Another week saw important Texas Longhorns commits and targets put up big numbers on the gridiron. From Maalik Murphy to Johntay Cook and everyone in between, several players filled up the stat sheet in a huge way.
Some commits, such as Mater Dei linebacker Eoghan Kerry and Texas High defender Derrick Brown were off this week. Arlington Martin standout Trevell Johnson announced that he would be having season-ending surgery. Recent UT commit Jaray Bledsoe has not been ruled eligible at Marlin.
Now, on to notable stats from Texas targets and commitments…
4-star Texas quarterback Maalik Murphy threw a 54-yard touchdown pass and threw multiple other deep balls in Junipero Serra’s loss to American Fork (CA) on Saturday. Murphy has thrown for 570 yards and four touchdowns to two interceptions through three games. He has also ran for a pair of touchdowns on the ground.
Texas running back commit Jamarion Miller is off to an impressive start to his senior season at Tyler Legacy. After rushing for more than 100 yards in last week’s win over Lufkin, the four-star added 157 yards on the ground and a kickoff return for six against Tyler this past Friday.
Wide receiver commit Armani Winfield is still out for Lewisville, but he plans to be back in action next week against Arlington Lamar. Oregon State commit Damien Martinez dominated to the tune of five rushing touchdowns.
2024 Texas target Jaydan Hardy was all over the field in Lewisville’s 52-24 win over Keller Timber Creek. Hardy looks to be among the top players in his class at this stage and holds offers from all over.
Denton Ryan and Denton Guyer played in a classic on Friday. The battle between two fierce rivals was loaded with talent that the Texas staff is recruiting. 2023 defensive back targets Ryan Yaites and Peyton Bowen prevailed over a Ryan team led by Texas commit Austin Jordan and 2023 Texas target Anthony Hill.
A combined 21 points was scored in the defensive battle. Guyer eventually grabbed the victory in overtime.
Allen and Atascocita was another big game in the Dallas Fort-Worth Metroplex. Texas targets Neto Umeozulu and David Hicks of Allen battled 5-star Texas target Kam Dewberry of Atascocita on Friday night. Dewberry and his Atascocita team dominated, winning 41-20 and handing Allen its first ever loss at its stadium. Wide receiver Chase Sowell stole the show in the victory.
Texas offensive line commit Connor Robertson and Austin Westlake grabbed a big win over Oklahoma State commit Ollie Gordon and Euless Trinity in Austin on Friday. Robertson, along with 2023 Texas target TJ Shanahan Jr., set the tone in a dominant 34-14 victory.
The Chaps are definitely the team to beat in 6A, as they have dominated Arlington Martin and Euless Trinity in consecutive weeks.
UT commit Anthony Jones and Liberty (NV) continue their dominant start to the season, rolling to a 34-6 victory over Foothill (NV). The athletic Jones plays both ways and had one carry for 30 yards in the win. This week’s matchup with national powerhouse Mater Dei provides a big opportunity for Jones.
Aledo, led by Texas commit Bryan Allen, Jr., knocked off Frisco Lone Star at Toyota Stadium on Thursday evening. Oklahoma State QB commit Garret Rangel went down with an apparent knee injury in the game. Oklahoma pledge Jason Llewellyn grabbed a touchdown from Nevada commit Brayden Flower Nicolosi for Aledo. Allen’s younger brother, Jaden Allen, grabbed an interception in the game.
DeSoto and Arlington Bowie took the field against each other on Friday in yet another game loaded by Texas targets. Johntay Cook II of DeSoto is one of the top priorities for the Longhorns in 2023 class, and he hauled in a 24-yard touchdown reception. Cook is always a big play waiting to happen for the Eagles.
At the line of scrimmage, 2024 Texas offer Caleb Mitchell and the DeSoto defense matched up with 5-star 2022 Texas target Devon Campbell and the Bowie offensive lineman. Ultimately, DeSoto grabbed a 45-21 victory.
Campbell, meanwhile, dropped his top-5 last Wednesday. The Longhorns are battling some stiff competition for the elite lineman
Defensive line commit Aaron Bryant and Southaven (MS) fell to Columbus (MS) on 10-6 Friday. Bryant and the Chargers defense held Columbus to three scoreless quarters and have only allowed 10 points total through two games.
North Shore, led by Texas commit Kristopher Ross and 5-star defensive back Denver Harris, shut down the Klein Collins offense en route to a 34-7 win on Friday. The Mustangs held the Tigers to just 125 yards of total offense, including only 53 yards through the air. Ross and Harris lead a dominant North Shore defense that is sure to give just about any offense a ton of fits.
4-star defensive end Omari Abor and Duncanville knocked off Malik Muhammad and South Oak Cliff 42-27 in a game that featured a ton of high-end talent. Texas recently made Abor's top-5, which also includes Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, and Texas A&M.
In Frisco, Texas commit Cole Hutson and Frisco High defeated Frisco Reedy 43-30 in a crosstown battle. Hutson is one of the more important commits in the Longhorns class, as he is one of just two linemen committed right now.
At a different Frisco school, 5-star Texas target Evan Stewart and Frisco Liberty defeated Greenville 55-21. Stewart grabbed 11 passes for a whopping 211 yards and a touchdown in the win, showing why he is among the top priorities for the Longhorns, Crimson Tide, and Gators.
