Sophomores shine at Dallas UA combine
April 5, 2010
BEDFORD, Texas -- While a number of talented juniors were on hand at Pennington Field on Saturday for the Dallas Under Armour Combine, it was a pair of sophomores that stole the show. Lightning-quick running back Russell Hansbrough (Arlington, Texas/Bowie) and athletic defensive end Michael Richardson (DeSoto, Texas/DeSoto) had heads turning with performances that will only help their stock rise among college coaches.
Hansbrough put together a terrific testing day featuring a 4.49 40-yard dash followed by a solid hour in one-on-ones and 7-on-7 in which his darting quickness proved to be a tough cover for any linebacker or safety. Richardson also flashed the strength and ability off the edge that earned him a starting spot on a loaded Eagles team as a sophomore.
"It's been a pretty good day out here," said Hansbrough, who averaged more than nine yards a carry as a sophomore. "I normally run a 4.47 (forty), but I'll take a 4.49. It's been good. I came out here to get instruction and experience from the coaches and its been great. They have helped me with my 40 and routes. The competition has been good."
In addition to his quick 40, Hansbrough ripped off a 4.5 shuttle, 7.27-L-cone and 32-inch vertical. Proving tough to get a hand on in 7-on-7, it's not a surprise that college programs have already taken notice.
"I've gotten interest from Arizona State, Texas A&M and Oregon. I really liked Oklahoma, Alabama and Florida growing up," Hansbrough said.
For Richardson, it's all about improving.
"I'm out here to get better and test myself against the best," said Richardson.
The 6-foot-1, 219-pounder more than held his own in one-on-ones with a combination of first-step quickness, the ability to dip the inside shoulder and turn the corner with a closing burst. His explosiveness was also apparent in testing with a 35-inch powerful vertical leap.
South Dallas speed
Running back Antoine Jimmerson (DeSoto, Texas/DeSoto) put together one of the top testing days featuring a 4.50 40, 4.41 shuttle (5-10-5), 7.27 L-cone drill and a 31-inch vertical. The 5-8, 198-pounder is receiving looks from a number of regional programs. He flashed his darting quickness and fluidity, while changing directions throughout the day.
A pair of receivers were also impressive from DeSoto High School. Austin Vincent and Demarcus Thompson both put up quality numbers and backed it up in one-on-ones and 7-on-7 with solid performances. Vincent (6-0, 172 pounds) ran a 4.61 40, a 7.39 L-cone and leaped 31.5 inches, while the 5-10, 161-pound Thompson ran a 4.6 and recorded a 31-inch vertical. Vincent was one of the more confident players in drills, 7-on-7 and had plenty of success separating out of his breaks and making the tough catch in traffic.
Kendall Morris (Lancaster, Texas/Lancaster) was another that tested well on Saturday. The 5-9, 166-pound cornerback ran a 4.53 40, leaped an impressive 37.5 inches and backed up the times with some impressive closing speed in one-on-ones as well as a leaping pass breakup in 7-on-7. Morris has waited for his chance to play for the Tigers, playing behind a slew of Division I signees in the secondary.
Safety Brandon Baker (Lancaster, Texas/Lancaster) has an offer on the table from Tulsa and he showed exactly why. At 6-0, 172 pounds with long arms and a 34-inch vertical, he proved to be tough to throw the ball over in drill work showing impressive timing and high-point ball skills. In addition to Tulsa, Texas A&M, Minnesota, Kansas State and Baylor are showing interest.
There has been a buzz at Seguin High School in Arlington about safety prospect Lloyd Fraction (Arlington, Texas/Seguin) since the middle of the 2009 season and he showed why at Pennington Field. He checked in at 5-10, 183 pounds, recorded a 4.59 40, a 7.2 L-cone and a 33-inch vertical. Fraction worked at outside linebacker for most of the day showing the ability to play in space with reactive quickness. After watching him move with fluidity, it comes without surprise why programs from around the region are taking a long look at the latest safety prospect out of Seguin.
"The programs recruiting me are Nebraska, Tulsa, Missouri, Kansas State, TCU, Texas A&M, Iowa State, Utah and that's about it," said Fraction. "I think Tulsa is close to offering and my coach says Kansas State too."
Kenneth Lynn of Dallas Kimball turned in a blazing fast 40-yard dash time of 4.45. The 5-10, 160-pound corner and receiver has been offered by Louisiana-Monroe and Dartmouth and has TCU, Louisiana Tech, SMU and Oklahoma State showing interest.
Next in line
Deion Sanders Jr. (Flower Mound, Texas/Marcus) drew the watchful eye of his father, Deion Sanders, and many others Saturday. Sanders Jr. worked out at quarterback and receiver and looked the part of an intriguing slot receiver prospect, flashing impressive quickness and body control along with soft hands and the ability to make the tough catch. The 5-7, 161-pound sophomore also darted his way to a 7.29 L-cone drill.
Junior receiver James Teague (Plano, Texas/Hebron) is built along the same lines as Sanders Jr. The son of former Dallas Cowboy George Teague leaped 30 inches and checked in at 5-7, 170 pounds.
