No more small recruiting classes for DFW area
I remember vividly when I said that the 2016 high school recruiting period for our area might be the most robust Northeast Tarrant County has ever seen.
Well, I could be, and should be, wrong about that. And there’s a good reason. So far, this area has seen eight players give verbal commitments.
Carroll has safety Robert Barnes (Oklahoma) and offensive lineman Carson Green (Texas A&M). Justin Northwest features wide receiver Gavin Holmes (Iowa) and linebacker Caden McDonald (San Diego State). Keller Timber Creek offensive lineman Alan Ali (SMU), Colleyville Heritage quarterback Cam Roane (San Diego State), Keller defensive lineman Spenser Misko (Oklahoma State) and Birdville offensive lineman Jared Hocker (Texas Tech) round out this group.
But by the time National Signing Day 2017 arrives on Feb. 1, NET should see that number of Division I signees move well into the teens. Consider that there are other players that already have offers and could commit either during the season or sometime after it.
Dragons defensive lineman Luke Jeter likely will find a place. Keller Fossil Ridge defensive end Tyler Mitchell has at least two offers between New Mexico and Fresno State. Running back Anthony Smith has an offer from UT-San Antonio.
Keller Central safety/outside linebacker Josh Cilumba has the academies chasing him. Keller Timber Creek may have a couple that emerge after Ali. Grapevine linebacker Brennan Davis and possibly nose tackle Brian Andrews. Euless Trinity is never short of Division I players. Defensive back John Davis already has three finalists in Texas Tech, Kansas State and Utah.
That’s just a start. The recruiting process is never ending. When it comes to programs trying to fill their classes, coaches will become aggressive and find that one player that few or none know of. This area, though, is becoming fertile enough for them to check on it frequently.
Why is this happening? It’s pretty simple. This area’s rapid growth is producing more high schools. That leads to more teams. That leads to more players. That leads to more opportunities. That leads to more players signing a National Letter of Intent.
The growth is only going to advance. The Northwest ISD has long-term plans to expand to as few as eight and as many as 10 high schools. Don’t be surprised if the new school V.R. Eaton’s stay in 5A lasts only the required two school years. It likely is going to move up to 6A in 2018.
The other communities are somewhat landlocked. However, the Keller schools will continue to grow and should never drop down below Class 6A. Whether or not Carroll ever drops back to 5A or if Colleyville Heritage and/or Grapevine move back up to 6A, may not matter. These programs are always going to be attractive enough and probably successful enough to lure move-ins.
Gone are the days of this area maybe having one or two Division I recruits. In the future, that first Wednesday in February is always going to be a time for something significant.
About Zack Sanchez
The risk that Keller Central product Zack Sanchez took to declare for the NFL draft is palpable. When he signed his rookie deal (he was taken in the fifth round by Carolina), he signed a four-year deal worth $2.6 million. But the reality of NFL contracts is that they are not fully guaranteed. Only $272,461 is guaranteed. That’s his signing bonus, which is broken down to a little more than $68,000 per season. That means when he reports to training camp next week (July 28), the serious work of earning that money begins.
But if you know anything about Sanchez, he’s not short of confidence. Carolina needs help in the secondary as it pursues a second consecutive NFC championship and trip to the Super Bowl.
This story was originally published July 18, 2016 at 1:45 PM with the headline "No more small recruiting classes for DFW area."