10 Texas high school football players who could emerge as offer candidates

Tomorrow officially begins the start of the 2021 Texas high school football season. Ahead of kickoff in the Lone Star State, I looked at ten prospects, five in 2022 and five in 2023, that could earn an offer from the Texas Longhorns with big seasons.

ATH Major Everhart, Tascosa (Amarillo, TX) (2022)

Steve Sarkisian and his staff have a need for speed at the skill spots and the 5-foot-10.5, 165-pound Everhart has plenty to offer. Everhart posted five sub-10.5 100m times this spring including a personal best 10.38 fully automated time in the 100m. 

Everhart was pigeonholed as a running back early in his recruitment due to playing in Tascosa’s Flexbone offense. However, schools are now starting to see what I saw in April and are selling him on a hybrid role with wide receiver as the long-term destination.

TCU set the pace on this recruitment early, but a recent offer from Notre Dame added plenty of intrigue heading into the 2021 season.

Everhart is the 216th ranked player in the 2022 On300 (90 Score).

DL Michael Ibukun-Okeyode, Rowlett (Rowlett, TX) (2022) – SMU

While Texas isn’t currently in need of an EDGE with the ability to spin down to a defensive line role, the four-star Ibukun-Okeyode is a high-level prospect at a premium position. 

SMU flexed its muscles in the DFW metroplex keeping the 6-foot-5, 235-pound Ibukun-Okeyode home while battling against Power 5 programs Oklahoma State, Arizona State, and Baylor.

Ibukun-Okeyode is the 285th ranked player in the 2022 On300 (90 Score).

OT Alvin Ebosele, Coppell (Coppell, TX) (2022) – BAYLOR

Agility, knee-bend, and foot quickness all show up on tape. In addition to his 6-foot-6, 275-pound frame, Ebosele was measured with an 84-inch wingspan in March.

Ebosele is the 198th ranked player in the 2022 On300 (91 Score).

OL Calvin Harvey, Fort Bend Ridge Point (Missouri City, TX) (2022)- LA Tech

Texas offensive line coach Kyle Flood covets large bodies on the offensive line and Harvey is just that. Harvey moves well for his 6-foot-8 330-pound frame and recently picked up an offer from Oklahoma State.

One key factor to watch this season with Harvey is if his play strength improves. Too many reps were lost last season due to a difference in upper body strength.

WR DJ Allen, Gladewater (Gladewater, TX) (2022) – TCU

The window might have closed for Texas to have a shot with Allen right now, but if the Horns put together a dynamic offense this season things could move quickly with the east Texas four-star prospect. 

Allen’s production, 5-foot-11, 190-pound size, and verified 10.7 100m track speed merit an offer and the potential of making a deep playoff run with 3AD1 No. 3 Gladewater should only continue to highlight his abilities. 

Allen is the 141st ranked player in the 2022 On300 (93 Score).

QB Jackson Arnold, Guyer (Denton, TX) (2023)

Texas continues to look good for On3’s No. 1 prospect in 2023 Arch Manning. In fact, IT’s Justin Wells added a nugget on the Arch Manning recruitment on Tuesday night.

However, if there was one quarterback in-state that Texas should keep its eyes on as a contingency in the 2023 class it would be Arnold. His impressive camp and state 7-on-7 performances this summer earned him offers from Notre Dame, Ole Miss, and TCU.

EDGE Isaiah Crawford, Post (Post, TX) (2023) – BAYLOR

Last year, the 6-foot-4, 210-pound Crawford burst onto the scene helping the Post Antelopes make a return trip to AT&T Stadium for the 2AD1 state title game. 

The EDGE prospect starred on both sides of the ball for the Antelopes but made the most impact in a standup outside linebacker role, featuring impressive bend and 11.2 100m athleticism uncommon at the 2A level of Texas high school football.

EDGE Braylan Shelby, Friendswood (Friendswood, TX) (2023)

A family health emergency prevented Shelby from attending college camps for the majority of the summer before taking an unofficial visit to Tennessee in late July. 

Shelby was extremely productive as a 6-foot-4.5, 225-pound sophomore and should be poised to make a massive jump this season.

LB Bryson Washington, Franklin (Franklin, TX) (2023)

There are no offers yet for the 6-foot-2 Washington but Texas A&M, TCU, and Baylor are monitoring the explosive athlete closely.

Bryson is the next in the long line of athletes that start their career as a running back or safety and end up becoming productive modern off-ball linebackers. A laser timed 4.53 40-yard dash backs up impressive athleticism shown on tape.

ATH Samuel Omosigho, Crandall (Crandall, TX)

Omosigho is an explosive athlete that has good production on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball at the Texas high school football level. 

If he continues to grow I could see him ending up in a hybrid LB/S role at the next level.

Cover photo by Justin Wells for Inside Texas