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Rivals top performers, ranking implications from UA Next - Dallas

Posted on 2/17/25 at 9:00 am
Posted by mpwilging
Punta Gorda Isles, Florida
Member since Jan 2011
9497 posts
Posted on 2/17/25 at 9:00 am
LINK
quote:

1. FELIX OJO - FOUR-STAR OT
Felix Ojo saw snaps at three different positions -- and dominated at that. The four-star OT from Manfield (Texas) Lake Ridge has seized opportunities at the Navy All-American Bowl and continues to sharpen his tool-set. The All-American is exceptional dropping into his pass-sets and has fantastic length and quickness to withstand pass-rushers. Inside, Ojo handled stronger rushers with power and was equally as sharp protecting off the edge. He continues to stand tall at a premium position with his anticipation and athletic profile.

2. KENNY DARBY - FOUR-STAR WR (LSU COMMIT)
5.8 RATING
6'1"|180 LBS|WR
AIRLINE
BOSSIER CITY, LA
CLASS OF 2026
VERBAL
11/12/2024
Kenny Darby led The Boot in receiving as a junior for Shreveport (La.) Airline and caught everything thrown in his vicinity during Sunday's camp. The prolific receiver from Louisiana gets off the line with authority and is even more impressive on the receiving end. The LSU-committed four-star WR has outstanding hands and body control -- and made several contested grabs downfield and made it look seamless. Darby continues to impress at each turn -- and in the camp setting, could not be contained 1-on-1.

3. LANDON BARNES - THREE-STAR EDGE
5.7 RATING
6'4"|240 LBS|EDGE
DUNCANVILLE
DUNCANVILLE, TX
CLASS OF 2026
UNDECIDED
Landon Barnes is in line for a massive boost after following up a breakthrough junior season with a very eye-catching performance at Melissa High on Sunday. Barnes is long and fluid -- and was able to win with power, using quick hands and an array of different pass-rush moves to trick up opposing offensive tackles. Barnes is pesky working off the edge and has a twitchy get-off. He's a prospect at a premium position that's is making a compelling case for a rankings bump.

4. PEYTON HOUSTON - FOUR-STAR QB (2027)
6.0 RATING
6'0"|195 LBS|QB
EVANGEL CHRISTIAN
SHREVEPORT, LA
CLASS OF 2027
UNDECIDED
Peyton Houston was the top passer on hand as a 2027 -- which should come as no surprise. Houston rips the football -- and was on-target throwing to multiple levels of the field. We love the touch that Houston puts on his throws and his accuracy throwing into traffic. Rivals' No. 2 quarterback in next year's cycle out of Shreveport (La.) Evangel has superb timing and velocity on his throws -- and after putting up video game-esque numbers as a sophomore has put himself on every college coach's radar this off-season.

5. TRENTON YANCEY - FOUR-STAR WR (2027)
6.0 RATING
6'0"|175 LBS|SLOT
DUNCANVILLE
DUNCANVILLE, TX
CLASS OF 2027
UNDECIDED
Trenton Yancey turned heads with his crafty route-running and fantastic day as a receiver working through traffic on Sunday. The 2027 four-star WR from Duncanville (Texas) is excellent coming back to the football -- and working through tight coverage outside the numbers and also in the middle part of the field. We are high on Yancey's production -- and believe he's due for an even bigger role as a junior for the Panthers. He turned heads with several highlight grabs at UA Next.

6. KJ FORD - FOUR-STAR EDGE
5.9 RATING
6'4"|240 LBS|EDGE
DUNCANVILLE
DUNCANVILLE, TX
CLASS OF 2026
UNDECIDED
KJ Ford has pressed all of the right buttons working off the EDGE during Under Armour All-American week in Orlando and again during the UA Next camp in Dallas. Ford has an explosive get-off and can win with speed or with power. Ford executed both during Sunday's camp --firing off the ball and turning the corner with authority. The four-star EDGE uses his length and upper-body strength at his disposal to bully opposing tackles. He's been a stock-up prospect for Rivals that continues to check off boxes as we delve deeper into the off-season.

7. KJ EDWARDS - FOUR-STAR RUNNING BACK
6.0 RATING
5'10"|175 LBS|RB
CARTHAGE
CARTHAGE, TX
CLASS OF 2026
UNDECIDED
KJ Edwards is a flash in the pan -- and a home-run threat every time he touches the rock for East Texas powerhouse Carthage (Texas) High. In the camp setting, that speed translated seamlessly -- as the four-star running back blew past several linebackers trying to get pace with Rivals' No. 2 back in a 1-on-1 setting. Edwards separated at a high clip and was equally as sound as a receiver -- adjusting to the football and getting downfield. He is dynamic running the ball and also as a receiver.

