Look Ahead: Prospects push teams forward
Rivals.com analysts are canvassing the country again this week to check out the top talent in person. Here's where they'll be and where their attention will be focused.
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Analyst: Brian Perroni | Follow Brian on Twitter: @bperroni
Game: Denton (Texas) Ryan vs. Waco (Texas) Midway, Friday at Cowboys Stadium
Top prospects:
Beau Blackshear Midway, 6-4/260, SDE
The Baylor commit moves very well for a player his size.
De La Torre highlightsClick Alex De La Torre Ryan, 6-0/223, ILB, 2012 prospectHere to view this Link.
The son of a coach, De La Torre is a very heady player.
Mario Edwards Ryan, 6-4/250, SDE, 2012 prospect
The ultra-athletic pass rusher could be the state's top prospect in the class of 2012.
Shakiel Randolph Midway, 6-5/190, S, 2012 prospect
The state has a lot of tall free safeties in the class of 2012. Where does Randolph rank?
Richmond highlightsClick Jordan Richmond Ryan, 6-1/220, OLB, 2012 prospectHere to view this Link.
Has an early offer from Texas A&M with plenty of others sure to come.
Quick Kicks:
Both teams come into the third-round playoff game with identical 12-0 records and both have been dominant all season. … Edwards' father, Mario Edwards Sr., is on the Ryan coaching staff and once played for the Dallas Cowboys. … This is the second week in a row that Midway plays at Cowboys stadium. … Midway running back B.J. Kelly, a 2013 prospect, could present a challenge for Ryan's stout defense.
Analyst: Brian Perroni | Follow Brian on Twitter: @bperroni
Game:Frisco (Texas) Liberty vs. Bastrop (Texas), Friday at Cowboys Stadium
Top prospects:
Ajayi highlightsClick Jay Ajayi Liberty, 5-11/175, RBHere to view this Link.
The Boise State pledge has rushed for 2,026 yards and 34 touchdowns so far this season. He averages more than 10 yards per carry.
Brown highlightsClick Cameron Brown Liberty, 6-2/195, WRHere to view this Link.
The Minnesota commit has caught 40 passes with 12 touchdowns in a heavily run-based offense.
Quick Kicks:
Quick kicks: Liberty comes into the game with a 12-0 record, which is impressive considering the school made its first playoff appearance last year. … Ajayi looks to be a steal for Boise State. He is 52 yards shy of becoming the leading rusher in the Dallas area. … Bastrop dual-threat quarterback Josiah Monroe has been on a tear in the playoffs. In two games he has passed for 889 yards and six touchdowns, while rushing for 373 yards and five touchdowns.
Analyst: Barry Every | Follow Barry on Twitter: @barryevery
Game:Powder Springs (Ga.) Hillgrove vs. Snellville (Ga.) Brookwood, Friday
Top prospects:
Drake highlightsClick Kenyan Drake Hillgrove, 6-0/180, RB, 2012 prospectHere to view this Link.
Been offered by Georgia Tech. Rushed for 161 yards and two scores in last week's upset of No. 1 Kingsland (Ga.) Camden County.
Hunt-Days highlightsClick Jabari Hunt-Days Hillgrove, 6-2/226, OLBHere to view this Link.
Georgia Tech commit is one of the most decorated participants in National Underclassmen history.
Lynch highlightsClick Cameron Lynch Brookwood, 5-11/220, OLBHere to view this Link.
Syracuse commit has helped his team hold opposing offenses to 13.8 points per game.
Sims highlightsClick Andre Sims Jr. Brookwood, 5-9/170, WRHere to view this Link.
Michigan State commit is a speedy receiver. He caught 57 passes for 915yards and nine scores last season.
Quick Kicks:
Hillgrove coach David Ironside has led the Hawks (10-2) to two of the biggest upsets in GHSA history, beating both Stone Mountain (Ga.) Stephenson and Kingsland (Ga.) Camden County in back-to-back weeks. Brookwood coach Mark Crews has the Broncos coming in at 11-1, outscoring their opponents 411-166 so far this season.
Analyst: Chris Nee | Follow Chris on Twitter: @RivalsCNee
Game: Ocala (Fla.) Vanguard at Citra (Fla.) North Marion, Friday
Top prospects:
Gilmore highlightsClick Jamie Gilmore North Marion, 5-7/160, RB, 2012 prospectHere to view this Link.
