By Scott Hansen
MaxPreps.com
An athlete is defined as a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina according to Merriam-Webster.
In high school football, we may view the term athlete a little differently. When we see a player labeled as an ‘athlete’, we immediately think the player is a jack-of-all trades.
In other words, the player is so good that coaches have no idea where he fits best within the framework of the offense or defense, so they will move him around to different positions on either side of the football.
They, for the most part, can run, throw, catch and tackle. Texas is not short on players that have been given the tag of ‘Athlete.’
Texas’ Elite Athletes
Rex Burkhead, Plano (6-0, 205)
The one player that the term is seemingly coined for is. As a sophomore he played some quarterback for the Wildcats, totaling 1,703 yards and 11 touchdowns. Last season, Burkhead was featured at running back and showed dazzling skills.
In 2007, Burkhead was the District 9-5A Offensive Most Valuable Player after rushing for 1,768 yards and 29 touchdowns. Burkhead also tacked on 523 receiving yards and three more touchdowns. They do not come much better than Burkhead.
Darius Jones, Marshall (6-0, 185)
District 12-4A was a gem for quarterbacks. Along with Jones being named Offensive Most Valuable Player, Whitehouse signal caller Brady Attaway was named the District MVP. Speed kills, and Jones shows why. Jones is a 4.4 guy in the 40-yard dash. Jones played wide receiver as a sophomore, averaging 23 yards per grab and scoring three touchdowns. He also got his chances rushing the ball in 2006, averaging 12.2 yards per tote and scoring twice.
As a quarterback, Jones rolled up 1,365 yards and 11 touchdowns total. Expect Jones to return to his wide receiver role at the University of Oklahoma, where he is verbally committed.
Deonte McDade, Ennis (5-10, 170)
McDade played quarterback and running back for the Lions as a junior. McDade sped to 1,721 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns. When asked to throw, McDade put his total yardage over 2,000 for the 2007 season, throwing for a pair of touchdowns. McDade was named the Offensive Most Valuable Player in 15-4A.
In a victory over Midlothian in his second-ever start at quarterback in mid-October, McDade accounted for six touchdowns. McDade rushed for 244 yards and four touchdowns, adding both of his touchdown passes on the season through the air on just three completions.
Ryan Swope, Austin Westlake (6-1, 200)
Swope is featured primarily at running back for the Chaparrals and is committed to Texas A&M entering his senior season. Swope was named the Offensive Most Valuable Player in 25-5A as a junior after rushing for 1,336 yards. The future Aggie added 539 yards in the receiving department and totaled 22 touchdowns in 2007.
As a sophomore, Swope was a key member of the Westlake defense, posting 35 tackles and one interception in his first year of varsity football.
Jurrell Thompson, Wichita Falls Rider (5-11, 190)
Thompson was just one yard short of 1,000 yards as a junior and added 15 touchdowns. As a sophomore, Thompson managed to eclipse the 1,000-yard plateau. Already committed to Texas Christian, Thompson is one of three major Division I recruits on offense for this 5-4A power.
Thompson was the Offensive Most Valuable Player in 5-4A as a junior. Shavodrick Beaver, a quarterback committed to Michigan, was named the District MVP. Thompson, Beaver, and wide receiver Eric Ward (Oklahoma commit) are the reason why Rider could go very deep this season in 4A. The scoreboard operator will be busy this fall when Rider’s offense is on the field.
Other Top Athletes in Texas
Corey Brooks, Dallas Christian (6-4, 205)
Brooks is an outstanding dual-threat quarterback for Dallas Christian, which participates in TAPPS Division II. Brooks teamed with running back Garrison Baker to form a formidable backfield. Brooks threw for 2,214 yards and 20 touchdown tosses for the Chargers. Brooks led Dallas Christian to the Division II title game in TAPPS, a league comprised of private schools in the state of Texas.
Tyler Chambers, San Antonio MacArthur (6-4, 215)
Chambers did it all as a junior. Listed as a tight end, Chambers also lined up under center for the Brahmas. Chambers was a second team All-District pick in 26-5A in 2007. Chambers caught 22 passes for 220 yards before moving to quarterback, where he threw for 572 yards and two touchdowns. Chambers is verbally committed to the University of Houston.
Kenneth Cluley, Waco Reicher Catholic (5-11, 180)
Cluley was an All-State selection in TAPPS Division III after a stat-stuffing junior season for the division champions. Cluley rushed for 1,613 yards and 26 touchdowns while completing 50 percent of his passes for 1,998 yards and 13 touchdowns. Cluley is receiving lukewarm interest at the Division I level, but could potentially be a steal near Signing Day.
