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.

When it is too late for an athlete to comeback, or better yet at what point has an athlete put himself in a situation where colleges can no longer take a chance on a top rated recruit.

2011 Arlington Bowie Safety Quentin Sergent was one of the most recognized athletes in the state of Texas since the age of 12. I would have to write an entire book to tell his story, but I will do my best to tell you as much as I possibly can in this article. It will be a good read because I was fortunate to be a part of the glory years.

"Q Sargent" as they call him was on the winning side of life at an early age. Field days, city championship, pee wee championships, spring football MVP awards, all city teams, all district, 3 star ratings on rivals.com and a multi-division I offered athlete. He had accomplished all you can accomplish as a young athlete in the great state of Texas. The problem with all this success he received on the straight away track is there were no speed limit signs. Plenty of caution flags, but no speed limit signs. So as the road started to wind and twist he never took his foot off the gas. Quentin ran into several trees and hit multiple road bumps that made his senior year a disaster. He landed in Arizona to finish his high school days without sports. It was strategic move on his sister/mothers part to get him off the path to self destruction. Things started looking up for Sargent. He soon landed in Division I limbo, "Junior College". Not a bad place to be stuck because players like Cam Newton have landed in such a place and history has been written. After a couple stabs at JC, Sargent hadn't yet realized to accomplish the ultimate dream; he had to get out of his own way. He would have to for the first time look failure into the face and say, "I’m not ready yet!" Picked up the phone to call lifelong friend and former mentor Clarence Nevels and say, "I will do whatever it takes to get back on the field"

This article was written so that young athletes know that college is a privilege. It is not a right. The road to college is a rough as you make it. Quentin Sargent will get his chance at redemption. It won't be easy making those around him believe, but what does it matter if he believes in himself. His father was quoted saying, "whether you think you can or can’t, your right." I believe in Quentin Sargent so I will use all of my resources to get him another shot. He will have to make the ultimate sacrifice, but the reward will match his hard work. Celebrate with me the Rise of a fallen star. God bless Quentin on his journey back.

College coaches and friends if you have question, or would like more information on Quentin Sargent please give me a call at 214-215-3726 just ask for Coach