2015 ETSN.fm Preseason East Texas Football Super Team
The East Texas football landscapes never disappoints. Each summer, the staff at ETSN.fm combs through the thousands of players in the area to pick its annual preseason East Texas Super Team.
It is simultaneously the most fun and hardest job we undertake all year. Whittling down the region's best to 29 names is no easy feat; there are inevitably great players left off the list each and every single season.
ETSN.fm covers more than 100 schools in the area -- from Texarkana all the way down to Newton and Jasper. The following are, in our judgment, the very best players at their respective positions.
Tyler Lee quarterback Zach Hall is the preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while Gilmer defensive lineman and Texas pledge Demarco Boyd is the preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Without further adieu, we bring you the 2015 ETSN.fm Preseason East Texas Football Super Team:
- QB
Zach Hall
Tyler LeePreseason Offensive Player of the Year
Class: Senior (offers from Baylor, Texas Tech)
Height: 5-10
Weight: 170
2014 stats: 158 of 237, 2,053 yards, 18 TDs, 4 INTs; 183 carries, 1,502 yards, 21 TDs
Outlook: The man that drives the engine to one of East Texas' most explosive offenses in 2014, Hall will be entering his third season as the Tyler Lee starting quarterback. Under his watch, the Red Raiders snapped a three-year playoff drought -- the program's longest since 1994-96. While his future at the next level figures to be on the defensive side of the ball, there are few players in the area more dynamic with the ball in their hands than Hall. - RB
Logan Fuller
AthensClass: Senior
Height: 5-8
Weight: 210
2014 stats: 301 carries, 2,089 yards, 23 TDs
Outlook: The workhorse in Athens' Wing-T offense is Fuller, who was one of only five players in East Texas to eclipse the 2,000-yard rushing mark a season ago. Playing the fullback position, Fuller's frame and running style make him difficult to bring down. At only 5-8, he naturally runs low to the ground, and his 210-pound frame allows for shedding one-on-one tackle attempts. - RB
Tylan Miller
LongviewClass: Senior
Height: 5-8
Weight: 195
2014 stats: 1,444 rushing yards, 19 TDs; 11 catches, 166 yards, 2 TDs
Outlook: Longview has been churning out productive running backs for more than a decade under longtime coach John King. An offseason injury to 2015 Baylor signee JaMycal Hasty opened the door for Miller to step into the starter's role last year. And the junior didn't disappoint, averaging more than 120 rushing yards per game in 2014. Expect more of the same from the Lobos' primary back this fall. - RB
Aphonso Thomas
VanClass: Senior (committed to Nebraska)
Height: 5-10
Weight: 190
2014 stats: 106 carres, 934 yards, 12 TDs
Outlook: The Van Vandals enjoyed their first undefeated regular season in 30 years in 2014, and their strong running game provided the offensive catalyst. Thomas shared the spotlight with leading rusher Matt Savis as a junior, but 2015 will see the Nebraska commit come to forefront in the Van rushing attack. With a strong, compact frame, excellent lateral movement, and a willingness to wait for lanes to open up, a big season could be on the horizon for Thomas. - WR
Trestan Ebner
HendersonClass: Junior (offers from Kansas, SMU)
Height: 6-0
Weight: 180
2014 stats: 40 catches, 918 yards, 11 TDs
Outlook: Henderson captured its first outright district title -- in a league that also consists of heavyweights Carthage, Kilgore, and Chapel Hill -- since 2000 last season. A seasoned offensive line and quarterback in Zane Boles served as the team's identity, but the Lions' downfield passing attack received a major boost in the person of Ebner, who averaged 23 yards per catch as a sophomore. Already the owner of two FBS offers, expect both Ebner's offensive stats and offer sheet to expand in the coming months. - WR
Damion Miller
John TylerClass: Junior (committed to Texas)
Height: 6-1
Weight: 190
2014 stats: 26 catches, 614 yards, 8 TDs
Outlook: Perhaps the jewel of East Texas' 2017 recruiting class, Miller exploded onto the scene during John Tyler's stretch run toward a berth in the state semifinals. Following moderate success during the first half of the year, Miller turned it on during district play and the postseason. Playing within a talented and senior-laden receiving corps, Miller finished as the Lions' team leader in receiving touchdowns and yards per catch (23.6). Miller has drawn comparisons to Mississippi State receiver and ex-JT standout Fred Ross. - WR
Denzel Mims
DaingerfieldClass: Senior (committed to Baylor)
Height: 6-4
Weight: 180
2014 stats: 39 catches, 682 yards, 6 TDs
Outlook: It was a season to forget for perennial power Daingerfield, which experienced its worst season since 1964. But it was no fault of Mims, who became the team's top playmaker. He continued his junior campaign with a stellar track season, which culminated in his state championship in the 200-meter dash last May. An early-June commitment to Baylor only cemented Mims' status as one of East Texas' very best players. - WR
