Hightower defenders attract attention
Traffic reports are at an all-time high at Fort Bend Hightower this offseason.
Assistant coaches from all over the country are descending to the home of the Hurricanes. Quarterback A.J. Highsmith is headed to Miami, but it's the defense that is attracting the headlines.
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Defensive backs Dele Junaid and Colton Valencia have recently been offered by Ole Miss and Arizona State, respectively.
"Colton is really growing and is going to be a tremendous corner at the next level," Hightower coach Shane Hallmark said. "He's getting a lot of Big 12 looks, including Oklahoma State and Nebraska. They both will probably offer Colton because of his athletic ability."
The 6-foot-1 Junaid is receiving a ton of interest for his raw ability and natural size at safety.
"Dele is going to be very good when he gets comfortable at the position," Hallmark said. "He can hit though."
Defensive end Jelani Johnson (6 feet 2, 190 pounds) is receiving interest from the likes of SMU, Rice, Houston and Louisiana-Lafayette, while juniors Shaun Lewis and Harvey Jackson are also tweaking the recruiting meter.
"Lewis will have offers during his junior season," Hallmark said. "People like his intelligence, his physical play and his instincts. He's that good. Harvey is going to be a great talent because of his size and his natural ability."
Wide receiver Darius Johnson has peaked the interest of SMU for an offer this spring. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound wideout will be Highsmith's primary target in 2008.
"Darius just needs the ball in space," Hallmark said. "He can do the rest. He's going to play a little running back for us also. That is how important he is to our offense. Schools that come through here love him."