Thoughts from watching a star-studded Duncanville game

MANSFIELD, Texas — Football season is in full swing — and action on the recruiting trail is getting red-hot as we dip deeper into the fall.

After another weekend of live evaluations, here is the latest on several blue-chippers and notable commitments in the 2024, 2025 and even 2026 classes from On3 National Recruiting Analyst Sam Spiegelman:

Five-Star Plus+ Texas EDGE commit Colin Simmons

Colin Simmons, the No. 4 player in the On300 for 2024, played for two quarters in this lopsided affair, but quickly made his presence felt flying off the line and causing havoc in the backfield. During warm-ups, one college coach in attendance raved about the Five-Star Plus+ EDGE as the 6-foot-3, 225-pounder went through positional drills, specifically the caliber of athlete that Simmons is.

A speed-rush aficionado, Simmons was instantly disruptive in this one chasing down ball carriers and also quietly sealing the edge and shutting down the run game. He’s the catalyst on a nasty and deep Duncanville defensive front. He’s going to add another dimension to Texas’ front seven next season.

Four-star LSU RB commit Caden Durham

One of the most well-rounded backs in America, On300 RB Caden Durham came away with several long gains, big receptions in the passing game, and also punched in a touchdown by the goal line. The 5-foot-10, 200-pounder is compact, runs low, and consistently falls forwards. The LSU-committed back is notorious for being one of the fastest recruits in this 2024 cycle, but Durham is equally as dynamic in and out of his breaks and is a sure thing converting in the red zone.

On3 four-star Texas DL commit Alex January

Since Steve Sarkisian, Bo Davis and Kyle Flood arrived in Austin, there has been an emphasis on transforming the Longhorns from the trenches on out. Alex January is another example of that — the 6-foot-5, 300-plus-pounder is a massive first-off-the-bus body and part of a stout defensive line group for Duncanville.

January, a Texas legacy, possesses Sunday-like size and packs a massive punch on the interior of the DL. As a senior, however, he is moving around exceptionally and made several tackles behind the line and in space. The Longhorns are getting two really talented DL from Duncanville in Simmons and January.

Three-star SMU S commit Ka’Davion Dotson-Walker

SMU-bound DB Ka’Davion Dotson-Walker filled up the box score after a busy evening slowing down the run and keeping the Mansfield (Texas) passing game contained. Dotson-Walker, playing as a high safety and also as the nickel, darted to the ball on a handful of occasions and had a nicely timed pass break-up on a pass down the seam. As a senior, Dotson-Walker has continued to fill out his frame and is playing with even more confidence.

Five-star LSU WR commit Dakorien Moore – 2025

Five-star 2025 WR Dakorien Moore is putting together a compelling case as the top wideout in the country in next year’s class. Moore, who of course came away with one of the game-defining plays for the Panthers in last year’s state championship game vs. North Shore, was superb throughout the offseason. He hasn’t skipped a beat into the fall either, averaging better than 36 YPC.

Moore came away with two touchdowns. He has outstanding hands and coordination, and attacks the football as good as any receiver in the country. The LSU commit thrives in contested catch situations. He’s twitchy out of his breaks and absolutely lethal in space. Moore gives this analyst Odell Beckham Jr. vibes.

Four-star SMU QB commit Keelon Russell – 2025

In the spring, buzz around QB Keelon Russell continued to grow as one of the storied program’s best. The On3 top-100 quarterback lifted Duncanville to a state title in his first as a starter, and Russell orchestrated several of those key plays in that championship game last December — as a sophomore first-year starter.

Midway through the fall, Russell continues to check all of the boxes, from this analyst’s perspective. The SMU commit is an extremely gifted decision-maker. Russell has a knack for extending plays and he’s very accurate — both from the pocket and on the move — with the ability to connect on throws to multiple levels of the field.

Russell delivers such a good ball. The delivery, the touch, and the anticipation with his cast of pass-catchers are always on display, especially when it counts the most.

Four-star EDGE Kevin Ford Jr. – 2026

2026 four-star EDGE Kevin Ford works opposite of Simmons is already an eye-catching 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds midway through his sophomore campaign. Ford, who could continue to grow into that 260-270 range, moves very well — evident by not only his burst off the line and a bevy of pressures in this contest vs. Mansfield, but also a pass break-up in coverage.

Texas’ Jeff Banks and Sarkisian offered Ford after seeing one of the state’s top sophomores live.

ATH Zachery Turner – 2026

Talented 2026 ATH Zachery Turner was the benefactor of an early defensive focus on Moore. The 6-foto-3, 210-pound Turner took full advantage. The sophomore WR runs full steam ahead with the rock in his hands. Turner ran crisp routes and separated at the top. He’s going to intrigue some offensive coaches as a power slot or as a tight end. That includes Texas, which extended an offer after his two-touchdown game.