Kendrick Rogers
FrankstonClass: Senior (committed to Texas A&M)
Height: 6-5
Weight: 190
2014 stats: 57 catches, 1,047 yards, 11 TDs
Outlook: One look at Rogers, and it's easy to understand why the Frankston wideout is among the most talented pass-catchers, not only in East Texas, but the entire state. Rogers' 6-5 frame translates well to major college football, and makes him a near-impossible matchup at the 3A level, especially in the red zone. His new coach, former Tyler Lee boss and state-championship winning leader Mike Owens, is no stranger to elite-level talent. - OL
Austin Anderson
MineolaClass: Senior (committed to Texas A&M)
Height: 6-4
Weight: 280
2014 stats: 95 percent grade, 118 pancakes
Outlook: It would've been hard to predict what has transpired in Mineola over the previous 12 months. Not only did the Yellowjackets make history by reaching the state championship game for the first time, but the offseason was just as busy, especially for the Anderson twins, who combined have more than 50 college offers. - OL
Riley Anderson
MineolaClass: Senior (committed to Texas A&M)
Height: 6-5
Weight: 280
2014 stats: 91 percent grade, 96 pancakes
Outlook: Elite offensive line prospects are hard to come by, finding them at the Class 3A level is even less likely. But to have two of them on the same team at the same time? It's great to be a fan of Mineola football these days. Austin and Riley Anderson paved the way for a young backfield to lead the 'Jackets to the 3A Division I title game last December, and both announced plans to join the Texas A&M football program following their graduation. - OL
Adrian Harris
John TylerClass: Senior (offer by ULM)
Height: 6-3
Weight: 290
2014 stats: 86 percent grade, 58 knockdowns
Outlook: John Tyler has reached the state semifinal round in three of the last four seasons, and teams do not repeatedly make deep runs in the playoffs without standout offensive linemen. And Harris is just that for head coach Ricklan Holmes and Co. The incoming senior protected a quarterback that accumulated 4,000 yards of total offense, and blocked for a running back that went for nearly 1,800 yards in 2014. Harris' senior leadership will be counted upon this season with several underclassmen expected to contribute for JT this fall. - OL
Jeremy West
Chapel HillClass: Senior (offer by ULL)
Height: 6-3
Weight: 300
2014 stats: 52 knockdowns
Outlook: By most standards of measurement, West enjoyed an excellent junior season. He anchored an offensive line that helped Chapel Hill compile 438.5 yards and 38.5 points per game in 2014, but West wasn't satisfied. During the offseason, he added about 30 pounds of weight, and dedicated himself to becoming one of the best linemen East Texas has to offer. It paid off with a handful of scholarship offers, and now he'll be charged with helping a young Bulldogs O-line come together quickly in the hopes of making a deep run in the playoffs. - OL
Josh West
AthensClass: Senior
Height: 6-2
Weight: 290
2014 stats: 90 percent grade, 49 pancakes, 0 sacks allowed
Outlook: Athens runs the ball on offense about 90 percent of the time, as expected from a unit based out of the Wing-T formation. In order to run an offense so run-heavy, a solid offensive line is a prerequisite. And West is the best of the bunch for the Hornets, who are looking to reach the playoffs for the sixth time in seven years under head coach Paul Essary. West has the size, quickness, and strength to develop into one of East Texas' best O-line prospects in the 2016 class. - K
Jozef Ruiz
VanClass: Senior
Height: 5-8
Weight: 165
2014 stats: 57 of 57 on PATs, 9 of 10 on FGs, 19 touchbacks
Outlook: Kicking, and in particular kicking at the high school level, is far from a sure thing. But Ruiz was about as automatic as it gets in 2014, making every extra point he attempted while connecting on all but one of his field-goal tries. He represented one of a multitude reasons why the Vandals went 10-0 during the regular season, and eventually ascended into the state's top 10 poll. - ATH
Keenen Johnson
AltoClass: Senior (offers from ULL, SMU)
Height: 6-1
Weight: 190
2014 stats: 74 of 120, 1,607 yards, 18 TDs, 4 INTs; 199 carries, 2,438 yards, 34 TDs
Outlook: The small community of Alto is certainly no stranger to big-time talents, having the reputation as one of the state's most respected small-school programs. Johnson is the next in a long line of elite Yellowjackets playmakers, following a sensational debut season as Alto's quarterback in 2014. With more than 4,000 total yards of offense and 52 touchdowns, Johnson ignited an Alto offense that averaged almost 52 points per game a season ago. College football has taken notice as well, as Johnson enters his senior campaign the owner of a pair of FBS offers. - DL
Demarco Boyd
GilmerPreseason Defensive Player of the Year
Class: Senior (committed to Texas)
