How transfer football players could impact at Southlake, Colleyville, Grapevine

Player movement in high school football is becoming more and more noticeable. It’s become a primary offseason story, sometimes eclipsing the story of what the spring football season will bring.

High school football coaches recognize they can’t build their season hopes on the potential addition of two or three players. However, Southlake Carroll, Colleyville Heritage and Grapevine each had the good fortune of welcoming potentially difference-making transfers.

Most of them arrived in time for the second semester to go through the offseason. Others arrived in the summer.

Fall camp for all three schools begins on Aug. 14. Here’s a breakdown of these transfers and what they could mean as 2017 looms.

Southlake Carroll: The Dragons have a pair of Coppell transfers in running back T.J. McDaniel (arrived in January) and sophomore safety/quarterback Jacob Fex. Carroll coach Hal Wasson said the plan is for McDaniel to split time in the backfield with senior Tavian Gould.

McDaniel, a junior, is both a rushing and receiving threat. McDaniel was the third-highest rusher for the Cowboys at 360 yards. But he really wasn’t a part of the Cowboys passing game, only catching one pass. Gould was hampered by injuries in 2016 and played in only six games. At full strength, the Dragon 2017 running game could prove very versatile.

Fex could add several things as a two-way player. Since Fex just arrived, Wasson said he’s going to need to see him in fall camp to determine where he fits.

Colleyville Heritage: The Panthers have QB transfer Jagger LaRoe from Dallas Bishop Lynch, senior Virginia move-in Blake Elliott and Lake Dallas sophomore transfer athlete Drew Sanders.

By now, you know LaRoe, a senior who arrived in January, is locked in a battle for the starting quarterback job with senior Landry French. Head coach Joe Willis has said he will not name a starter until sometime during fall camp.

After arriving earlier this summer, Elliott (5-10, 180) is a making the adjustment where he was previously focused on basketball. Fall camp should reveal if he can be a starting safety, fit into the two-deep or find another role.

Sanders might be the biggest transfer of the season. He’s a bona fide Division I recruit with several offers, including Baylor. Panthers fans could expect to see him play some quarterback on certain situations, linebacker in others and tight end. Sanders (6-4, 215) has the size to play anywhere.

Grapevine: Head coach Mike Alexander got three players who may look the same in Mansfield Timberview junior transfer Jayden McClure (5-8, 180), Northwest V.R. Eaton senior transfer Jordan Brooks-Wess (5-8, 165) and Grapevine Faith junior transfer Seth Texada (5-7, 180). However, each can contribute.

Texada, who is cousins with TCU defensive back Ranthony Texada and Baylor defensive back Raleigh Texada, is … surprise … a defensive back. However, Alexander sees a bigger role for him. Alexander would like for Texada to play about 60 snaps at cornerback and about 20 snaps on offense. The goal is about two offensive touches per quarter.

Brooks-Wess had an impressive summer with the Grapevine 7 on 7 team, where he was quick off the line and able to separate from defenders.

McClure is likely targeted to as a slot receiver and could also see some time at safety. As for any of them as starters, fall camp will determine that.

This story was originally published August 1, 2017 at 11:43 AM with the headline "How transfer football players could impact at Southlake, Colleyville, Grapevine."