Henderson’s Keivie Rose Adds Offer From SMU

Keivie Rose still has a long way to go in his Henderson career, but colleges are already chomping at the bit to gain a commitment.

SMU entered the mix Thursday afternoon, the sophomore defensive end announced through his Twitter account. Tulane offered earlier in the day and Florida Atlantic reached out Wednesday.

Rose recorded 12 tackles last season, including two for loss. He also recovered two fumbles.

While his numbers don't pop out on the stat sheet, at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, colleges like where he is at the size standpoint so early in his career. With a lot of Henderson depth wiped off the board due to upcoming graduations, Rose should have a much larger role in future seasons.

Rose and the rest of the returning letter winners will represent a Henderson program that might have been the state's best to not win the Class 4A Division I title last season. District foe Carthage won the grand prize a few weeks after beating Henderson by two points in the third round of the postseason.

Henderson defeated Carthage during district play toward a 9-1 regular season record.

Rose marks the 10th local player SMU has taken an interest in as it works to build its 2018 and 2019 signing classes.

The Mustangs will begin the 2017 season with the goal of winning the American Athletic Conference title. Third-year head coach Chad Morris told ETSN.fm that he thinks the roster is finally at the point to chase the conference title when he visited Longview back in January.

SMU nearly made a bowl game last season. It had to win one of its two final games, lost both and closed the year with a 5-7 record.

Still, the 2016 season was a three-win improvement compared to Morris' first team in 2015 and a four-win improvement versus the 2014 Mustangs squad.

Six local players were on SMU's roster last season. Arp running back Kayce Medlock and Tyler Bishop Gorman receiver Judah Bell signed with the program in February.

Rose, like all college football prospects currently in their sophomore year of high school, will become eligible to sign with any program that offers him in December of 2018.

2019 East Texas Football Players With Division I FBS Offers

• Jade Ashalintubbi, Elysian Fields, OL, 6-6, 331 —offers from Tulsa, ULM (2)
• Chance Billington, John Tyler, OL, 6-4, 275 — offer from SMU (1)
• Keontae Burns, Pittsburg, WR, 6-3, 175 — offers from Iowa State, SMU, Southern Miss (3)
• Coltin Clack, Texas High, QB, 6-3, 215 -- offer from Florida Atlantic (1)
• Keivie Rose, Henderson, DE, 6-4, 220 — offers from Florida Atlantic, SMU, Tulane (3)