Super 60
VYPE Ranks the Top 60 2019 Football Recruits in Houston
Matt Malatesta
May 15, 2018, 8:10 pm
VYPE's Annual Spring Football magazine hits stands this week. In this month's issue, VYPE explores the Greater Houston Area searching for the best football stories as we head into the Summer.
One thing that remains consistent from year to year in Houston? Recruiting across the Bayou City is absolutely on fire.
Offers are being extended to athletes in Houston at an alarming rate, and why wouldn't they? It's no secret Houston is the hottest of hotbeds when it comes to football talent.
VYPE's Matt Malatesta and Taylor Hamm worked together to come up with the 60 best 2019 recruits. Without further ado...
By Matt Malatesta and Taylor Hamm
Rank, Name, School, Position, College
1. Grant Gunnell, St. Pius X, QB
2. Kenyon Green, Atascocita, OL
3. Marcus Stripling, Mayde Creek, DE
4. Erick Young, FB Bush, DB
5. Javonne Shepherd, North Forest, OL
6. Braedon Mowry, Katy Taylor, DE, Texas A&M-commit
7. Isaiah Spiller, Klein Collins, RB
8. Tyler Johnson, Oak Ridge, OL
9. Arjei Henderson, FB Travis, WR, Oklahoma-commit
10. Bobby Wolfe, Madison, DB
11. Andrew Coker, Katy Taylor, OL
12. Deondrick Glass, Katy, RB
13. Marcus Banks, Dekaney, DB
14. Ainias Smith, Dulles, WR
15. T’Vondre Sweat, Huntsville, DE, Texas-commit
16. Kori Roberson, Manvel, DE, Oklahoma-commit
17. Jalen Curry, St. Pius, WR
18. Jamal Morris, FB Bush, DB, Oklahoma-commit
19. Terrance Gipson, Westfield, QB
20. David Ugwoegbu, Seven Lakes, TE
21. Marques Caldwell, Alvin, DB, Oregon-commit
22. David Gbenda, Cinco Ranch, LB
23. Chase Lane, St. Pius, WR, Texas A&M-commit
24. Chris Herron, Langham Creek, QB
25. Rian Davis, Clear Lake, DE* (Moved to Apopka, FL)
26. Jalen Wydermyer, Dickinson, TE
27. Thomas Gordon, Strake Jesuit, TE, Northwestern-commit
28. Gilbert Ibeneme, Pearland, DE
29. Gabriel Hall, Waller, DT
30. Nelson Ceaser, Ridge Point, DE
31. Zach Zimos, FB Travis, LB, Cal-commit
32. Corien Azema, Langham Creek, DB
33. McKade Mettauer, St. Pius, OL
34. Kaymen St. Junious, Shadow Creek, DB
35. Garrison Johnson, Manvel RB, North Texas-commit
36. Gerald Irons III, Klein Oak, DT
37. Peter Mpagi, George Ranch, DE
38. Harrison White, Klein, DE
39. Nathaniel Beal III, Strake Jesuit, WR
40. Tony Bradford, North Shore, DT
41. Shae Suiaunoa, Clear Lake, QB
42. Shea Whiting, Alief Taylor
43. Tyrone Brown, Atascocita, LB, Baylor-commit
44. Jason Gold, Clear Springs, DE
45. Bryton Thompson, Atascocita, DT
46. Corey Williams, Episcopal, ATH
47. Alex Hogan, Lamar, DB
48. Cole Birmingham, Katy, OL
49. Rayshawn James, Westfield, RB, Houston-commit
50. Rodquice Chaney, Elsik, OL
51. Korey King, FB Marshall, WR
52. Ja’Corey Benjamin, Hastings, DB
53. Layden Robinson, Manvel, OL
54. Kenneth Dotson, Lamar, DE
55. Todd Hudson, Clear Springs, Athlete
56. Peyton Matcocha, St. Thomas, QB
57. Asher Alberding, Clear Lake, TE
58. Jaiden Howard, Crosby, QB
59. Kealon Jackson, Shadow Creek, WR
60. Ben Montgomery, Katy Taylor, DB
NFL analyst Albert Breer isn’t buying the quiet offseason surrounding the Houston Texans. In his view, the buzz — or lack of it — isn’t reflective of what this team actually is: a legitimate AFC contender that should be taken seriously in 2025.
Much of the skepticism, Breer believes, comes from surface-level narratives. The Texans went 10-7 in the regular season last year, a step back from the lofty expectations set after C.J. Stroud’s electric rookie year and Houston’s dramatic playoff push. And while the offense didn’t maintain its early-season explosion under Bobby Slowik, people seem to be overlooking how that same Texans team ended the year: as one of the last four teams standing in the AFC — alongside the Chiefs, Bills, and Ravens.
In Breer’s eyes, Houston belongs in that group. The defense is championship-caliber, with rising stars and playmakers at every level. And offensively, the switch to Nick Caley as offensive coordinator could be just what the unit needs. Caley brings a fresh voice and perspective, and paired with a fully settled-in Stroud, the Texans are well-positioned to take another leap forward.
One moment Breer points to as underrated: Houston’s Divisional Round game against Kansas City at Arrowhead. While most remember the Texans bowing out of the playoffs there, many forget they were trailing by just one point going into the fourth quarter — toe-to-toe with the defending Super Bowl champs in one of the toughest environments in football.
The Texans’ current win total is set at 9.5 by oddsmakers — a line Breer believes is too low. His expectation? Twelve wins and another deep playoff run. To him, the narrative that Houston is being “slept on” will disappear soon enough — likely around the time the Texans remind everyone why they’re still a problem in the AFC.
You can watch the video below for the full conversation.
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*ChatGPT assisted.
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