8. MASON JAMES - THREE-STAR WR
5.7 RATING
5'11"|175 LBS|ATH
NORTH
NORMAN, OK
CLASS OF 2026
UNDECIDED
Mason James put himself on the radar in a big way during Sunday's UA Next camp. The talented receiver from Norman (Okla.) North saw snaps outside and in the slot -- and easily navigated downfield for big receptions. James is easy going in and out of his breaks -- and separating from opposing defensive backs. The touted WR is a crafty route-runner with short-area quickness and is adept at coming back to the football and making plays in contested catch situations. James is due for a rankings bump after a strong in-person eval to follow some electric film.

9. ZADEN KREMPIN - FOUR-STAR OT
5.8 RATING
6'5"|275 LBS|OT
PROSPER
PROSPER, TX
CLASS OF 2026
UNDECIDED
Zaden Krempin saw reps at both left and right tackle -- and the touted OL prospect has upside on end either of the formation. Krempin is technically sound with fantastic feet and a mean streak to his game. We love his combination of quick feet and a powerful punch -- as well as his ability to recover during 1-on-1 reps. Krempin protected the edge and contained several pass-rushers who tried to win with speed and power at a high clip. We love his upside and demeanor at multiple positions up front.

10. DONOVAN WEBB - FOUR-STAR DB
5.9 RATING
6'0"|175 LBS|NICK
PANTHER CREEK
FRISCO, TX
CLASS OF 2026
UNDECIDED
Donovan Webb was the top defensive back on hand with an MVP-worthy performance during Sunday's camp. Webb is filled out at 6-foot-plus and 180 pounds and can line up at multiple positions in the secondary. Working out with the cornerbacks, Webb didn't miss a beat. He's explosive in and out of his breaks with fantastic acceleration to break on the football and is not shy about being physical and handsy with opposing receivers. Webb was a force slowing down several top receivers on the outside with the skill-set and upside to also cover in the slot, too.
Posted by mpwilging
Punta Gorda Isles, Florida
Member since Jan 2011
9497 posts
Posted on 2/17/25 at 9:01 am to
quote:

NEXT SEVEN UP

--Ajour Miles turned heads. At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds with a filled out frame, the East Texas standout is a skilled route-runner who made several impressive grabs working outside the numbers and in the middle of the field. He's a stock-up candidate.

--Ryelan Morris was one of the top two backs in attendance. Morris is shifty with elite ball skills and is a home-run waiting to happen. He was sensational as a receiver out of the backfield with phenomenal hands and the ability to get open with ease.

–Evan Goodwin has a massive 6-foot-6, 315-pound frame and did his best work inside at guard. He packs a powerful punch and can overpower some opposing DL.

–Xavier Fleming is an early Houston verbal who turned heads with his reps off the defensive line. Fleming is girthy at just under 300 pounds with plus-quickness and athleticism for an interior DL.

--Noah Best is a force inside playing interior OL. Best could not be moved off the ball during certain reps in the 1-on-1 portion of Sunday's camp and finished when he had the chance. He's a bully on the inside.

--Malachi Zeigler (2027) is another quarterback in the 2027 class that we love as far as upside. Zeigler made some fantastic throws during the 1-on-1 portion that hit despite excellent coverage. He offers immense upside as a playmaker in and also outside of the pocket, and he continues to take massive leaps as a passer.

–Zane Rowe (2027) is electric working off the EDGE and also moved very well during positional drills on defense and then offense. Rowe won several reps turning and bending the corner with authority with speed and power at his disposal.
Posted by GeauxLSU4
New Orleans
Member since Feb 2012
11895 posts
Posted on 2/17/25 at 10:49 am to
Anyone up in NWLA needs to make plans to watch Evangel at Benton this coming season. Very few, if any, high school game in the country will have a better QB matchup.
Posted by mpwilging
Punta Gorda Isles, Florida
Member since Jan 2011
9497 posts
Posted on 2/17/25 at 10:50 am to
Seems like Kenny Darby is going to continue rising.