The combine brought out a number of sons of former NFL players. Sophomore DeVante Harris (Mesquite, Texas/Horn) is the son of former Texas A&M and NFL return man Rod Harris. Harris is slight of build at 5-8, 132 pounds, but can run and showed impressive change of direction ability at corner. He clocked a 4.62 40, 4.58 shuttle and a very impressive 7.13 L-cone time before backing up the numbers with some quick, reactive plays in 7-on-7. He competed physically for the ball in the air, despite the fact that he is yet to begin filling out physically.
Texas A&M is the clear favorite of Harris.
Solid day for Barnett
Oklahoma commit Chris Barnett (Bedford, Texas/Euless Trinity) was another one of the top prospects on hand. The 6-4, 244-pound Barnett ran a 4.97 40-yard dash and leaped 30 inches. His competitive spirit showed up in one-on-ones and 7-on-7 as he consistently jumped to the front of the line at each chance taking rep after rep. He showed the ability to get off the line quickly and contort his body to make the tough catch.
2011 Under Armour All-American Anthony Wallace (Dallas/Skyline) and safety/outside linebacker Franklin Shannon (Dallas/Skyline) were also on hand for drill work and 7-on-7, but didn't take part in most of the testing. Wallace (6-0, 218 pounds) and Shannon (5-11, 202 pounds) showed the quickness and explosive ability that has programs from coast-to-coast offering. Wallace, like Barnett, jumped in taking a high number of reps.
Talented runners
David Cobb (Killeen, Texas/Ellison) was one of the top running back prospects on hand. The brother of Texas Tech redshirt freshman outside linebacker Daniel Cobb checked in at a compact and powerful 5-10, 209 pounds. The junior with a Stanford offer clocked an impressive 4.46 shuttle (5-10-5), 7.35 L-cone and leaped 34 inches. In addition to Stanford, the Central Texas star is being recruited by the majority of Big 12 programs.
Small school sleeper Kenneth Jones Jr. (Hearne, Texas/Hearne) also blistered the turf with a 4.48 40. He followed up the quick sprint with a 4.47 shuttle (5-10-5), a 7.23 L-cone drill and a 33-inch vertical. Baylor and Texas A&M are among the programs showing interest. He rushed for about 1,400 yards as a junior.
Strong linemen
Defensive end Jason Neill (Flower Mound, Texas/Marcus) impressed physically in testing and it carried over in one-on-ones. The 6-2, 232-pounder flashed explosive ability and change of direction jumping 30.5 inches, running a very impressive 4.47 shuttle, 7.37 L-cone (which tests the ability to change direction) to go with a 4.78 40. He added 23 reps of 185 pounds on the bench press. Texas Tech, Baylor and Texas A&M are recruiting Neill, who played alongside Oklahoma signee Daniel Noble (Flower Mound, Texas/Marcus) on the defensive line last season.
Center Lucas Powell (Gardner, Kansas/Edgerton) may have had the best day of any offensive lineman in one-on-ones showing the ability to mirror in pass pro holding position against bigger opponents. The 6-1, 265-pound center has been to junior days at Kansas and Oklahoma State. He is receiving attention from Kansas State, Florida International and Florida Atlantic in addition to the Jayhawks and Cowboys.
SMU commit OT Kris Weeks (Garland, Texas/Sachse) and DE Hunter Luna (Webb City, Missouri) also impressed. Weeks checked in at 6-4, 305 pounds and bench pressed 185 pounds 23 times. Luna, who will likely make the move to offensive guard at the next level, measured at 6-1, 254 pounds. He ran a 4.84 shuttle and posted 24 reps of 185 pounds.
Pair of talented signal callers
The crop of quarterbacks on hand at Pennington Field was impressive. Likely the top quarterback prospect on hand was sophomore Darrack Harger (Sand Springs, Okla./Charles Page). The 6-2, 199-pounder showed quality arm strength and impressive timing for a young signal caller. His foot quickness was also impressive in drills, posting a 4.66 shuttle (5-10-5) and a 7.43 L-cone drill.
Plano High School junior Connor Michelsen showed impressive zip on the ball, accuracy and quick feet throughout the day. The 6-0, 177-pound right-handed quarterback is being recruited by North Texas and a host of Ivy League schools.
Bright futures
Freshman Zachary White (DeSoto, Texas/Desoto) clocked a quick 4.59 40, 4.53 shuttle (5-10-5) and an impressive leap of 33 inches. White will likely be in rotation in the defensive backfield for the Eagles next season.
Safety Donovan Starks (Crosby, Texas/Crosby) was one of the more impressive sophomores. The 5-10, 161-pound Starks clocked a 4.68 40, a jet quick 4.25 shuttle (5-10-5) and vertical leap of 34 inches. He was the 19-4A Newcomer of the Year this past season.
Running back Dontonio Jordan was another impressive prospect in the 2012 class. The 5-10, 176-pounder is related to NFL running back Lamont Jordan. Cincinnati and Oklahoma State have his eye on him already.
Gerry Hamilton has covered recruiting in Texas and the Southwest for more than a decade. He can be reached at espngerry@yahoo.com.
