Nacogdoches’ Jacob Bragg Talks Tough Opponents and Recruiting

Three games into his junior season, Jacob Bragg has almost seen it all.

The 6-foot-3, 300-pound Nacogdoches center has faced three of the best defensive lines in East Texas during the Dragons' first three games: Henderson, Lufkin, and Carthage.

"It's good to get that experience, but it just takes a toll on you," said Bragg, who could be one of the top recruits in East Texas in 2014. "There's pretty much nothing I'm not prepared for anymore. We've pretty much played the best in East Texas."

Bragg has seen a murderer's row of defensive fronts.

Henderson's defensive line features senior end Bo Brady (6-0, 195), who had 17 sacks last season and has four so far in 2012. The Lions have an East Texas-leading 22 sacks in four games. The Lufkin defensive front includes senior end Demontrai Lewis (6-3, 215), who had eight sacks in 2011, and junior tackle D.J. Williams (6-3, 285).

Carthage's starting front four has accounted for a staggering 42 tackles for loss in four games, led by 6-foot-2, 315-pound senior tackle Isaiah Golden, who has 17 tackles for loss in four contests and is committed to Texas A&M.

"I saw (Golden) on tape and it looked like the bull rush was his game, but he was really quick when he wanted to be," Bragg said. "He was real light on his feet to be that heavy. ... He was good.

"As far as the offensive line goes, we're just getting better and better each day. Now that we've been up against great team after great team after great team, we should be comfortable with the level of talent we play the rest of the year. We'll win some games this year, for sure."

Bragg was a busy man during the summer attending college camps, including Baylor, Houston, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU, and Texas A&M. He has yet to receive an offer, but he's been getting a ton of mail and expects the action to pick up as his junior year progresses.

"I'm getting at least six letters a day at the house and maybe two at the high school," he said.

Alabama, Arizona State, LSU, Oklahoma, TCU, and Texas A&M are among the schools corresponding with Bragg via mail. Bragg said he likes TCU, as well as Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.

One big factor for Bragg, who does not care about conference affiliation, in his search for a school is success on the field.

"I'm looking for somewhere I can win. That's my No. 1 goal right now," Bragg said. "Second, if it's close to home so my parents can come see me if they want. I'm just looking for a good family place where the team bonds well and the coaches are great guys."

The string of tough opposing defensive linemen won't stop Friday, when Nacogdoches (0-3) faces Hallsville (3-1) and senior end Coby Bradford (6-1, 205), who leads East Texas with 7 1/2 sacks. The Dragons also face John Tyler and senior end Tyus Bowser (6-2, 215) on Nov. 2 in Nacogdoches.

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Categories: Class 4A, Football, News, Recruiting