Around Texas: A round-up of recruiting news in the Lone Star State
As summer approaches, the recruiting action grows hotter and hotter across the recruiting trails of Texas, and it is time to take a look at the latest news, notes and headlines from across the Lone Star state.
Big Gets
CB Tony-Louis Nkuba chooses Sun Devils
OL Tobias Steppes commits to TCU
ATH Makhi Frazier is a Beaver
OL Jacob Ponton pledges to Texas Tech
OL Briley Brown stays home at UTSA
Headlines
DBs narrowing the focus – Temple Lake Belton CB Selman Bridges has a top nine of Arkansas, Oregon, USC, TCU, LSU, Texas Tech, Texas, Oklahoma and Texas A&M, while Carthage DB Aeryn Hampton, who is already down to two of Alabama and Texas, announced official visits dates of June 16 to Texas and June 23 to Alabama.
State track gold – The UIL State Track & Field Championships were held last week, and several football prospects secured gold. A few grabbed medals in multiple events: Klein Forest WR Jelani Watkins and Refugio WR Ernest Campbell led the gold medal count with three a piece. Watkins claimed gold in the 6A 200m (20.54), and he was a member of the 4x100m (40.01) and 4x400m (3:11.69) teams. Campbell claimed individual golds in the 2A 100m (10.22) and 200m (20.92), and he was a member of the 4x100m team (41.95). Beckville ATH Jkoby Williams claimed two gold medals competing in the 2A triple jump (45-11.75) and the 110m hurdles (14.26). Six other dual-sport recruits earned gold medal status in one event: Stephenville OL Creece Brister 4A shot put (58-0.5), Rosebud-Lott ATH Jamarquis Johnson 2A long jump (23-6.25), Stafford 2025 ATH Bryce Braden 2A discus (168-10), Red Oak 2026 WR Brayden Robinson 5A 4x100m (40.29), Duncanville RB Caden Durham 6A 4x200m (1:23.95) and Duncanville 2025 WR Dakorien Moore 6A 4x200m (1:23.95).
New name to know
S Dontae Carter, Cibolo Steele – 2024
At 6-foot-2.5, 175 pounds, Carter considers Sauce Gardner and Jaylen Ramsey among his football role models, and it shows in his play as a rangy ballhawk on the backend of the Cibolo Steele defense. Last fall was his first season on defense after moving from receiver, and his ball skills were quickly put on display. On the season, he recorded eight pass breakups and posted an eye-popping seven interceptions. Of course, he also showed he could mix it up physically with 73 tackles on the season.
College coaches have had their eyes opened in recent weeks. Sam Houston State was the first to offer in February, but in the last month, he has welcomed nine Power 5 offers and 17 offers overall. Since the first of May, he has received offers from Missouri, Nebraska, UTSA, Kansas, Washington, Purdue, Houston, Oregon State and Baylor. He does not plan to attend any college camps this summer, and he has not started making his summer visit plans.
In addition to football, Carter also competes on the track and this spring he posted a personal best of 46-3.25 in the triple jump at the district track meet.
What’s up with the top
2025 Top at each position
QB: Kevin Sperry, Prosper Rock Hill - Oklahoma
RB: Tory Blaylock, Humble Atascocita
WR: Dakorien Moore, Duncanville
TE: Jack VanDorselaer, Southlake Carroll
OL: Michael Fasusi, Lewisville
DL: DJ Sanders, Bellville
LB: Kelvion Riggins, Dallas South Oak Cliff
CB: Devin Sanchez, Galena Park North Shore
S: Sael Reyes, DeSoto
ATH: Jonah Williams, Galveston Ball