Aledo has two recruits sign with TCU during early signing period; two others sign elsewhere

Wyatt Harris and his older brother Wes can debate about one of their favorite subjects again.

“It’s going to be a competition again,” an enthusiastic Wyatt said. “Me and Wes, we’d come home from school and yap about offense and defense when we were both at Aledo. I’m hoping to line up against him again.”

That became a stronger possibility on Wednesday when Wyatt, like two siblings before him, signed his National Letter of Intent to play football for TCU. The linebacker is one of four senior Bearcats who signed with Division I teams during the NCAA’s early signing period, and one of two to agree to play for the Horned Frogs next season.

Joining him en route to TCU is defensive end Colt Ellison, who also has a family connection to the school through his grandmother who attended.

Also signing from the Bearcats were offensive linemen Cameron Callaway and Chandler Knandel. Callaway is going to play for Army and attend West Point, while Knandel will play for Central Arkansas.

“Ever since Wes committed I knew I wanted to go to TCU,” Wyatt said.

Wes is currently a redshirt freshman offensive lineman for the Horned Frogs. His brother Hunter is a student at TCU and a former member of the team. They also had a grandmother who attended.

Despite missing the first seven games of the 2018 season with a hamstring injury, Wyatt has posted 41 tackles (24 solo, 10 for a loss) for the Bearcats (15-0), who are playing Fort Bend Marshall (15-0) for the Class 5A Division II state championship Friday night at AT&T Stadium. He has been named all-state in two seasons (2016-17).

Ellison suffered injuries to his ACL and MCL late in the regular season. Still, he finished with 43 tackles, including 22 solo and 10 for a loss. He also registered 6.5 sacks in eight games. This season was his second consecutive to be named all-state.

“Before I got the offer I told my mom that if TCU offers I’m going there,” said Ellison, who received over 25 offers, including from Notre Dame, Mississippi, and Washington. “TCU is close to home. My family can come see me, and I like Gary Patterson as a defensive coach.”

Knandel said he chose Central Arkansas because, “They have what I want to major in (physical therapy), and it felt like home.”

Central Arkansas is located in Conway, a short drive outside Little Rock.

“Every place they’re going, those schools will be happy they got them,” Aledo head coach Steve Wood said. “These guys have done everything we’ve asked, and we’ve asked a lot.”

Aledo athletic director Tim Buchanan said, “They’re all just great kids. We’re going to miss them. But I don’t call it a free education.They work very hard to get this.”

Between Buchanan (1998, 2009-11, 2013) and Wood (2014, 2016), Aledo has won seven state championships.

“All of them kept that tradition going,” Buchanan said of the quartet.

All four players agreed the reason they chose to sign early is there was no reason to wait. Their minds were made up.

“West Point is the place in my heart I want to be,” Callaway said. “I took a visit for their spring game, and there was this gut feeling I had.”

Callaway is also an all-state selection this season.

And yes, Callaway said he will be in the stands at Amon Carter Stadium, site of his future playing days, Saturday when the Army Black Knights (10-2) take on Houston (8-4) in the Armed Forces Bowl. Army can post the first 11-win season in its history.

“Oh yes, we’ll be there,” Callaway said. “Hopefully we’ll be celebrating two big wins this weekend.”