Published by: Marlon Hill, Tag Team Sportz

I’m going to blog about a few student athletes who really have what it takes to play big time college football on the next level.  These players should fill out the stat sheets these next couple of years.  They are players who need to have breakout years in order to get some of the attention of sports writers:

• Corey Hunt - North Mesquite High School Class of 2014:  Corey is on a team that has little to no D1 talent on it.  Although Corey is the light in the dark tunnel he is a very good running back.  Pretty much anything that he gets in this offense will be done on his own.  I still look for Corey to put up 1,000 yards rushing and be effective in the passing game.  He is a very strong RB with great leg drive on his runs.  He does not do much shake and bake making him a North-South runner.  Corey has the power of a fullback but just enough speed to not get caught from behind.  Corey runs with reckless abandon running through any defender in his way.  When he is on the field, Corey reminds me a lot of Mark Ingram with his running style & toughness. 

• Marcus “Showtime” Perkins - Garland Naaman Forest Class of 2014:  Marcus nicknamed “Showtime” for that reason is special.  He is a kid that leaves you wondering – “ how did he do that” quite often.  At 5’9”, 175lbs “Showtime” plays the Receiver position with style and flamboyance.  Marcus is a true fighter for the deep balls that are thrown his way.  One on one with a DB is like caged money for Marcus.  He loves the deep ball and works hard on his routes.  He is a guy to keep an eye on this season.  Marcus reminds me of Mike Wallace because of his deep threat potential. 

• Gavin Buford – Hebron High School Class of 2014 – At 6’1”, 185lbs, he is a linebacker for Hebron who is a complete animal.  Gavin is playing his position on high instincts.  A long wirey kid he has so much potential because he plays from sideline to sideline chasing everything.  The term play til the whistle blows is something that he lives by.  Gavin has all of the instincts to blow up a lot of the plays that are run his way.  His speed is good and he will get better this year as he did last year.  He led his team in tackles last year as a super sophomore and should do the same as a junior.  Gavin should become a highly recruited player after this season when scouts all over the country realize this kid’s motor and determination.  He reminds me of a player who came out of the DFW/Metroplex in 1989 and had a great college and professional career – Jessie Armstead.  Enough said.

• Devante Pullum – Little Elm High School Class of 2013 – Devante is a QB who is slippery when wet.  But when his uniform is dry, he can give a defense a fit with his cat like reflexes.  He is a dual threat athlete who should take his team pretty far this upcoming season.  DeVante is a good enough athlete to play some DB as well.  Keep an eye on this kid.   

Who’s Got Next?

By: Marlon Hill

As a scout/analyst for TagTeamSportz I see plenty of athletes across the DFW metroplex.  I have had the pleasure to watch these student athletes as a fan for a couple of years now. Some of the players I have watched and coached football against since their 7th and 8th grade years.  For this coming football season I will speak about players from the 2013-2017 class.  I only speak about athletes that I have either seen on film or in person. Some of the athletes are well known in the area.  I will not speak much about players who are already highly regarded in the recruiting world.  That is why this article is called Who Got Next.

• Jake Raulerson - Celina High School Class of 2013 (verbal to Texas) - This kid in my opinion has been dominating on the gridiron since his 7th grade year.  He is arguably the most high profile recruit in the area in his class.  Jake has great footwork and agility as an offensive lineman at 3A Celina. I have watched him run, block, and take his man 20 yards downfield. His pass blocking is exceptional as well.  Jake can also go to the other side of the ball as a DT and dominate. He is a man among boys, and UT has recruited very well.   He physically reminds me of Joe Thomas.

• Jamal Adams - Hebron High School Class of 2014 - Jamal is a starter on the varsity squad since his freshman year.  He is a kid who brings a certain “WOW” factor to the game from his safety position.  He will come up from his safety position and knock your block off.  Jamal also has an uncanny ability as a ball hawk.  When Jamal intercepts the ball he turns into a RB as he has been all during his youth football career.  He will also double as a WR for Hebron with his 6’1 size and 195 wt.  As a junior in the DFW Metroplex, keep an eye on this kid as the 2013 season begins.  His nickname -  that should become popular - is “Judge.”  One of his biggest intangibles is that he can motivate other players around him because of his leadership skills.   I predict Jamal will be the number one player to come out of high school in Texas in 2014.  When I think of NFL safeties he reminds me of the late Sean Taylor!

• Kelton Moore, QB – Arlington Seguin High School Class of 2014 – Kelton played his sophomore year on varsity as a backup QB and starting slot receiver.  His numbers were mediocre at both positions.  Kelton became the full time starter at QB at the end of the season.  That experience will set him up to run his offensive coordinatiors zone read system.  He is a 6’1, 185lb kid.  Very explosive runner who runs with patience.  Kelton is also a physical runner who punishes defenders in his way.  The trick with this kid is he can play on defense as well.  I look for Kelton to have a huge year in 4A football.  I will also predict that Kelton will have 30 scores for his team this year.  If scouts are watching (and they should be) they may want to look at him as a safety.  He is a freakish athlete.  Cam Newton comes to mind when I watch Kelton play.

• Treyvon Marsh, RB/Mesquite Horn High School Class of 2013 – Treyvon is a scatback with power and enough speed to burn.  He does a lot for Mesquite Horn as an athlete at his school.  His vision is very good as he approaches a hole and explodes past defenders.  Treyvon should be a top rusher at Mesquite Horn.  He puts you in the mind of Ray Rice with his unique ability.

• Ellis Jefferson, WR/Denton Guyer High School Class of 2013 – Before the 2011 season I met this kid at a football camp and my thoughts were “If he can add 10 – 20 pounds to his skinny frame, get faster, and develop a dog mentality, he could become a stud.”  I watched him during his junior year and he had plenty of what you want from a big time recruit.  Fast Forward to Spring 2012……… All I could say when I saw him recently was “check, check, check.”  All of the concerns I had are no longer there.  Ellis is a 6’4 animal with 210lbs of great body weight.  Does he have a nastiness about him?  Absolutely.  He fights for the ball while its in the air (with confidence that exhibits this is my ball only) and any jump ball is considered his.  “EJ” has an upside that should have scouts from coast to coast drooling.  Look for EJ to sign a four year scholarship soon.  He reminds me of AJ Green with his dominating presence.