Hard Work Paying off as 2017 4-Star CB Chevin Calloway's Recruitment on the Rise

DALLAS — It wasn't long ago when Chevin Calloway was addressed as "who?"

Now Calloway, one of the major contributors for Dallas' Bishop Dunne High School, is a national player to watch in the 2017 class—a top-10 cornerback, in fact.

As Texas high school football prepares for its first week of play this weekend, Calloway has been in midseason form since spring workouts. The 5'10", 180-pound defensive back has been impressive in every setting he's graced, and he has parlayed his hard work into more than 20 offers, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Alabama, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, Ole Miss and the in-state schools representing the Big 12 and the SEC.

At the beginning of the year, Calloway was an unranked prospect. He's now a 4-star cornerback who is ranked No. 88 overall in the 2017 class.

"I'm feeling real good," Calloway said. "With all of these offers coming in, and with all the love the different colleges are showing, it's really exciting. It's like a dream come true."

Ask Bishop Dunne coach Michael Johnson about Calloway, and his story reminds you of the athlete every coach wants on his team. Johnson will give the speech about Calloway being one of the first on the field and one of the last to leave. He'll talk about Calloway's leadership ability, despite being only a junior.

But watching Calloway perform on the field will easily help to cosign Johnson's comments. If he isn't making a jarring hit, he's serving his team as a ball-hawking defender looking for an interception. There's a reason why Johnson calls Calloway "the hardest-working athlete I have ever coached."

"Chevin is a smooth and explosive athlete who has excellent hips," Johnson said. "His press coverage is suburb, and his field awareness is excellent. He is a hard worker who trains like he is the last man on the roster, but that is what makes him great."

Notre Dame was the first school to offer Calloway on Jan. 28. Since then, his stock has escalated tremendously. The month of May proved to be a breakout month for him, as he landed 10 offers combined. 

His performance at Alabama's camp in early June earned him an offer from the Crimson Tide. Iowa was the latest school to offer him.

Calloway, who began his varsity career at nearby Red Oak High School, still remembers being the player looking for any kind of recognition. It's almost uncanny to think that seven months ago, he was hoping for one school to take a chance on him with a scholarship offer.

"It's a crazy transition," he said. "I remember starting my freshman year at Red Oak playing varsity. I didn't get any recognition, but I kept working and kept pushing."

"I told myself I was going to be at that top level one day. I thank God for where I'm at right now."

Calloway still has a year to give recruiting his full, undivided attention, and he did say he is interested in taking a couple of unofficial visits when it doesn't interfere with Bishop Dunne's regular season. For now, he's focused on being a defensive catalyst, as Bishop Dunne looks to repeat as a state champion on the Texas private school circuit.

For Calloway, it's all about getting better each day and becoming more of a versatile defensive weapon. And as he gets better, more schools take notice.

"It's been a little overwhelming, but I don't let it get to me," Calloway said. "I just take everything one step at a time. Right now, I'm looking at different schools and what fits me most."

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles