Top Texas Prospects Participate In Fox Sports Southwest 7-On-7 State Championship

Recruiting in the class of 2014 is taking off around the country, despite prospects still waiting for their junior seasons to start. The latest commitment in the state of Texas is that of Princeton (TX) wide receiver Jakari Dillard, who announced his commitment to the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Thursday via Twitter.

A 6-4, 195-pounder who is the son of former Oklahoma Sooner defensive tackle Stacey Dillard (who is now the head coach at Princeton High School), Jakari was a star on the summer circuit, dominating at times in the Fox Sports Southwest 7-on-7 State Championship back in July as well as showing out at other events.

One of the top defensive backs in the state, 2014 Lewisville (TX) Hebron safety Jamal Adams is hard to miss on the field -- he’s the one always encouraging his teammates, making sure that they’re lined up in the right position, coaching on the field.

It was Adams who was the focal point in keeping his teammates from letting a game against Tyler (TX) John Tyler at the Fox Sports Southwest 7-on-7 State Championship slip away after falling behind 34-17. The Hawks rallied for a late victory, led by the vocal defender.

Like a lot of guys Joe’s height, the easiest way to describe the way that he moves is to say he’s “fluid.” At the high-school level, he can disrupt some angles with his speed, though he’s probably more in the low 4.6 range than a burner -- it would probably be better to characterize him as a really strong athlete, rather than an exceptional one, which is hardly a knock on Joe. The extra gear just isn’t quite there most of the time when defenders do have an angle and Joe wants to take the edge.

As a receiver, Joe certainly benefited from having a good quarterback in Nicholas, who could put the ball in spots that would let Joe go get it, even if he didn’t create much separation. For his part, Joe adjusted to the balls thrown by Nicholas and seemed to track the ball well in the air, in addition to showcasing some spatial understanding and a knowledge of where the sideline is, so that he could stay in bounds.

At the Fox Sports Southwest 7-on-7 State Championship, it can be hard for dual-threat quarterbacks to truly show their wares. For pro-style passers, however, it’s the perfect opportunity to sling the football all around the field. Last week in College Station, perhaps no quarterback was better at that than Texas A&M commit Kohl Stewart.

The 6’3”, 185-pounder spoke with SB Nation Recruiting about the benefits of such work for his school, Houston St. Pius X, as they prepare for the 2012 football season.

Like father, like son. Well, not in every way for 2014 Princeton wide receiver Jakari Dillard.

His father, Stacey, played football at Oklahoma and was then drafted by the New York Giants in 1992, spending four years in the league. The thing about Stacey Dillard? He played at 6’5 and 290 pounds and appeared to be a bit above that playing weight while out in College Station for the Fox Sports Southwest 7-on-7 State Championship late last week.

Like his teammate Demetrius Knox, 2014 Fort Worth All Saints running back/fullback Daniel Gresham wasn’t born in Texas, but he got here as fast as he could and should soon see the impact of the related exposure, as he’s still waiting for his first official offer.

“Yeah, I like them a lot,” said the 5’11”, 230-pounder on Thursday. “Since I moved down here, everyone has been talking about them. I realized how prestigious they are.”

A few years from now, if 2014 Fort Worth (TX) All Saints offensive tackle Demetrius Knox fulfills his immense potential and begins collecting an NFL paycheck, he would probably do well to keep his uncle in mind.

A fortuitous conversation between his mother and uncle lead to his move from the Dayton/Springfield area in Ohio down to the Metroplex and helped kick-start his recruitment.

Back during the IFAF U-19 World Championship in Austin during the early part of July, the recently-committed Texas A&M pledge Tavares Garner indicated to SB Nation Recruiting that he and fellow Aggie pledge Reggie Chevis were working on Missouri commit Chase Abbington, who was also on the American team.

Garner and Chevis weren’t the only ones, either. Another future Aggie and current teammate of Garner, Alvin (TX) Manvel wide receiver Kyrion Parker, who was once an LSU commitment, was also hard at work trying to convince Abbington to switch his allegiance and wear maroon and white in college.

COLLEGE STATION, TX -- The 7-on-7 state championship moved into the second day on Friday, with Division I play starting up, and Division II completing, with Celina taking the championship over Graham, led by 2015 quarterback Nathan Elliott.

The large classification schools feature many of the top prospects in Division I play and many of the anticipated stars lived up to expectations while a handful of others increased their stock in the eyes of evaluators in attendance. Here’s who SB Nation watched:

COLLEGE STATION, TX -- Every summer in the middle of July, some of the top prospects in the state of Texas gather in Aggieland for the Fox Sports Southwest 7-on-7 State Championship, held on the Texas A&M campus. The 2012 edition got kicked off on Thursday with pool play for the Division II schools -- those in the 3A classification and below.

So while the group of prospects on the first day wasn’t as star-studded as what will come on Friday and Saturday with Division I play, which starts Friday at 1 pm CST, there were plenty of players to watch on the opening day.