I was recently asked to come up with a list of the top 50 high school football players in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for use in helping to select one player at the end of the upcoming season for a very special award (all I can say for now).
My criteria was simple, select the best players, regardless of position, classification (5A-1A) or grade. I tried to go primarily on what I saw with my own two eyes last year either in person or on highlight shows. I also relied on information from last years stats and records as well. I tried not to go by who had the most attractive scholarship offers, or who Rivals ranked in their Top 100.
Here then is my list, with a comment for each of the Top 10.
1. Jonathan Gray, Jr. RB Aledo: Best player I saw last year, rushed for over 2,800 yards and 50 td's. Led his Bearcats to the State Championship
2. Jamal Turner, Sr. QB Arlington Sam Houston:(pictured) Most dangerous playmaker in the state. Can kill a defense with his arm or his legs.
3. LaDarius Brown, Sr. Ath. Waxahachie: An impact player in all three phases of the game. Can catch, defend the pass, and return.
4. J.W. Walsh, Sr. QB Denton Guyer: A coach's son with a great head for the game. One of the top dual-threat QB's in the State.
5. Miles Onyegbule, Sr WR Arlington: Teriffic hands and a great body. Able to create space and also bring down the ball in traffic.
6. Trevone Boykin, Sr. QB West Mesquite: Burst on the scene last year as a threat to score on any given play. Committed to TCU recently.
7. Brandon Carter, Sr. QB Euless Trinity: Made the game winning catch in Trinity's State Title victory over Austin Westlake. Will play QB for the Trojans this year.
8. Jonovan Griffin, Sr. QB McKinney Boyd: Another dangerous dual-threat QB. Outstanding speed and a great competitor.
9. Ryan Polite, Sr. QB DeSoto: Led all area 5A QB's in passing last year. Could have a huge senior season with a great group of receivers to throw to.
10. Tevin Mitchell, Sr. DB Mansfield Legacy: A big defensive back with 4.4. speed. Capable of being very physical as well.
11. Chris Barnett, Sr. TE Dallas A. Maceo Smith
12. Cam McDaniel, Sr. RB Coppell
13. Damion Willis, Sr. RB McKinnney
14. Russell Bellomy, Sr. QB Arlington Martin
15. Paul Millard, Sr. QB Flower Mound
16. Marquis Jackson, Sr. WR FW Arlington Heights
17. Rob Hankins Sr. LB Dallas Parish Episcopal
18. Dane Evans, Jr. QB Sanger
19. Anthony Wallace, Sr. LB Dallas Skyline
20. Tevin Williams, Sr. RB Euless Trinity
21. Danzel Williams, Sr. RB Arlington Martin
22. Jonathan Lee, Sr. WR Allen
23. Lyndell Johnson, Sr. DB Plano East
24. Johnny Haynes, Sr. Ath. Irving MacArthur
25. Michael Means, Sr. QB Lucas Lovejoy
26. Tony Morales, Sr. OL Arlington Sam Houston
27. Steven West, Sr. WR Keller Fossil Ridge
28. Devonta Sparks, Sr. DB Arlington Martin
29. Jimmy Bean, Sr. DL Denton Guyer
30. Jacorey Shepherd, Sr. WR Mesquite Horn
31. Kyle Abuchon, Sr. QB Lewisville Hebron
32. Joe Bergeron, Sr. RB North Mesquite
33. Marcus Hutchins, Sr. OL DeSoto
34. Jakeem Grant, Sr. Ath. Mesquite Horn
35. Nico Ornelas, Sr. LB Richland
36. Kameel Jackson, Sr. WR Arlington Sam Houston
37. Dorian Lawry, Jr. RB Rockwall-Heath
38. Isiah Norton, Sr. DT Kimball
39. Tyler Kirkindoll, Sr. QB Frisco Wakeland
40. Jay Ajayi, Sr. RB Frisco Liberty
41. Matthew Bishop, Sr. QB Aledo
42. David Jenkins, Sr. DB Lewisville Hebron
43. Ty Montgomery, Sr. WR Dallas St. Marks
44. Franklin Shannon Sr. DB Dallas Skyline
45. David Porter, Sr. WR DeSoto
46. Kenneth Farrow, Sr. RB L.D. Bell
47. Driphus Jackson, Sr. QB Cedar Hill
48. Connor Crane, Jr. WR Denton Guyer
49. Desmond Roland, Sr. Ath. Lake Highlands
50. Garrett Simpson, Jr. QB The Colony
If there is a glaring omission in your opinion. I would love to know about it.