Height: 6-0
Weight: 215
2014 stats: 100 tackles, 5 sacks, 14 QB pressures, 6 forced fumbles, 2 recoveries, 1 INT, 1 defensive TD
Outlook: The defensive heartbeat of Gilmer's state-championship winning team, Boyd is about as versatile as they come at the high school level. After contributing mightily on offense as a sophomore, Boyd simply wasn't needed as much at that side last season. Expect him to get into the action a bit more on 'O' in 2015, but where Boyd makes his biggest impact is on defense. He'll line up almost anywhere on the field, and still dominates most situations. Most likely an OLB in college, Boyd is a supreme pass rusher off the edge, and often plays with his hand on the ground. - DL
Braylon Jones
John TylerClass: Senior (committed to Houston)
Height: 6-3
Weight: 290
2014 stats: 88 tackles (13 for loss), 7 sacks, 2 QB pressures
Outlook: Ever since becoming a full-time starter as a sophomore, Jones has been the anchor on John Tyler's interior defense. An excellent run-stuffer up the middle, Jones has also proven his worth as a pass rusher with nearly 20 sacks through his first two varsity seasons. The Lions' run defense in 2014 was among the very best in East Texas, and Jones' play in the middle was one of the biggest reasons for it. - DL
Pierre Leonard
John TylerClass: Senior
Height: 5-9
Weight: 250
2014 stats: 91 tackles (27 for loss), 12 sacks, 6 QB pressures, 5 blocked kicks
Outlook: Jones' partner in crime on John Tyler's defensive front, Leonard exploded onto the scene in 2014 with one of the most productive seasons for any defensive lineman in the area. Don't let his height fool you: Leonard operates with one of the most active motors and mean streaks in all of East Texas. If left to his own devices, Leonard is more than capable of wrecking not only a few offensive series or two, but an entire offensive game plan. It should be fun watching Jones and Leonard work in unison on the Lions' D-line once more. - DL
Bronson Massie
LufkinClass: Senior (offers from Cal, Colorado State, Louisiana Tech, Washington)
Height: 6-3
Weight: 215
2014 stats: 88 tackles (18 for loss), 11 sacks, 6 forced fumbles
Outlook: Defenders don't come any more physical than "Boom" Massie, who strikes fear into his opponents by applying bone-crushing hits. When not terrorizing offensive tackles with his blinding quickness off the edge, Massie is busy running down the field and blowing up blockers and return-men on special teams. A few FBS programs have caught on to Massie's abilities, but expect a few more to take notice once the 2015 season gets under way. - LB
Chan Amie
WaskomClass: Senior
Height: 5-10
Weight: 170
2014 stats: 91 carries, 967 yards, 12 TDs; 12 kickoff/punt returns, 413 yards, 3 TDs; 216 tackles (36 for loss), 12 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 3 recoveries, 2 INTs, 2 PBUs, 1 defensive TD
Outlook: Amie did a little bit of everything during Waskom's state-championship season of 2014, and a lot of everything in the Wildcats' title-game win over Newton last December in Arlington. He was named Defensive MVP for the game after registering an incredible 24 tackles with a forced fumble, but Amie didn't stop there. He also returned a kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown, and scored another on offense in helping Waskom to its first-ever state crown. - LB
Noah Bush
AthensClass: Junior
Height: 6-2
Weight: 215
2014 stats: 146 tackles, 1 sack, 2 fumble recoveries
Outlook: Few sophomores had a bigger impact on the defensive side of the ball in 2014 than Bush, who stepped into action with 140-plus tackles for a team that reached the second round of the Class 4A Division I playoffs. With good size, speed, and football instincts, Bush is a prototypical linebacker capable of playing both the running and passing games. A solid showing at the ETSN.fm + APEC Recruiting Combine in May let a few others in on what head coach Paul Essary, his staff, and fans of Athens already knew. - LB
Tanner Holmes
NewtonClass: Senior (committed to ULL)
Height: 6-2
Weight: 220
2014 stats: 194 tackles (42 for loss), 7 sacks, 9 QB pressures, 2 forced fumbles, 1 recovery, 1 INT, 6 PBUs)
Outlook: Perennial small-school giant Newton got off to an uncharacteristically slow 1-3 start to 2014, but reeled off 11 consecutive wins to reach its first state title game since 2005. An important ingredient to Newton's in-season resurgence was a defense that allowed only 11 points per game during the Eagles' 11-game winning streak. And Holmes was Newton's most productive defender, finishing with nearly 200 tackles -- 40-plus of which came behind the line of scrimmage. Expect another big season from the recent ULL pledge. - LB
Khyree Key
WhitehouseClass: Junior
Height: 6-3
Weight: 225
2014 stats: 57 tackles (1 for loss), 1 forced fumble
