Top Recruits

Pretty Hot Content—VYPE Hot 100—Top 2018 Recruits

Pretty Hot Content—VYPE Hot 100—Top 2018 Recruits
Manvel's Jalen Preston, #5 seated right, is at the top of the list. Vype

Originally appeared on Vype.com

The 2017 #txhsfb season is in the books and so is the early National Signing Day just before Christmas.

With that in mind, we felt it was time to put the finishing touches on the final Class of 2018 Hot 100 player rankings.

“The early signing period was a game-changer,” VYPE Chief Content Officer Matt Malatesta said. “No one really knew what to expect and it was a little shocking to see how many athletes signed. From college coaching changes to bowl games to the Texas high school playoffs, it all happened very quickly. I think college coaches used the early signing day as leverage and it worked.”

There was significant movement in the Hot 100 from top to bottom. Manvel’s Jalen Preston moved into the No. 1 spot after a tremendous season, while Dekaney’s Malcolm Epps also moved up from the tight end spot. We knew he was good, but Texas has a game-changer with his size and skill set.

Another Manvel star climbed the rankings, significantly.

With that in mind, we felt it was time to update the Class of 2018 Hot 100 player rankings. After a year that saw Houston’s incredible talent on display, let’s take a look at who to watch on Saturdays next college football season.

“Kam Scott is a star,” Malatesta said. “He’s a big-play receiver and tremendous kick returner. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and as he continues to mature, he’s going to be a potential pro. Missouri got a steal.”

The University of Texas and coach Tom Herman has won the H-Town sweepstakes so far with five of the Top 10 players and eight of the Top 20 headed to the 40 Acres. The movement at Texas A&M left the Aggies with only three of the Top 20 stars.

How about Missouri? Scott and Ridge Point heat-seeking linebacker Chad Bailey inked with the Tigers, who were two of the Top 10.

So who is left? Episcopal’s Jaylen Waddle, Oak Ridge’s Joseph Ossai, Cy Springs’ Leon O’Neal, Cy Creek’s Miles Battle and Katy’s Moro Ojomo have yet to sign, so stay tuned to vypehouston.com and @vypehouston on Twitter for up to date recruiting news.

(This list will be updated throughout the year as players commit to college programs)

