Hightower High School loaded with 2023 and 2024 talent

MISSOURI CITY, Texas – Missouri City (Texas) Hightower will be a very popular stop for college coaches in the 2023 and 2024 cycles. 

First year Hurricanes head coach and former Texas A&M linebacker Cornelius Anthony led Hightower to an 11-3 record with two losses coming to state champion Katy (Texas) Paetow. 

The sophomore crop could be the best to come through the Southwest Houston area school in a few years. 

Sophomore group could be special

The sophomore class at Hightower is on track to be one of the best in a few years.

The player receiving the most “elite talent” talk early on is running back Jeremy Payne. The 5-foot-10.5, 175-pounder rushed for over 1,600 yards and added another 240 yards catching the ball as a sophomore. The two-sport star that could have a baseball decision to make his senior season as he also has early offers from Indiana, SMU and UTSA. Payne took home 1st team All-District honors in 2021. He was also academic All-District. 

Wide receiver Zion Kearney is a mismatch at 6-foot-3, and a very strong 195 pounds. After catching 15 passes for 244 yards and two scores in 2021, his role will expand greatly as a junior with the departure of On300 wideout Caleb Douglas. Kearney’s early offer list includes Charlotte, Houston, Indiana, Louisiana Tech, SMU and UTSA.

Quarterback Kendron Penson Jr. is another Power 5 prospect. The 5-foot-10, 170-pounder will get plenty of looks at slot receiver and defensive back on the next level. Penson’s father is the offensive line coach for the Hurricanes. Penson threw for over 2,500 yards and rushed for nearly 300 in 2021 earning 1st team All-District honors. 

There are a trio of defensive players in the 2024 class that will play FBS football. Defensive end Robert Staten Jr. comes from a family of former Nebraska track and field sprinters. The 6-foot-1.5, 235-pounder totaled 32 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and five sacks as a sophomore. Cornerback Ephraim Dotson (5-10, 165) recorded 36 tackles and an interception in 2021 earning second team All-District honors. Defensive tackle Dailon Ellis is undersized at 5-foot-10.5, 280, but is arguably the best player on the defense. 

Junior class will have multiple FBS signees 

The junior class at the Fort Bend I.S.D school also has plenty of talent. 

Cornerback Santana Wilson will be picking up offers shortly. The 5-foot-10.5, 170-pounder has Kansas, Texas Tech and a growing list of others showing serious interest. Wilson racked up over 30 tackles and an interception as a junior. Wilson is known fort his hard-hitting ability in the run game. Fellow defensive back Chisom Onwuzurigbo is drawing significant interest from Power 5’s due to his 6-foot-1.5, 175 pound frame with legit 4.5 speed. He picked off two passes in the playoff loss against Katy Paetow with college coaches in attendance. EDGE Treylon Beloney (6-1, 230) is drawing interest from Kansas, Memphis and others. Beloney totaled 45 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and seven sacks as a junior. 

Offensively, flex TE/H-back Alijah Jones (6-1, 205) has Memphis very interested, along with other Group of 5 programs. First-year offensive lineman Darion Embers (6-3, 305) is seen as a sure fire FBS prospect by the Hightower coaching staff.