5 College Football Recruits Who Had an Explosive Week

This exhilarating high school football season continues to supply us with highlights during the final stretch of championship chases across America. Thanksgiving weekend annually reignites by pitting crosstown rivals against each other, capping off the careers of many players no longer in playoff contention.

However, a small percentage of standouts is set to spend the next phase of life competing in college. Each week, we keep a close eye on prospects who performed at a high level.

We continue our cross-country tour in the wake of a busy holiday weekend, focusing on recruits who could someday come to a campus near you.

4-star 2016 wide receiver Tren'Davian Dickson, Navasota High School (Navasota, Texas)

Despite his status as just a high school junior, Dickson already demands consideration as an all-time Texas great. The 6'1", 178-pound playmaker captured the state's single-season touchdown record Friday with a four-score performance against El Campo High School, per Kevin Askeland of MaxPreps.

Dickson moved beyond the 27-year-old Texas mark of 33 touchdown receptions and tied the national record with score No. 34 in a 56-34 victory. He finished the contest with seven catches for 204 yards, according to Tim Schnettler of The Eagle.

His junior season could still last multiple games, but Dickson's production is already astounding. Through 13 unbeaten contests, he has 69 receptions for 1,819 yards and 34 touchdowns.

Dickson committed to Baylor this summer but understandably continues to draw interest from other programs.

3-star 2015 athlete Deshawn Capers-Smith, Warren Easton High School (New Orleans, Louisiana)

The versatile playmaker is expected to land in the defensive backfield when he arrives on campus. For now, he's making an immense offensive impact for an attack that also features 5-star wide receiver Tyron Johnson.

Capers-Smith completed 19 pass attempts for 311 yards and three scores in a 55-7 victory over Benton High School, per Brian Perroni of 247Sports. The resounding win sends Warren Easton into state semifinal action.

The 5'11.5", 173-pound prospect picked apart the opposing defense, launching touchdown strikes of 22, 30 and 43 yards. Capers-Smith also showed off his wheels, tallying 78 rushing yards and another two scores on the ground.

He committed to Texas A&M in February after weighing scholarship offers from Missouri, Boise State, UCLA and Texas Tech.

Credit: 247Sports

3-star 2015 quarterback Nathan Elliott, Celina High School (Celina, Texas)

The 6'1.5", 195-pound passer put up huge numbers in an impressive playoff victory over Iowa Park High School. Elliott, a North Carolina commit, connected on 17 of 27 attempts for 226 yards and six touchdowns, according to Chris O'Dell of the Celina Record.

He pushed the team to its 11th win of the season and helped establish a 35-0 lead that eventually resulted in a 56-27 drubbing of Iowa Park. Elliott also established a new career milestone, surpassing 100 career touchdown passes in the process.

The four-year starter has a chance to pile on that total as state playoffs continue.

"That's a great thing," Celina coach Bill Elliott told O'Dell. "That's something that's special for him, but I know he's more about the team winning than anything else."

He pledged to UNC in April, spurning offers from Arizona State and Army, among others.

Credit: 247Spors

Unrated 2016 linebacker Taylor Sweatt, Argyle High School (Argyle, Texas)

Expect to hear plenty more about this rangy Texas defender if he continues to put out efforts like the one he produced in a narrow playoff victory Kennedale High School. Sweatt secured 26 total tackles, including a huge stop behind the line of scrimmage to halt a fake punt attempt, per Michael Florek of The Dallas Morning News.

Among his production, 17 tackles were of the solo variety. He now has 155 tackles and six sacks as a junior.

“He’s a fast, explosive player," Argyle coach Todd Rodgers told Florek. "He wears a lot of hats on our football team. ... He’s a good, disciplined player and he was able to come up with some critical plays in the right positions of the game.”

A lack of ideal collegiate size—Sweatt stands 5'9", 180 pounds—has inhibited his ability to draw expansive high-level FCS interest to this point. But another year of physical maturation and on-field production could alter the situation.

Credit: 247Sports

3-star running back Ryquell Armstead, Millville High School (Millville, New Jersey)

The 6'0", 200-pound workhorse rusher led the Thunderbolts to a Thanksgiving victory over rival Vineland High School. Armstead lifted his team to a late rally, scoring a pair of second-half touchdowns in the 44-40 win, per Jason Mazda of the Press of Atlantic City.

He finished with four total touchdown runs—including two from more than 30 yards out—to punctuate a successful high school career. He collected 318 yards on 28 carries, adding a huge tackle for loss on defense during Vineland's final drive of the contest.

Armstead set the tone early, rushing for 218 yards before intermission.

"Just following my linemen," he told Mazda. "Reading the cuts and just making it happen."

Armstead committed to Temple in June over Old Dominion and Virginia.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.