CLASS OF 2018 FOOTBALL PLAYER RANKINGS

RANKPLAYER

SCHOOL

POSITIONCOMMITTEDVIDEO
1Jalen PrestonManvelWRTexas A&MHUDL
2BJ FosterAngletonATHTexasHUDL
3Jalen GreenHeightsDBTexasHUDL
4Mustapha MuhammadFB Ridge PointTEMichiganHUDL
5Luke MatthewsElkinsOLTexas A&MHUDL
6Malcolm EppsDekaneyTETexasHUDL
7Kam ScottManvelWRMissouriHUDL
8Anthony CookLamarDBTexasHUDL
9Chad BaileyFB Ridge PointLBMissouriHUDL
10Keondre CoburnWestfieldDTTexasHUDL
11Jaylen WaddleEpiscopalWRHUDL
12Joseph OssaiOak RidgeDEHUDL
13D’Shawn JamisonLamarDBTexasHUDL
14Craig WilliamsCrosbyRBBaylorHUDL
15Miles BattleCy CreekWRHUDL
16Cole BlantonCy RanchOLTexas A&MHUDL
17Brennan EaglesAlief TaylorWRTexasHUDL
18KeSean CarterThe WoodlandsWRTexas TechHUDL
19Al’Vonte WoodardLamarWRTexasHUDL
20Donavan MutinKlein CollinsLBHoustonHUDL
21Caleb ChapmanClear BrookWRTexas A&MHUDL
22Tamerik WilliamsAngletonRBSMUHUDL
23Connor GalvinKatyOLBaylorHUDL
24Barton ClementFB MarshallOLTexas A&MHUDL
25Max WrightKaty TaylorDETexas A&MHUDL
26Dominic LivingstonAldine DavisDTLSUHUDL
27Michael WoodsMagnoliaWRArkansasHUDL
28Erick HallettCy FairDBWashington StateHUDL
29Montel ParkerDickinsonWRTexas A&MHUDL
30Leon O’Neal Jr.Cy SpringsDBHUDL
31Taye BarberCy SpringsATHTCUHUDL
32Michael MatusKatyDEArizona StateHUDL
33Ta’Zhawn HenryLamarRBHUDL
34Trent GordonManvelDBPenn StateHUDL
35Joshua LandryLamarDTBaylorHUDL
36Starrland Baldwin Jr.Cy FallsDBOklahomaHUDL
37Kason MartinManvelQBUNTHUDL
38Tyrese WilliamsCy RidgeOLOklahoma StateHUDL
39Aaron AllenFB Ridge PointQBLA TechHUDL
40Peyton SawyerClear SpringsWRHoustonHUDL
41Moro OjomoKatyDLHUDL
42Ethan BonnerThe WoodlandsDBStanfordHUDL
43John HolcombeSummer CreekQBKansas StateHUDL
44Bryson JacksonKingwood ParkWRTCUHUDL
45Payne He’BertPearland DawsonOLNorthwesternHUDL
46Jacob JeffersonSt. PiusWRNorthwesternHUDL
47Christian MorganPorterDBBaylorHUDL
48Jake SyptakThe WoodlandsOLSMUHUDL
49Joseph OgunbanjoAlief TaylorDEHUDL
50Hasaan HypoliteHightowerDBColoradoHUDL
51Ja’Kori MorganClear LakeWRHoustonHUDL
52Jacob Mangum-FerrarKempnerLBStanfordHUDL
53Spencer WellsPearland DawsonTEHoustonHUDL
54Travian BlaylockAtascocitaDBWisconsinHUDL
55Victor CurneSecond BaptistOLWashingtonHUDL
56Trenton KennedyCy FairRBHUDL
57Brant KuitheCinco RanchRBHUDL
58Christian YoungFosterDBArizonaHUDL
59Deneric PrinceManvelRBTexas A&MHUDL
60Christian DuffieSummer CreekOLKansas StateHUDL
61Cameron GodfreyKlein CollinsDBSE LouisianaHUDL
62Mark MiltonClear BrookDBBaylorHUDL
63Henry ThomasFB MarshallWRHoustonHUDL
64Christian JonesCy WoodsOL/DESMUHUDL
65Austin OgunmakinHastingsWRUNTHUDL
66Jabari JamesFB MarshallWRTulsaHUDL
67Tyler VrabelSt. PiusOLBoston CollegeHUDL
68Deion SmithSecond BaptistRBColoradoHUDL
69Kase RogersLamarWROregon StateHUDL
70Willie SmithSpringDEHoustonHUDL
71Dennis OsagiedeFB Ridge PointDTUMassHUDL
72Devin RichardsonKleinOLBNew Mexico St.HUDL
73Miles OldacreKlein OakDBHUDL
74Cameron PhillipsClear LakeDBSMUHUDL
75Josh OglesbyKatyRBHUDL
76Frank FillipClear LakeOLColoradoHUDL
77Will BrownLamar ConsolidatedATHSMUHUDL
78Trace OldnerFosterOLNavyHUDL
79Toluwashe BuoyeFB BushOLHUDL
80Blake KuitheCinco RanchDEHUDL
81Jordan CooperNew CaneyQBHUDL
82Ean BeekKaty TaylorRBHBUHUDL
83Darrius SmithPearland DawsonRBArizonaHUDL
84Cam ArnoldCy FairQBNorthwestern LAHUDL
85Joe BissingerMemorialOLVirginiaHUDL
86Jon CampbellKlein OakDTCentral ArkansasHUDL
87Rodney McGrawFB ElkinsDBHUDL
88Max YarbroughFriendswoodOLSMUHUDL
89Max BanesSt.
Thomas
OLHoustonHUDL
90Otito OgbonniaKaty TaylorDLHUDL
91Naveon MitchellFB TravisWRHUDL
92Reese MasonMagnoliaATHHUDL
93Golden EkeLangham CreekWRHUDL
94Luke JunkuncStrake JesuitOLUL-LHUDL
95Matthew JesterKleinLBPrincetonHUDL
96Pat BallardFB ElkinsWRUNLVHUDL
97Chris ElamKingwoodOLHUDL
98Amryn JeffreyFB TravisQBHUDL
99Phillip HillKlein CollinsDBUNLVHUDL
100Amon ByarsBF TerryRBArmyHUDL
      

 

 

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The Colts host this Texans this Sunday. Composite Getty Image.

