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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Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman are hot names at the Winter Meetings. Composite Getty Image.

The woeful state of the Astros' farm system has made it very expensive to continue maintaining a good team, prohibitively so (in part self-imposed) from having a great team. Even if they re-sign Alex Bregman, trading Framber Valdez and/or Kyle Tucker for prospects could snap the Astros' run of eight straight postseason appearances. But if they KNOW that no way do they intend to offer Framber five years 130 million dollars, Tucker 7/225 or whatever their free agent markets might be after next season, keeping them for 2025 but getting nothing but 2026 compensatory draft picks for them could do multi-year damage to the franchise.

The time is here for the Astros to be aggressively shopping both. It doesn't make trading them obligatory, but even though many purported top prospects amount to little or nothing (look up what the Astros traded to Detroit for Justin Verlander, to Pittsburgh for Gerrit Cole, to Arizona for Zack Greinke) if strong packages are offered the Astros need to act if unwilling (reasonably or not) to pay Valdez/Tucker.

Last offseason the Milwaukee Brewers traded pitching ace Corbin Burnes one season ahead of his free agency and then again won the National League Central, the San Diego Padres dealt Juan Soto and wound up much improved and a playoff team after missing the 2023 postseason. But nailing the trades is critical. The Brewers got their everyday rookie third baseman Joey Ortiz and two other prospects. The Padres got quality starter Michael King, catcher Kyle Hagashioka, and three prospects.

Back to Bregman

Meanwhile, decision time approaches for Alex Bregman. He, via agent Scott Boras, wants 200-plus million dollars. Don't we all. If he can land that from somebody, congratulations. The Astros' six-year 156 million dollar contract offer is more than fair. That's 26 million dollars per season and would take Bregman within a few months of his 37th birthday. If rounding up to 160 mil gets it done, ok I guess. Going to 200 would be silly.

While Bregman hasn't been a superstar (or even an All-Star) since 2019, he's still a very good player. That includes his 2024 season which showed decline offensively. Not falling off a cliff decline other than his walk rate plunging about 45 percent, but decline. If Bregman remains the exact player he was this season, six-156 is pricey but not crazy in the current marketplace. But how likely is Bregman to not drop off further in his mid-30s? As noted before, the storyline is bogus that Bregman has been a postseason monster. Over seven League Championship Series and four World Series Bregman has a .196 batting average.
The Astros already should be sweating some over Jose Altuve having shown marked decline this season, before his five year 125 million dollar extension covering 2025-2029 even starts. Altuve was still very good offensively though well down from 2022 and 2023 (defensively his data are now awful), but as he approaches turning 35 years old in May some concern is warranted when locked into paying a guy until he's nearly 39 1/2.

Jim Crane is right in noting that long contracts paying guys huge money in their later years generally go poorly for the clubs.

Bang for your buck

Cleveland third baseman Jose Ramirez is heading into the second year of a five-year, $124 million extension. That's 24.8 million dollars per season. Jose Ramirez is a clearly better player than Alex Bregman. Ramirez has been the better player for five consecutive seasons, and only in 2023 was it even close. It should be noted that Ramirez signed his extension in April of 2022. He is about a year and a half older than Bregman so the Guardians are paying their superstar through his age 36 season.

Bregman benefits from playing his home games at soon-to be named Daikin Park. Bregman hit 26 home runs this year. Using ball-tracking data, if he had played all his games in Houston, Bregman would have hit 31 homers. Had all his swings been taken at Yankee Stadium, the "Breggy Bomb" count would have been 25. In Cleveland, just 18. Ramirez hit 41 dingers. If all his games were home games 40 would have cleared the fences, if all had been at Minute Maid Park 47 would have been gone.

Matt Chapman recently signed a six-year 151 million dollar deal to stay with the San Francisco Giants. That's 25.166 million per season. Chapman was clearly a better player than Bregman this year. But it's the only season of Chapman's career that is the case. Chapman is 11 months older than Bregman, so his lush deal with the Giants carries through his age 37 season.

The Giants having overpaid Chapman doesn't obligate the Astros to do the same with Bregman. So, if you're the Astros do you accept overpaying Bregman? They would almost certainly be worse without him in 2025, but what about beyond? Again, having not one elite prospect in their minor league system boxes them in. Still, until/unless the Seattle Mariners upgrade their offense, the Astros cling to American League West favorites status. On the other hand, WITH Bregman, Tucker, and Valdez the Astros are no postseason lock.

For Texans’ conversation, catch Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and me on our Texans On Tap podcasts. Thursdays feature a preview of the upcoming game, and then we go live (then available on demand) after the final gun of the game: Texans on Tap - YouTube

The Astros are always in season for discussion. Our Stone Cold ‘Stros podcasts drop Mondays: Click here to watch!

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