TEXAS 7-on-7: Top players | Day 1 | Day 2 | Preview

Rivals.com analyst Brian Perroni spent the weekend covering the Texas 7-on-7 State Championship at Texas A&M. Here are three things he learned from the event.

Houston Kinkaid quarterback Ford Childress plays for a small private school in a state where private programs do not compete with their public counterparts. Though he put up solid numbers a year ago there was some doubt as to whether the 6-foot-4, 215-pound West Virginia commit was simply a product of lesser competition. In leading his team to the Division II championship game Childress put on a show.

He performed as well as or better than higher-ranked prospects such as Clayton Nicholas and Preston Dewey, and will get another strong look this fall to move up in the rankings.

Though 7-on-7 success does not always translate to the actual football field, it certainly can't hurt. In the case of DeSoto, the fast-paced passing game is very similar to its offense in the fall. DeSoto made the semifinals in the state tournament two years ago and followed it up with a trip to the finals last year. This year, they took home the trophy. Despite the graduation of record-breaking quarterback Ryan Polite as well as three FBS wide receiver signees, the Eagle offense is still dangerous. Wide receivers Ridge Jones and Vondrick Jackson, and running backs Devin Rushing and Dontre Wilson are all dangerous with the ball in their hands.

The defense is good as well with perhaps the state's top pair of corners in Bryson Echols and Jalen Mills. After making it to the regional finals on the field last fall, DeSoto looks poised to make a run as it did in 7-on-7 play.

A year after producing five-star wide receiver Trey Metoyer, the state of Texas is not quite as deep at the position in the class of 2012. However, if this weekend is any indication, the class of 2013 has the potential to be on par with 2011. Torii Hunter Jr. was the standout in Division II pool play on Thursday and, while he is still learning the intricacies of the position, the Prosper prospect has all the tools.

On Friday, Austin Lake Travis' Dannon Cavil, Dallas Jesuit's Jake Oliver, Houston Cy Falls' Jacorey Warrick and Tyler John Tyler's Gregory Ward all had strong showings for their respective teams. Cavil and Oliver already hold early offers and it would be no surprise to see Warrick and Ward follow suit soon.

[rl]