive back, Smith was able to make the difficult catch. He doesn’t have any offers yet, but he’ll be featured in the slot next season for Steele, where he can be a difference-maker.

Javon Barnes — Unranked CB — San Antonio Wagner: It was my first time seeing Javon Barnes on Sunday and he was immediately the most impressive at the 210Savage 7-on-7 practice. Barnes has a good frame for a defensive back still a year away from a college strength and conditioning program. As far as skills go, he’s a technician with quick feet, impressive ball skills and a physical coverage style, especially at the line of scrimmage. Barnes told BON he’s been in contact with Concordia and SMU, has visited UTEP and will soon visit TCU. Expect offers to come in the near future.

Jaylen Johnson — Unranked WR — San Antonio Brandeis: Johnson will spend his final high school season as a featured option in the slot for Brandeis, and he has the makings of an impact contributor that could make some noise on the recruiting trail. Johnson is a bit undersized, but what he lacks there, he makes up with crisp routes and shifty footwork to consistently create space. Johnson camped with Texas last summer and is a name that will likely show up at more camps in the coming months.

Piale Thomas — Unranked RB — New Braunfels: As a junior, Thomas played behind a 1,000-yard rusher in Ryan Redding. With Redding gone, Thomas is set to emerge as the feature back, and at 5’10, 200 pounds, he certainly has the frame to become a workhorse for the Unicorns. In 2017, Thomas utilized his size, shiftiness and 4.5 40-yard dash speed to the tune of 592 yards on just 67 carries.

Kevin Wood Jr. — Unranked LB — Converse Judson: Despite totaling 113 tackles, seven tackles for loss, three sacks, and two interceptions last season for Texas powerhouse Converse Judson, Wood remains almost entirely under the radar. Wood’s versatility as a sure tackler and being more than capable in coverage could see him garner some interest as a safety prospect. The upcoming 7-on-7 circuit with 210Savage could be what puts Wood’s name on the map.

Lucas Eatman — Unranked LB — San Antonio Reagan: A rising linebacker prospect, Eatman is up to seven offers with Memphis, Syracuse, SMU and Texas State in the mix. An instinctive run-stopper who excels in pursuit, Eatman totaled 78 tackles in 2017, but being able to showcase some coverage ability in a 7-on-7 setting could be what helps take his recruitment to the next level. He’ll also be with 210Savage.

2020

Jaylon Jones — Unranked CB — Cibolo Steele: Jones is currently unranked, but it won’t be that way for long. He, too, will enjoy more of the spotlight with Sterns and Cardwell gone. Jones boasts ideal size for a cornerback at 6’2, 185, and he can run stride-for-stride with virtually any receiver. Oklahoma State has already jumped into the mix with an offer, and it shouldn’t be long before Jones becomes a national recruit.

Derrick Lewis — Unranked LB — Schertz Clemens: When it comes to the eye test, Lewis passes with flying colors. At 6’1, 220 pounds, Lewis already boasts a college-ready frame and with solid technique and instincts in coverage, Lewis looks the part of a future national recruit in the near future. He totaled 50 tackles as a sophomore.

Daniel Jackson — Unranked WR — Cibolo Steele: The younger brother of Oklahoma weak-side defensive end Mark Jackson Jr., Jackson boasts an impressive frame, is a crisp route runner and plucks the ball out of the air with strong hands. Jackson hauled in 22 receptions for 246 yards and three touchdowns in 2017, but with Onyx Smith and Terrance Ingram graduated, Jackson is set to star at wide receiver. Expect to hear his name a lot throughout the next couple years.