Atlanta, Texas, population 2 D-I recruits

A few years back, Atlanta, Texas, was nothing more than a stop sign on a map dot. But ever since DeCori Birmingham has burst onto the scene at Arkansas, the school has become a regular stop for college coaches looking for under-rated and under-recruited talent. With two prospects receiving heavy Division I attention that trend doesn’t look to change one bit.

Atlanta is home to one of the fastest-rising safety prospects in the Lone Star State. His name is Dallas Washington, and he’s a 6-foot, 190-pound safety with 4.5-second speed in the 40-yard dash and athletic ability that allowed him to play corner, tight end, receiver and even running back.

“He’s just an unreal athlete,” said Atlanta assistant coach Derek Simmons. “If you would have seen the two punt returns he had in the state championship game against Marlin you would have been shocked. I heard one of the reporters coming out of the press box at the end saying that one of those runs was the best play he’d ever seen in high school football.”

It’s those types of plays that has brought attention from Arkansas, SMU, TCU, Missouri and Purdue. Simmons said he’s unsure if Arkansas is going to offer, but the other teams seem to be showing major interest in the all-district selection.

“He’s kind of taking his time right now,” he said. “He’s listening to all of his options and taking his time. He’s kind of in an interesting situation because he lives out in Marietta, so he doesn’t really have a home phone. But he’s an incredible kid and an unreal athlete. Somebody is going to get itself a heck of a player.”

Also getting attention is defensive lineman Nick Wilson, a 6-foot, 290-pound defensive tackle.

“We’re making a tape here for Rice right now and SMU is also talking to him,” Simmons aid.

“He’s going to have to be a defensive lineman because of his size, but he has a shot at being something special.”