Texas lineman wanted on both sides

Midlothian, Texas, star Jordan Shoemaker is a two-way threat that has schools from all over the Midlands Region thinking hard about where he might end up at. But make no mistake, whether its offensive guard or strongside defense end, the 6-foot-3, 258-pounder has an impressive game.

"We just had our first practice (Monday)," Shoemaker said. "We had a conditioning test, where we had to run 15 110-yard dashes. For people that were in shape it was easy, and that included me, because I've been working hard all summer at getting in great shape."

He's also been working hard at refining his game.

"I'm a lot faster and my technique has gotten a lot better," Shoemaker said. "I've also improved my technique a lot on defense. Nobody is going to get their hands on me when I'm on defense this year. I'm that much quicker."

Shoemaker does have some good scholarship offers to consider. He has written offers from UTEP, Houston and SMU. He said UTEP told him he could play either side of the ball, Houston likes him on offense and SMU wants him to play defense. Shoemaker also is getting interest from North Carolina, Kansas, Oklahoma State and several other schools throughout the Midlands Region.

"SMU is a good academic school," he said. "But everybody is about the same with me. I want to watch them play this year, so I can go out there and recruit them too. I'm going to go to a lot of games and see what it's like at some schools.

"I'll go ahead and play my senior season and then think about the schools."