4-Star Jalen Preston ready for more with Oklahoma, Texas, others
Jalen Preston didn’t have the type of game that many would expect of him in a Week 2 win over Galena Park-North Shore.
Despite being one of the more physically gifted receivers in 2018, he only finished with one reception for a loss of a yard, and was pretty well covered by Mustangs cornerback Kieston Roach for most of the night.
“Tonight, that blitz was coming for our quarterback,” he said. “They played me inside, they wanted all deep routes, that’s a great corner that was on me tonight, take nothing away from him.”
Preston didn’t have much time to create separation throughout the game. Critical to Manvel’s offensive gameplan, was getting the ball out of quarterback Kason Martin’s hands before K’Lavon Chaisson found his way into the backfield.
The four-star receiver said that he isn’t quite where he wants to be yet this season, but there’s little question he expects his Week 2 production to be more of the exception than the rule.
“I’m probably about a 6-out-of-10 right now; I can get way better,” he said. “I know I can get way more work in.”
IN HIS WORDS
On Oklahoma ramping up its recruitment of him:
“Oklahoma has actually been contacting me more,” he said. “Coach (Bob) Stoops actually messaged me this morning, and that was just amazing to me. God is just amazing to have blessed me like that.”
“They should be a front-runner with me if things continue,” he said. “I am going to keeping things open, though.”
On what he planned to get out of his visit to Texas for the Notre Dame game:
“I’m actually going out there to meet the new receivers coach [Charlie Williams], because I haven’t been out there in a long time,” he said. “I just want to meet him and start building up a relationship with him.”
“That offense is going to be great,” he predicted. “It’s going to be great.”
RIVALS REACTION
Preston is one of the more sought-after players in 2018 because of his rare physical attributes. For as much attention as he’s received early in his recruitment, it’s clear that there is still a very high ceiling for him to reach in terms of his potential. Texas and Oklahoma have been involved with him early in the process, but they are going to have their hands full competing not only against each other, but fending off other programs looking to try and win his favor.
“I plan to go to LSU, Alabama, OU, UF and if I can, Michigan,” he said. “I’m just interested in Michigan, we’ll see how active things get with them, because they just are allowed to start texting now.”