Coach Elliott - SWEETFEETSPORTZ

Former Arlington Bowie Stand Out DE Mohamad Usman is on the prowl grinding his heart into dust chasing after his life long goal of playing in the NFL, Mohammad's football career begin on the field of the Arlington Jaguars and as a leader of a team struggling to make its name in the youth football community Muhammad was known back then as the little gritty kid with an attitude. Hard work and sheer dedication made Mr. Usman a prevalent player on his Arlington Bowie Volunteer team Under Coach Kenny Perry. Usman helped lead the Volunteers to a stunning 13-2 record his senior year. "Bowie was great, it change my future the program was just starting to take off compared to we're it is now so I liked to feel like we helped pave the way for Bowie football." Usman was a Rivals and Scout.com two star athlete coming out of High School and chose to start his collegiate career at the University of Houston under current Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin. Usman earned his way into the field early playing in eight games as a Freshman making his debut against Southern in the season opener.  Although recording 10 tackles in 9 games Usmans Houston's career would be short live as the NCAA would later cancel his ACT scores making him academically ineligible and taking away his scholarship forcing him to leave and continue his football career at Navarro Junior College. Although being obviously crushed by his change in circumstances Usman decided to prove himself worthy of returning to Division 1 football by becoming a leader on the Navarro defense recording 31 solo tackles 24 assisted tackles 2 tackles for loss and 5 sacks. "I did what I had to do to get scholarship offers, " says Mohammad. No doubt after a season like that Usman received multiple offers to return to Division 1 football and Arizona University was the best fit. By Usman's senior year he had become a solid veteran presence on the Wildcat defense. Although he was not picked in this years NFL Draft Usman continues working hard to prove he can earn a spot on an NFL team. This humble young man from Arlington, Tx doesn't want anything handed to him and all he has done since the day he put in his first helmet is play his heart out.  The kid known on the grid iron by aliases like Nigerian Nightmare, Beast, and Monster wants nothing more than an opportunity to continue playing the game he loves.

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.

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

5 Star Staff Searches the Internet to find success stories from 5 Star Performance campers! "One 5 Star Performance Camp Change Your Life"

BREAKING NEWS FROM KENTLAKE: CALEB SAULO A BEAVER

by Dirk Knudsen | Posted on Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

There was never really a doubt after he took the MVP at the WashingtonPreps powered 5 Star Performance Camp this Summer. Caleb Saulo is too big, too fast, and too gifted not to go all the way to the “Bigs”. And today that happened and we again have the breaking news first!

It was a great day for the 6’2″, 220 pound star athlete from Kent, Washington. It started good and ended great and Caleb shared the news with us tonight taking a quick break from his studies.

“Basically I got a phone call today from Coach Mike Riley of the OSU Beavers and he offered me a Full Ride scholarship to come and be a Beaver,” said the pumped up Saulo (pronounced S0-LOW).

This had been in the works for only a few days. The Beavers recently stepped up what had been passive interest over the Summer. And then things happened quickly.

“It started really less then 2 weeks ago. They sent an assistant up to see me and got my transcripts and asked for my film. Everything checked out great. My Coach said he was felling good about the Beavers and I guess he was right,” he added.

So late today he gathered together with his family and his brain-trust and made a decision. This was going to be his shot.

“Tonight I called Coach back and sealed the deal. So I am 100% committed to be a Beaver next season.”

He has been to Corvallis and is familiar with the program. But there is no inside track here or former team mate or cousin or any of that with ties to the team. It was just a sudden aggressive move on behalf of Riley and staff and in our view a great one.