Around Texas: A round-up of recruiting news in the Lone Star State

Signing Day is just a little over a month away, and the recruiting action continues to move at a rapid pace across the state. There have been flips, decommitments, commitments and recruiting decisions being made around the Lone Star state, and it is time to take a look at the latest. 

Big Gets

Karson Gordon‍ is a UCLA Bruin

Headlines

Back on the Market – Karson Gordon‍ recently reopened his recruitment but quickly shut things back down with his UCLA decision. However, he is not the only Texas prospect to take another look at his options. Cy-Falls OL Samir Camacho‍ recently decommitted from Maryland. He originally chose the Terrapins in August over offers from Duke, UTSA, Cal, Houston, TCU, Texas A&M and Utah. Beaumont West Brook edge defender Jaylin Jones‍ decommitted from Purdue. He chose the Boilermakers in August over offers from Duke, Missouri, SMU, Houston, Baylor, Texas Tech, Utah, and UTSA. Newton ATH Railyn Adams‍ decommitted from Texas State. He originally chose the Bobcats in July over offers from Louisiana, Utah State, Sam Houston State and UTSA.

Sanchez narrows his list, has decision date - Galena Park (TX) North Shore 2025 cornerback Devin Sanchez‍ named a top three of Alabama, Ohio State and Texas A&M, and he has set his sights on making a decision early next year. He plans to announce his college decision on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024.

2025s off the board – Joey McGuire and the Texas Tech Red Raiders hit home with a couple of 2025 prospects. Hitchcock QB Lloyd Jones III‍ made the call for the Red Raiders over offers from UTSA, UNT, Colorado State and Texas State. Wichita Falls City View ATH Isaiah Anderson‍ also chose the Red Raiders. A 6-foot-1, 170-pound receiver and cornerback at City View, Anderson wasted no time making Tech his choice, announcing his decision at the same time as his offer. Baylor also added some beef in the trenches as Carthage OL Kash Courtney‍ made the Bears his pick over Houston, Louisiana Tech and UTSA. 

New Name to Know

ATH Leo Almanza‍, Trophy Club (TX) Byron Nelson - 2025

A two-way standout, Almanza checks in at 6-foot-1, 170 pounds and loves to show his speed at cornerback and wide receiver. On defense, his length and change of direction are also quick to draw attention as he blankets receivers, and on offense, those same attributes make him a go-to big-play threat.

As a multi-talented standout, he studies Deion Sanders and Travis Hunter, and receiver Davante Adams is one of his role models. As for his speed, it is not just some boastful claim. It is documented. He clocked a 4.43 40-yard dash at Texas Tech this summer, and he posted a 10.9 100-meter as a freshman.

College coaches are already in hot pursuit. Offers have arrived from Utah, Texas Tech, Cal, Baylor, UNLV and Arkansas State, and Almanza has received interest from BYU and Northwestern. He also turned heads on the summer camp circuit with stops at UTSA, TCU and Texas State in addition to Texas Tech. He has also taken unofficial visits to Baylor and Utah and plans to get to Texas Tech soon and Cal in the spring. 

Almanza’s athleticism is no surprise. Both parents were college athletes. His mother played volleyball at Texas Lutheran, while his father played college basketball at Texas State. With the background, it is also no surprise he is a multi-sport standout. He is a point guard on the varsity basketball team with the ability to play either guard or small forward position, and he is a sprinter on the track running in the 100m, 200m, 4x100m and 4x200m. 

What’s up with the Top

Top 2024 LBs
1. Justin Williams‍, Conroe Oak Ridge – Georgia
2. Xavier Atkins‍, Humble Summer Creek – LSU
3. Tyanthony Smith‍, Jasper – Texas A&M
4. Payton Pierce‍, Lucas Lovejoy – Ohio State
5. Maurice Williams‍, Pearland Shadow Creek – Houston

Top 2025 LBs
1. Riley Pettijohn‍, McKinney
2. Bo Barnes‍, Dallas Skyline
3. Kelvion Riggins‍, Forney
4. Jayden Shelton‍, Dallas South Oak Cliff
5. Anthony Williams‍, Pearland Shadow Creek