Power Ranking Top 10 2016 Recruits from State of Texas
How big is the state of Texas to college football recruiting in 2016? One look at the invitations offered to The Opening nationals this summer in Oregon tells all.
A record 13 athletes were invited to the prestigious Nike event, and 11 of the 13 were from the Lone Star State. Of the top 100 players in 247Sports' 2016 composite rankings, 12 are from Texas. Seven of those 12 are in the top 50.
Competition for the top spot in the state is as competitive and fun to watch as the athletes are on the football field during the regular season and in spring and summer camps and combines. And while it's still early for some athletes to make moves up the ladder, here's a list of 10 of the top recruits the state has to offer.
These athletes were chosen from game video analysis and combine analysis. The order was developed with the assistance of where they are ranked in the 247Sports composite rankings.
All player size measurements, unless noted, come from The Opening Dallas regional, which took place March 15 at Cravens Field in Arlington, Texas.
10. 4-Star LB Jeffrey McCulloch
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Hometown (school): Houston (Aldine Davis)
Size: 6'2.5" 230 lbs
247Sports composite ranking: No. 85 (No. 7 OLB)
Scouting report
You can't have a nickname of "The Shark" and not be shark-like. Jeffrey McCulloch plays as if he were a shark who smells blood. He's one of the best in the country at making a downhill tackle at full speed. It's his tenacity and overall power that has earned him more than 30 offers.
McCulloch, more than many recruits, is motivated by being the best—not the nation's best linebacker but the nation's best player. You see that motivation with everything McCulloch does on the field. He treated The Opening Dallas regional last week as if it was his swan song—and he was rewarded with an invite to The Opening nationals.
Recruitment status
McCulloch has 31 reported offers, but he's the first to say that he doesn't have any true favorites. He was at Texas' junior day last month, and most recently, he took an unofficial visit with his family to Alabama. Both schools, along with Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Oregon, LSU, Stanford, USC and UCLA are just a handful of the players to watch as his recruiting process maturates.
9. 4-Star TE Kaden Smith
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Hometown (school): Flower Mound, Texas (Marcus)
Size: 6'5.5", 235 lbs
247Sports composite ranking: No. 60 (No. 2 TE)
Scouting report
Kaden Smith is that offensive weapon who can be used in a variety of ways a the college level. He can be used as a blocking tight end or an H-back, but because of his excellent hands, he also can be used as a solid pass-catching option, maybe even a flex tight end in the right system.
Few tight ends are named "wide receiver MVP" at The Opening regional competitions. Smith showed he was just as talented as any of the receivers at The Opening Dallas. He put on a show by making catch after catch, regardless of the level of difficulty.
Recruitment status
Alabama and Clemson were two of his very first offers, and they are considered contenders for Smith. Stanford seems to be the team to beat for the time being, as Smith is a fan of both the athletic and academic resumes. Smith reiterated to Bleacher Report that he is listening to all of the schools that have offered, which means LSU, Texas, Baylor and others are very much alive with his recruitment.
8. 4-Star WR Devin Duvernay
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Hometown (school): Sachse, Texas (Sachse)
Size: 5'10.5", 193 lbs
247Sports composite ranking: No. 38 (No. 3 WR)
Scouting report
Devin Duvernay is an impressive prospect all around. He's put on roughly 15 pounds since the end of the 2014 season, and at the Dallas Nike Combine, he showed his speed, power and overall athleticism with a 4.38-second 40-yard dash, a 37-foot power ball toss and a 37.7-inch vertical jump.
On the field, Duvernay is as dangerous of an athlete as they come. He can serve as a slot receiver, an outside receiver, a running back and a special teams returner. Duvernay's explosiveness is going to cause defensive players fits at the college level.
Recruitment status
Duvernay is closing in on 40 offers, but he told Bleacher Report that every school that has offered has a chance of being the school he commits to. Per the 247Sports Crystal Ball, Texas and Texas A&M are the front-runners in the recruiting race. He and his twin brother, 3-star athlete Donovan Duvernay, are cousins to Texas A&M quarterback signee Kyler Murray.
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7. 4-Star DT Kendell Jones Jr.
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Hometown (school): Killeen, Texas (Shoemaker)
Size: 6'5", 361 lbs
247Sports composite ranking: No. 53 (No. 9 DT)
Scouting report
Kendell Jones Jr. has the nickname "Hulk." At first glance, it fits perfectly. Jones, physically, is a rare specimen, and when he imposes his size and power as a defensive lineman, he makes college coaches salivate. Jones is 361 pounds of muscle, and with the right coaching at the next level, he could be one of college football's most intimidating athletes.
Jones showed at The Opening Dallas regional that he's a classic bull-rush lineman, someone who looks forward to bullying interior offensive lineman in an effort to disrupt plays. He's an athlete who loves the weight room. He bench presses 420 pounds, squats 600 and deadlifts 610.
Recruitment status
According to the 247Sports Crystall ball, Texas is a favorite to land the big defensive tackle. Jones, however, told Bleacher Report that he is wide open with his recruiting process. He has offers from Baylor, Texas A&M, LSU, Oklahoma and others, in addition to Texas.
6. 5-Star S Eric Monroe
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Hometown: Houston (North Shore)
Size: 6'0", 180 lbs
247Sports composite ranking: No. 26 (No. 2 S)
Scouting report
Eric Monroe is one of the most versatile defensive players in the country. He can line up as a safety, a rover, an outside linebacker or a cornerback. Monroe is a solid tackler, and his coverage skills make him a player to watch at the next level.
