Rosemond a hidden gem

Cypress (Texas) Cy Springs went 0-10 a year ago but the Panthers showed signs of being competitive. With a lot of talent on the team returning, things could turn around behind new head coach Rick Cobia this season.

Despite the on-field woes for Cy Springs, junior defensive back Dila Rosemond has received quite a bit of interest from colleges including quite a few offers for the 5-foot-10, 180-pound prospect.

"So far the ones that I do know of are Utah, Texas State and SMU," Cobai said of Rosemond's offers. "I don't know the others right now. Those are just the three that I've seen multiple times come in and know they've offered."

Rosemond says a few other programs have also extended offers as well.

"I've gotten quite a few offers," Rosemond said. "Utah, Texas State, (Texas) A&M, SMU, Purdue and Houston have offered me so far.

"They all started not too long ago. Utah was the first school to offer me. It was towards the middle of my track season so not too long ago. Texas A&M, one of their new coaches, I guess he was doing some recruiting in the area and he came up to the school and really liked me and offered."

In addition to the programs that have already offered, several other schools have taken notice of Rosemond and could also be close to offering.

"Oklahoma has been here," Cobia said. "I've seen them once or twice. Texas has come through and liked him. A&M, TCU, University of Houston, LSU, New Mexico, North Texas and Boise State have all been looking seriously at him. Some others have too."

Rosemond plays mostly defense and special teams for Cy Springs but his role will expand a bit this upcoming season. Colleges see him at a number of spots at the next level.

"He'll play free safety, receiver, obviously all special teams and he plays running back as well," Cobia said. "The kid has tremendous acceleration.

"Texas State likes him as a boundary corner. The Utes like him as a free safety and they even brought a special teams guy to watch some video on him so they like him as a kick returner/punt returner. SMU, they like him as a free safety."

Rosemond says some colleges have mentioned playing on offense as well.

"Most of the schools are looking at me as a safety," he said, "but two or three of them are looking at me as a receiver. I enjoy playing safety because I've played that a lot but I could play offense too. I really enjoy special teams though and they all want me to return kicks."

Rosemond has yet to see any college campuses but will be attending several camps in the very near future.

"I haven't visited anywhere yet but I'm going to a lot of camps this coming week," he said. "There's a bunch of them that are around here this coming week so I'll go to a lot of them. I know I'm going to the Baylor one because they want to see me and possibly offer. I'm also going to A&M, Houston and basically any ones in this area."

Though the recruiting attention has only recently started for Rosemond, he does have an early top group.

"Right now I have a top five," he said. "My top five is Utah, Baylor, Houston, Texas State and University of Texas."

Though Rosemond is the top prospect at Cy Springs, a couple other players are getting attention as well.

"Utah has really put a lot of interest directed [Rosemond's] way but they're also interested in our running back Tre'veon Jackson," Cobia said. "He had close to 1,200 yards rushing in this tough district. Our quarterback Terrance Jackson , two schools have come in and are really interested in him. This team went 0-10 but they were young last year. It's all cyclical in this district so maybe the year of getting their heads pounded in will help us to be a really good football team this year."

As a junior Rosemond recorded 39 solo tackles, 12 assists and returned a kickoff for a touchdown.