Houston teammates flocking together
Houston Klein Forest teammates Kendrick Payne and Ford Lakin are birds of a feather. The two attended TCU's junior day and came away impressed.
Lakin also visited Texas A&M's junior day in February.
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"They both liked TCU and Gary Patterson really impressed Kendrick because he's a defensive coach," Klein Forest coach Ken Hammock said.
Payne (6-3, 250-pounds), an all-district selection as a junior, is also receiving significant interest from Virginia among others.
"He's getting a lot of mail from them," Hammock said. "He is going to get some major Division I offers because of his size and great academic standing. He's down to like 10-percent body fat for a defensive lineman."
Payne is also throwing the shot and discus for the Golden Eagle track team.
Ranked third academically in his class is Lakin (6-1, 190-pounds), a quarterback who has started since his freshman season.
"He's not going to blow anyone away with his size, but you have to look at his productivity," Hammock said. "When it's all said and done, he will have thrown for over 60 touchdowns and 5,000 yards in his high school career. He's a winner with intangibles. He's a special guy."
Lakin is receiving interest from the likes of Duke, TCU, SMU and Baylor among others.
"I liked TCU and I've talked with Duke and Arizona State," Lakin said. "I'm going to get around to a few schools this summer, but I'm going to Hawaii over spring break with my family. When I get back I'm going back to work."
While Klein Forest produced two Division I signees this signing period in receiver Johnathan Wilson and defensive lineman Brian Stacey, the Golden Eagles have several other sleeper prospects in 2008.
Receivers Jared Jenkins (6-0, 180-pounds)and Deonte Patrick (6-2, 185-pounds), and tight end Louis Hooper (6-4, 215-pounds) combined for over 1,100 and nine touchdowns last year.
On defense, linebacker Chris Mazin (6-0, 210-pounds) and defensive backs Marquis Wright (5'9, 170-pounds), Josh Hill (6-1, 180-pounds) and Michael Roulhac (6-0, 185-pounds) will also be recruited.