Monroe is one of those players who will wow you with his ability to make adjustments quickly. He showcased his talents at The Opening Dallas regional, which led to him earning an invitation to The Opening national event in Oregon this summer.
Recruitment status
Monroe is one of those recruits who doesn't say much about his process. He was in attendance at both the Texas and Texas A&M junior days, and both schools are in good position to land him. Baylor also is expected to be a major player in Monroe's recruitment. If he chooses to play out of state, look for LSU to be a primary contender. Monroe was wearing LSU shorts at The Opening Dallas regional.
5. 5-Star DT Ed Oliver
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Hometown: Houston (Westfield)
Size: 6'2", 285 lbs
247Sports composite ranking: No. 24 (No. 7 DT)
Scouting report
Ed Oliver is a defensive tackle not only with a lot of strength but also with a high motor. He plays the same speed from the start of a play to the finish. Oliver's stock continues to rise because he's so active during a play. In fact, his extra effort on plays helps him to ultimately win battles against larger offensive linemen.
Oliver's strength is an advantage, but his quickness off the line of scrimmage is a major reason for him to be able to disrupt plays. He's quick enough to play defensive end, but he may be more serviceable as an interior lineman.
Recruitment status
Houston doesn't win too many battles against the Power Five big boys, but with Oliver, there's a legitimate chance the Cougars can score one of their biggest commits in years. LSU, Texas, TCU, Texas A&M, Baylor and Alabama also are in contention. LSU is considered an early leader, per 247Sports' Crystal Ball predictions.
4. 4-Star S Deontay Anderson
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Hometown (school): Manvel, Texas (Manvel)
Size: 6'0.5", 190 lbs
247Sports composite ranking: No. 37 (No. 3 S)
Scouting report
Deontay Anderson is one of those safeties who can produce a highlight in every play if given the opportunity. He has solid man-to-man coverage skills, and he's an aggressive tackler from the secondary. Anderson's athleticism and versatility puts him in the category of the elite safeties of the 2016 class.
One thing that really makes Anderson stand above others is his instinctive play. He is able to read offenses and react quickly, and he has been a clutch athlete when his team needed him most to break up a big pass play. It's this and more that earned him an invitation to compete at this year's The Opening as someone who competed at the event last year as an incoming junior.
Recruitment status
Anderson is nearing 40 offers, but he has a top 10 of Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, Texas, Texas A&M, TCU, USC, LSU, Mississippi State and Ole Miss. He said during The Opening Dallas regional that no school holds a legitimate lead, but the 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions are leaning toward Texas A&M. Alabama and LSU also are strong contenders.
3. 5-Star S Brandon Jones
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Hometown: Nacogdoches, Texas (Nacogdoches)
Size: 5'11", 183 lbs*
247Sports composite ranking: No. 20 (No. 1 S)
Scouting report
Brandon Jones, who has been recovering from a PCL injury since September, told Bleacher Report that he was cleared to return to the football field on Tuesday. That's great news for Jones, his team and college coaches recruiting him, bad news for those who have to line up against him. Even though he's been injured, Jones is considered the nation's top-ranked safety for a reason.
Whether it's playing the natural safety spot or lining up as a third cover corner, Jones has shown his worth since his sophomore year. He's a strong, versatile defender who is just as valuable making the big hit as he is playing a receiver for the pass breakup or interception.
Recruitment status
Jones most recently picked up three West Coast offers in UCLA, Oregon and Cal, but Texas A&M and LSU are two schools to keep an eye on as the spring progresses. Texas, Alabama, Ohio State and USC also are potential landing spots for Jones.
*—Jones did not compete at The Opening Dallas regional because of injury. His size measurements come from 247Sports.
2. 5-Star OT Patrick Hudson
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Hometown (school): Silsbee, Texas (Silsbee)
Size: 6'5.5", 325 lbs*
247Sports composite ranking: No. 12 (No. 2 OT)
Scouting report
Size, strength, explosiveness off the snap and overall tenacity. These are a few things that attract college coaches to Patrick Hudson. He's a long lineman who excels at run blocking and pass blocking, and his quickness makes him one to watch in pulling situations.
Because of his size and movement, Hudson is a versatile option and can see early playing time in college because of his versatility. He can play tackle but could get on the field earlier as a guard.
Recruitment status
Hudson committed to Baylor on July 18, 2014, after decommitting from Texas A&M last March. Hudson is considered a strong Baylor commit, but schools like LSU, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and, yes, Texas A&M, are hoping to change his mind before signing day February 2016.
*—Hudson did not compete at The Opening Dallas regional. His size measurements come from 247Sports.
1. 5-Star OT Greg Little
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Hometown (school): Allen, Texas (Allen)
Size: 6'6", 308 lbs
247Sports composite ranking: No. 2 (No. 1 OT)
Scouting report
What more needs to be said about Greg Little? As the nation's No. 2 player and top-ranked offensive tackle, Little has the size, the lateral quickness and the technique to be an elite college offensive lineman early in his career.
What may drive Little now is the shot at being the nation's overall No. 1 again. Little recently was jumped by 5-star New Jersey defensive tackle Rashan Gary in the 247Sports composite rankings after holding the top spot for months.
Recruitment status
Little is a Texas A&M commit and gave Kevin Sumlin his pledge since June 20, 2014. However, Little has picked up new offers from Alabama, Ohio State and UCLA since January. He told Bleacher Report that he's looking to take a few visits by the end of the summer to help finalize his decision. Keep an eye on Alabama, LSU, Georgia, Ohio State, USC and UCLA as schools that will push for Little to flip.
Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst with Bleacher Report. Player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles
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