PA Memorial loaded again in 2006

Each year the state of Texas churns out some of the best high school football talent in the country and Port Arthur (Texas) Memorial High School has been keeping stride with that legacy the last several years.

The defensive back and running back position have both been two of the best for coach Dean Colbert as many of his former players have gone on to numerous Division I schools. This has included 2004 Texas A&M cornerback commit Danny Gorrer and 2003 Oklahoma State commit Calvin Roberts.

With his senior running back this year, four-star speedster Jamaal Charles headed for Texas, the tradition is continuing as Memorial maintains its history of putting top quality athletes into the college ranks.

Colbert’s seniors next year look to be no different.

Defensive back Robert Joseph could be one of the best safety prospects in the state and is already receiving heavy interest from the likes of Iowa, Texas, Texas Tech, and Texas A&M among others.

Joseph along with fellow junior defensive tackle Don Holloway and wide receiver Jeremy McZeal are all outstanding players according to Colbert.

“(Holloway) is a very good athlete, comes off the ball real well, is real strong, and we’ll possibly look at him as defensive tackle this year along with the offensive line,” Colbert said. “Robert (Joseph) led our team in tackles this year as a defensive back and has the ability to cover ground on deep routes as well as cover the run.”

The 6-foot-2, 185 pound Joseph filled in for senior running back Charles this year at certain times, but Colbert says his junior player will be a very good defensive back at the Division I level.

“I just think he’s a versatile safety,” Cobert said.

“He’s just one of those players that is a good football player. He can return kickoffs and punts and is one of the best players I’ve coached. I think he’s a better player than Danny (Gorrer), who’s at A&M right now, at this point in his development.”

The wide receiver ranks are also well loaded for next year at Memorial with 6-foot-2, 180 pound McZeal.

“He’s a possession receiver that runs real good routes with the abilty to go deep combined with great leaping ability that can out-jump his defender,” Colbert said. “He has about a 325 pound squat max and is very strong – he breaks a lot of tackles.”

There is no doubt that each of these players has the ability to make an impact at the next level in college. Colbert has had his share of talent and has done an excellent job preparing these young men for the next level.

This is especially true when you look at what kind of player Charles looks to be on the next level. Colbert has many good things to say about the future Longhorn.

“Charles has just been an amazing player who I can’t say enough good things about,” Colbert said. “I’ve never seen him get caught from behind and he has that ability to get stronger as the game goes on. I think it will add that true speed dimension that Texas has wanted for a long time.”

Memorial continues to be a school at the forefront when it comes to finding top-notch talent during the 2006 recruiting cycle and beyond.