Also, why can't we just grab Peyton Houston as it seems he's enthralled with LSU? I know we're holding out for the other dude, but thinking they'll both be stars in college. Or, maybe it's just too early, but patience is not my virtue.
Posted by BiggaGeauxrilla
North Louisiana
Member since Dec 2017
3044 posts
Posted on 2/17/25 at 11:43 am to
I prefer Houston if Haven is looking for Underwood type money...
Posted by mpwilging
Punta Gorda Isles, Florida
Member since Jan 2011
9497 posts
Posted on 2/17/25 at 12:10 pm to
Seems like Houston is extremely accurate, maybe a little higher than Haven, but I haven't seen them play so just going by what I've read or heard.
Posted by Captain Crown
Member since Jun 2011
55799 posts
Posted on 2/17/25 at 12:48 pm to
I don't mind going.
Posted by nvcowboyfan
James Turner Street, Birmingham,UK
Member since Nov 2007
2987 posts
Posted on 2/17/25 at 1:16 pm to
I’ve got my “eye” on Ojo
Posted by Donkus
Shreveport
Member since Feb 2013
1448 posts
Posted on 2/17/25 at 1:29 pm to
quote:

KJ Edwards is a flash in the pan


“You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”

quote:

1. : a sudden spasmodic effort that accomplishes nothing. 2. : one that appears promising but turns out to be disappointing or worthless.
Posted by Donkus
Shreveport
Member since Feb 2013
1448 posts
Posted on 2/17/25 at 1:31 pm to
Hopefully we land one of the three and none commit to another SEC school.
Posted by BiggaGeauxrilla
North Louisiana
Member since Dec 2017
3044 posts
Posted on 2/17/25 at 1:44 pm to
Wonder if Colton Nussmeier, Garrett's lil brother was in attendance? Would think being in Dallas he would have been.
This post was edited on 2/17/25 at 1:48 pm
Posted by ShreveportTiger19871
318 PortCity
Member since Jul 2024
506 posts
Posted on 2/17/25 at 2:44 pm to
Will definitely be at that game.
Posted by Juice318
Member since Jul 2024
33 posts
Posted on 2/17/25 at 2:53 pm to
Yea imma make it my business to check that game and a couple Darby gms with me living right on Airline
Posted by lsufanva
sandston virginia
Member since Aug 2009
13315 posts
Posted on 2/17/25 at 6:54 pm to
quote:

 prefer Houston if Haven is looking for Underwood type money

What if Houston is too? Do you let both walk and shoot for Nuss 2, who also could warrant major cash or go bargain shopping with Malachi Ziegler, who may have the most arm talent of the 4?

quote:

Wonder if Colton Nussmeier, Garrett's lil brother was in attendance? Would think being in Dallas he would have been.


Was expected but reportedly had baseball practice. Inside Texas reported that.

Posted by ImayGoLesMiles
Baton Rouge, La
Member since Feb 2015
13286 posts
Posted on 2/17/25 at 8:30 pm to
LSU will get a few of these prospects for sure. We already have a pipeline in Duncanville and the qb from evangel, "pop", will come to LSU if he gets an offer (at least thats ehat ive heard on this board and from others in the recruiting world). We recruit dfw almost as hard as we do houston...as many players have ties to LA due to proximity but not quite to that extent. LSU is a bigtime ans well respected brand in TX which is why we always pluck several players from there every cycle. We are going to have some great hs classes stacked up in a row for the next few years for sure. I predict kelly will win a natty in 3 years max.
This post was edited on 2/17/25 at 8:33 pm
Posted by BillF
New York, New York
Member since Jan 2006
5792 posts
Posted on 2/18/25 at 12:33 am to
I wouldn't say LSU has a pipeline to Duncanville. Texas has Simmons, the outstanding pass rusher from Duncanville, and Alabama signed Duncanville's quarterback in this last class, and some people believe he's as good as Underwood. We have Durham, but it doesn't look like any of their other players are favoring LSU, at least at the moment.
Posted by Captain Crown
Member since Jun 2011
55799 posts
Posted on 2/18/25 at 7:34 am to
quote:

I wouldn't say LSU has a pipeline to Duncanville


This.
Posted by GeauxTigers_11
Louisiana
Member since Nov 2022
118 posts
Posted on 2/18/25 at 8:39 am to
I have been saying this since day 1. Darby would have blown up early had he not missed most of his sophomore season with a collarbone injury. He should run in the 10.9's early on in the 100m and likely those times fall as we progress into warmer weather and getting the legs into track shape. He has elite ball skills and hand strength. He is the wide receiver LSU fans should not be wanting to leave the state. This won't be the first time you hear about him on the camp circuit either.
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