C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson found themselves in the same spot when they met in Week 2 last season.

Both quarterbacks were top-five draft picks, lost their season openers and seemed to be facing a steep learning curve.

Richardson won Round 1 in Houston, although he didn't finish the game.

Stroud took Round 2 in Indianapolis with the injured Richardson watching from the sideline as Texans clinched the AFC South title and Stroud locked up his runaway selection as NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

On Sunday, each QB begins his second pro season — with a lot still to prove.

“I’m excited. First official game back with my guys and my teammates,” said Richardson, who had season-ending shoulder surgery last October. "I want to win. So, whatever I’ve got to do to do that, I’m going to do it.”

Winning a season opener certainly would be a welcome change for a franchise that last started 1-0 in 2013. The 10-game winless streak is easily the NFL's longest active streak.

But that's just a start for Richardson.

He needs to improve his accuracy after completing a pedestrian 59.5% of his throws in 2023 and must demonstrate he can finish games. He missed 13 last season and only finished one of his four starts because of an assortment of injuries, including the concussion that knocked him out of that Week 2 matchup at Houston after he ran for two scores.

Stroud, meanwhile, is coming off one of the most successful rookie seasons in NFL history.

He became just the third player in a half-century to lead the league in yards passing per game (273.9) and touchdown-to-interception ratio (4.6 to 1), won a playoff game and made hist first Pro Bowl appearance.

How can he improve on a season like that? By showing last season was a building block — not a fluke. He has a stronger supporting cast, too, with Joe Mixon, a four-time 1,000-yard rusher, and Stefon Diggs, who has four straight 100-catch seasons, now in the mix.

The long journey begins Sunday in Indianapolis.

“I want to just start fast,” Stroud said. “It doesn't have to do with a certain game, just in general this season. Last year, we started off really slow and just kind of had to build our way back. It's not an easy thing to do, so I would say this year we want to start fast.”

Nico vs. Colts

Houston receiver Nico Collins had two of his biggest games last season against Indy — catching seven passes for 146 yards and one TD in the Week 2 matchup only to outperform those numbers with a 195-yard day that included a 75-yard TD catch in Week 18.

He could play an even bigger role this time with Indy's young secondary trying to match up not only with Collins but also Diggs, Mixon and tight end Dalton Schultz.

“Nico is a playmaker,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Every time I see him, he’s a true playmaker. So, you just have to get Nico the ball in any way, shape or fashion. Just find a way to get him the ball just to see how explosive and how dynamic he is.”

Taylor made

Injuries and a contract dispute prevented Jonathan Taylor from replicating the form he used to win the 2021 NFL rushing title. Starting against the Texans could be just what he needs.

In six games against Houston, Taylor has rushed for seven TDs and 135.2 yards per game — his highest average against any team he's faced multiple times. And in that rematch with Houston in Week 18, he finished with 30 carries for 188 yards, the NFL's highest single-game total all season.

Confident Anderson

Houston defensive end Will Anderson, last season’s AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, will play Sunday after recovering from an ankle injury that limited his training camp snaps.

The No. 3 overall pick in 2023 had 45 tackles, 10 for loss, and 7 1/2 sacks as a rookie. He expects to be even better this season.

“I’m way more comfortable,” he said. “Just going into Year 2 knowing the scheme better, knowing what to expect a little bit more and knowing what’s going to happen gives you more confidence.”

Pass rush

The Colts lost their 2023 sacks leader, Samson Ebukam, with a torn Achilles tendon during training. But they may have the perfect replacement.

Laiatu Latu was the first defensive player taken in April's draft, at No. 15 overall, and he's shown coaches that the moves he used to record 23 1/2 sacks over his last two college seasons can work in the NFL.

“We know that there’s going to be a learning curve there," defensive coordinator Gus Bradley said. "We know there are going to be plays that we’re going to come in and say there were some good plays, and there were plays he wishes he had back — we understand that. But just his overall mentality and skill set, we’re very excited to see.”

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