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.