Outlook: The southern Smith County town of Whitehouse has suddenly become a breeding ground for potential college football recruits. From former five-star WR and Oklahoma signee Trey Metoyer, to current Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the Wildcats have developed a recent track record of producing top-tier talent. Key could become yet another major college recruit out of Whitehouse. With great size and plenty of speed to burn, Key has all the tools necessary to become not only a household name to those in East Texas, but also a name college recruiters and message-board dwellers begin to see and hear with regularity. - DB
Bryston Gipson
John TylerClass: Senior
Height: 5-11
Weight: 170
2014 stats: 71 tackles (3 for loss), 1 sack, 2 INTs, 6 fumble recoveries, 4 blocked kicks, 2 defensive TDs
Outlook: Playing in a defensive backfield crowded with talent, Gipson fit right in the John Tyler secondary. And he did so with a knack for making big plays from his safety position. He was a physical presence when matched up with receivers, his nose for the football led to game-changing turnovers, and his natural instincts allowed him to become a force on special teams as well. With a similar 2015 season, Gipson could begin attracting major attention from FBS college programs. - DB
Travon Fuller
AthensClass: Senior (committed to Texas A&M)
Height: 6-0
Weight: 160
2014 stats: 54 tackles, 7 INTs, 1 forced fumble, 2 recoveries, 1 defensive TD
Outlook: Following a supremely productive sophomore season, Fuller came back with another solid campaign in 2014, once again morphing into a turnover machine for the Athens defense. His ability to play both CB and S, and excel at each position, speaks to Fuller's all-around football I.Q. and tremendous athleticism. It's no wonder Fuller is expected to follow in the footsteps of so many of East Texas' recent top-flight recruits, and head to Texas A&M after his high school days are done. - DB
Brandon Jones
NacogdochesClass: Senior (offers from Alabama, Arizona State, Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Boise State, California, Florida State, Georgia, Houston, Kentucky, Louisiana Tech, Louisville, LSU, Maryland, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Missouri, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, SMU, Stanford, TCU, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Tulsa, UCLA, USC, Washington State)
Height: 6-0
Weight: 190
2014 stats: 30 tackles, 2 forced fumbles (6 games)
Outlook: Arguably East Texas' top overall talent, Jones has helped put Nacogdoches football on the map. The Dragons have reached the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1965-66, and Jones' exploits on the defensive side of the ball are among the biggest reasons why. Jones enjoyed breakout success as a sophomore, but a knee injury cost the budding star almost half of his junior season. A quick rehab during the offseason, and a hunger to leave Nacogdoches as its most celebrated star has Jones in a perfect position to save his best for last. - DB
Micahh Smith
MarshallClass: Senior (offer from Texas State)
Height: 6-0
Weight: 185
2014 stats: N/A
Outlook: Like his Marshall football team, Smith flew under the radar for most of the 2014 season. But a strong performance in district helped return the proud East Texas program to prominence, and began to shed some light on a few of the Mavericks' top standouts, including Smith. In head coach Clint Harper's first year on the job in 2013, progress was made, but most of it was on offense. The defense still needed improvement, especially in the big-play department. Smith, a linebacker and safety for the Mavs, helped shore up Marshall's defensive inefficiencies last season, and turned Marshall into an area-round playoff team. - P
Austyn Fendrick
Chapel HillClass: Senior
Height: 6-1
Weight: 195
2014 stats: 37.6 yards per punt (long of 71)
Outlook: Special teams is the most overlooked phase in football, but when blessed with top-notch talent at kicker or punter, it can make all the difference in the world. Fendrick, who also handled the placekicking duties for Chapel Hill as a junior, answered the call for the Bulldogs' punt team in 2014. The Bulldogs didn't punt very often, but when they had to, Fendrick made sure he gave his defense the best possible field position. His expertise in the kicking/punting department has earned Fendrick a rare scholarship offer from Northwestern State. - UTL
Ke'Mon Freeman
Liberty-EylauClass: Senior (offers from Arkansas State, North Texas, SMU)
Height: 6-0
Weight: 190
2014 stats: 89 of 193, 1,442 yards, 16 TDs; 170 carries, 1,276 yards, 13 TDs)
Outlook: Liberty-Eylau got off to a shaky 1-5 start to the 2014 season, but ultimately came within four points of knocking off eventual state finalist Argyle in the quarterfinals. Ask anyone associated with the Leopards, and they'd tell you the biggest reason for the turnaround was the play of Freeman, who became an elite playmaker down the stretch. His athleticism has college coaches looking at Freeman as a defensive back, which should only bolster the L-E signal-caller's credentials at quarterback.