Gilmore is an electric back who is a key playmaker on the North Marion offense. While he is a bit on the small side, he possesses Division I ability and has drawn early interest from a number of schools, including Maryland, which has already offered.
Reno Henderson Vanguard, 6-4/245, OL, 2012 prospect
This is his first season working at left tackle, after previously being on the right side. The talented offensive lineman is being shown interest by a few in-state schools and the USF Bulls have extended an offer.
Pittman highlightsClick Latroy Pittman North Marion, 6-1/190, WR, 2012 prospectHere to view this Link.
Pittman is a big wide receiver who is physical, possesses good speed and excellent hands. He plays both ways for North Marion, as he is a solid safety in the secondary. Earlier this year, Pittman pledged his services to Florida.
Price highlightsClick Sean Price North Marion, 6-4/206, TE, 2012 prospectHere to view this Link.
Price is yet another talented junior on North Marion. He is an athletic tight end who is a capable blocker but a real weapon in the passing game due to his athleticism. He will be pursued by major Division I programs.
P.J. Williams Vanguard, 6-1/175, DB, Class of 2012
Williams is a talented defensive back with the versatility to play safety or cornerback. He contributes to Vanguard on offense, defense and special teams. Following a summer camp visit to Florida State, Williams pledged his services to the Seminoles.
Quick Kicks:
The two teams played a thriller earlier in the season, which was won by North Marion, 14-13. North Marion enters the game at 10-1 while Vanguard is 9-2. The winner will advance to the third round of the state playoffs in Florida.
Analyst: Brian Perroni | Follow Brian on Twitter: @bperroni
Game: Argyle (Texas) vs. Gilmer (Texas), Saturday at Ennis
Top prospects:
Hedlund highlightsClick Chad Hedlund Argyle, 6-0/163, KHere to view this Link.
The TCU commit is ranked as the No. 8 kicker in the country.
Johnson highlightsClick Gus Johnson Gilmer, 5-10/205, RBHere to view this Link.
The big Tulsa commit has had a limited workload but has still averaged more than 8 yards per carry while rushing for 1,197 yards and nine touchdowns. He also has added 39 receptions.
Trey Keenan Argyle, 6-5/270, OT, 2012 prospect
The junior is a good pass blocker and has a chance to be the top tackle prospect in Texas for 2012.
Quick Kicks:
Gilmer is the defending state champion and perennial power in Class 3A. However, the Buckeyes are only 9-3 this season after returning just four starters from a year ago. … Gilmer senior offensive tackle Michael Boddie is committed to Missouri but is out for the year after suffering a reported ACL tear in the middle of the season. … Argyle is 12-0, the same as last year when it lost in this round.
Analyst: Brian Perroni | Follow Brian on Twitter: @bperroni
Game: Daingerfield (Texas) vs. Grandview (Texas), Saturday at Mesquite Memorial
Top prospects:
Donald Bryant Daingerfield, 6-3/240, SDE
How does the Baylor commit stack up against other defensive ends in the state?
Edmond highlights and interviewClick Steve Edmond Daingerfield, 6-3/225, OLBHere to view this Link.
Can the Texas commit, the nation's No. 20 overall prospect, show he deserves a fifth star?
Garrett highlightsClick Keyarris Garrett Daingerfield, 6-4/185, WRHere to view this Link.
The Tulsa commit has shown very solid hands, especially in the red zone.
Hatten highlightsClick Shayvion Hatten Daingerfield, 6-5/265, OT/DEHere to view this Link.
The Texas A&M commit was recruited as an offensive tackle by every other school but will play defensive end in College Station. How does he look on that side of the ball?
Daniel Spencer Grandview, 5-11/185, ATH
Where will the do-everything Houston commit play in college?
Quick Kicks:
Daingerfield is the defending state champion and returns a lot of talent from last year's squad. It enters the game with a 10-1 record, falling only to Class 3A power Gilmer, and is averaging close to 50 points a game. … Spencer has thrown for two touchdowns, rushed for 19 and added 17 more receiving. Texas A&M has taken notice and could offer him as a defensive back. … Grandview is also 10-1 on the year and is riding a nine-game winning streak.