Dustin Harris, Livingston (6-2, 175)
Harris was an All-District honoree in 18-4A as a junior, earning a second team selection as a utility player. Harris enters his senior campaign verbally committed to Texas A&M. Harris rushed for nearly 800 yards and 13 touchdowns, and also threw for 433 yards and five touchdowns in spot duty at quarterback. He is moving to quarterback full-time this season for the Lions, who will push Nederland for district honors in 20-4A.
D.J. Johnson, Austin St. Stephen’s (6-0, 170)
Johnson was named to the Southwest Preparatory Conference Division II All-Conference team after his junior season. Johnson committed to Texas Tech during his junior year and is projected as a defensive back at the Division I level. In a game against Addison Greenhill, Johnson rushed for 224 yards on 14 carries and scored four touchdowns operating as the quarterback for the Spartans. To open the 2007 season, Johnson completed 13 of 14 passes for 153 yards and a touchdown. Johnson can truly do it all and is a player with blazing 4.4 speed.
Malcolm Johnson, Klein Collins (6-2, 210)
It was a rough 2007 season for Johnson and his Tigers, finishing 1-9. Johnson, however, was a bright spot. Playing linebacker, Johnson recorded 60 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. It was as a kickoff returner where Johnson earned second team All-District honors in 16-5A. Johnson averaged 17.2 yards per kickoff return as a junior. Verbally committed to attend Texas A&M.
Glasco Martin, Round Rock Stony Point (6-1, 200)
Martin excelled out of the backfield and as a wide out for the Tigers. Hooking up with returning All-District quarterback Nyk McKissic, Martin caught 17 passes for 300 yards and three touchdowns in 2007. Martin also took three of his 15 carries of the season for six points. Martin is verbally committed to Baylor. Martin could have a lot to say about the All-District race in 16-5A in 2008 as Stony Point enters the season as favorites to claim the district crown.
Daniel Mayberry, A. Maceo Smith (6-0, 180)
Mayberry was named to the All-District unit in 13-4A as a quarterback in 2007 for Dallas Spruce, but will likely move full-time to the wide receiver spot as a senior at a new school. Last season, Mayberry threw for 959 yards and 10 scores and also tacked on 179 yards rushing and five touchdowns on the ground. Mayberry is verbally committed to the University of North Texas.
Kenric McNeal, Spring (6-1, 175)
McNeal did damage with his arm and legs last season for the Lions. The dual-threat quarterback, committed to Texas A&M, compiled 1,851 total yards last season and 14 total touchdowns, nine of them through the air. McNeal was an All-District pick in 16-5A for Spring in 2007. Despite his signal calling skills at the prep level, many believe McNeal will play wide receiver for the Aggies.
Jarvis Phillips, Dallas Carter (6-0, 190)
Phillips was handed a second team All-District selection in 11-5A in 2007 as the quarterback for the Cowboys. Phillips was not asked to throw the pigskin around the yard very often. As a junior, Phillips attempted 56 passes, completing 22 for 373 yards and four touchdowns. Phillips did his dirty work on the ground, rushing for 660 yards and 12 scores. The Cowboys drop down to 4A this season and have highly-charged athletes all over the field. A deep playoff run could be imminent for this nationally famed program.
Jared Pickett, Fort Bend Marshall (5-9, 180)
Pickett played quarterback, running back, and wide receiver as a junior for the Buffaloes and is verbally committed to the University of Houston heading into the swan song of his prep career. Pickett also excels in track for Marshall and put that speed to use last season in a 16-15 victory over Austin, rushing for 188 yards and two touchdowns. Wherever Pickett lines up, good things are bound to happen.
Ross Rasner, Waco Reicher Catholic (6-0, 195)
Rasner was a First Team Division III All-State selection for TAPPS after an impressive junior season. Reicher bombed Grapevine Faith to win the Division III state title, 41-7. Rasner was everywhere last season for the Cougars, logging 90 tackles and one interception. Rasner is a Division I prospect and hopes to continue his own success on the field along with Reicher’s championship winning ways in 2008.
Zerick Rollins, Aldine Nimitz (6-2, 180)
Rollins takes over full control of the starting role as the quarterback after spot duty as a junior. Rollins threw for 635 yards and three touchdowns despite just one start at quarterback. Entering his senior season, Rollins has interest from a handful of Division I schools. With a full slate of games under his belt for the Cougars, Rollins could quickly rise up the recruiting charts and find himself in good shape.