The 2020 season was in jeopardy a few months ago due to COVID-19, but we pushed through, and with most of the country now playing games numerous prospects have emerged. We take a look at 10 juniors across the South-Central Region that have made a name for themselves this fall.
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RELATED: Southeast prospects now on the radar | West Coast | East Coast | Midwest
CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
COVERAGE: Rivals Transfer Tracker | Rivals Camp Series
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Three games into Lewisville's season, Martinez has amassed a dozen rushing touchdowns and leads Class 6A schools in Dallas with nearly 600 yards on 65 attempts. Kansas extended an offer to the 6-foot, 220-pounder, who is averaging nearly 10 yards per carry. Martinez is a bully between the tackles and he also has some elusiveness in the open field.
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Gunn is establishing himself as one of the toughest runners with big-play ability in Louisiana through the early portion of Scotlandville's schedule. In three games, the 5-foot-11, 195-pounder has piled up 1,087 yards on 90 carries with 13 scores. He has another 94 yards via seven catches. Gunn clocked an 11.27-second 100-meter this spring and has a 22.3 time in the 200-meter. New Mexico, Tulane, Southern and Louisiana Tech have already offered, and Texas has inquired about the junior back.
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Maryland popped on the radar in the Southlake Carroll's Week 1 tune-up against DeSoto, emerging as five-star quarterback Quinn Ewers' go-to receiver in the short and intermediate passing game. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Maryland is the son of former Miami standout and Dallas Cowboys first-round pick Russell Maryland. He's a big-framed pass-catcher with reliable hands and is a playmaker after the catch.
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There is a bevy of talent in north Louisiana, and Dubose is a defensive back that has caught steam early on in his junior campaign. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound cornerback boasts length, excellent coverage skills and has mustered two interceptions in three games so far. He's seeing action on the outside and in the slot. Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Arkansas have all extended early overtures.
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Much of the spotlight in the Bayou belongs to five-star defensive tackle Maason Smith, but his teammate has been garnering plenty of necessary attention through the early part of the season. Lucas, the younger brother of Florida State freshman Ja'Khi Douglas, has been putting up video-game statistics the past three weeks, with 596 yards and nine total scores while seeing action in the backfield, in the slot and in the return game. Virginia offered during an atypical offseason, but the Cavs will soon have some competition as Lucas continues to churn out highlights.
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Dallas Jesuit introduced Fitzgerald to its offense and defense this fall, and through three games the versatile Swiss-Army Knife has been a playmaker wherever he lines up on the field. A safety by trade, the 5-foot-11, 195-pound Fitzgerald tracks the ball well, covers a ton of ground and doesn't shy away from being physical with pass-catchers. He's also taken a good number of snaps at quarterback and flashed some toughness as a runner. Colorado was the first Power Five offer to arrive for Fitzgerald, who is beginning to turn heads with his play.
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Ross brings a ton of athleticism to the Galena Park North Shore defensive line, and he has the tools to pressure the quarterback and slow down the running game. He's a good tackler with superb short-area quickness and he's also a strong-enough shed tackler to get to the ball and get down the line. UTSA was the first to offer Ross after his first start, but he is putting himself on schools' radars across the country.
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Emory has put himself on the radar with a strong open to his junior season. The 6-foot-3, 270-pounder sees action inside at tackle and on the edge, and he has special burst off the line. That has translated to a good display of plays made in the backfield. Emory still needs to work on consistency and improving his strength, but there's a lot of upside there. UTSA and Tennessee have put offers on the table.
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Playing in the nickel is a daunting task, but Hemphill has been excellent manning that role in the Brenham secondary in the first half of the season. The 5-foot-10, 175-pounder clocked a 22.2 in the 200-meter earlier this year and the speed is translating to his play on the field. Hemphill has been strong in coverage, a sure tackler in the open field and improved his ability to disrupt receivers' routes at the line. He's also managed some gadget plays on offense and returned an interception 72 yards to the house last week against Leander Glenn. Kansas and Memphis have each offered, and SMU, TCU and Cincinnati may not be far off.
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Schools have taken notice of Bennett's size (6-foot-1, 200 pounds) and versatility this fall. Bennett has corralled a pair of interceptions so far, and he has seen snaps in the nickel and back deep at free safety, showing off his ability to cover and track the football, defend the run and his closing speed. Bennett plays downhill, and Colorado, Boston College and Michigan State have all offered. Arkansas and Memphis are also showing increased interest.
