No Place Like Home For Nacogdoches’ Jaylon Lane + Who could be next to offer?

Jaylon Lane made some big waves in West Texas at San Angelo's Central High School the past two seasons. Back home in Nacogdoches, the 6-2, 185-pound cornerback hopes his senior year is another one to remember and topped off with a lot of college football interest.

The once and new Dragon already has offers from Louisiana Tech, Mississippi and South Alabama, but he wants as many options as possible before making his life-changing decision.

Maybe East Texas and a very strong District 16-5A can help.

"My dad's job was the reason I played my first two varsity high school years there at San Angelo," Lane said. "Late in my junior season, in the last two games, the job decided they wanted him back on a job transfer in East Texas. The only openings were in Nacogdoches, Carthage and Lufkin. My dad was like, 'It's meant for us,' so we moved back home. We ended up being back in Nacogdoches."

The Dragons and the region as a whole aren't strangers to good football. There are already 14 other Class of 2015 East Texas players with Division I college options. That's before the summer camp season in June when in-state schools can visit the region as a full coaching staff and more offers historically come rolling in.

Lane expects he'll be able to continue improving now that he's back in his old hometown and wants be forged in the fires of a strong football district.

"I've played at Nacogdoches since my eighth grade year," Lane said. "It's one of the top districts in East Texas. Playing against teams in a new district like Lufkin, Ennis, John Tyler and Whitehouse, they're some tough teams. I'm really hyped up to play in the new district and just to prove to everybody I'm one of the best defensive backs. Me and Brandon (Jones).

"It's going to be a lot tougher in East Texas. A lot more difficult and a lot more talented. In West Texas, there was some competition in that area with Abilene High, Abilene Cooper and Midland Lee, but coming into this district there's nothing but talent. There's a lot of D-I players. I just want to come into this district and do the same thing I did in San Angelo. Just focus on the little things, play hard, and I'll be fine."

Solid Corsicana, Jacksonville and Lindale programs round out the district.

Lane recorded 46 tackles in the regular season at San Angelo Central last year and finished a 12-game season with five interceptions -- including two pick sixes -- and an average of 46 yards on five kickoff returns with a 108-yard touchdown.

He's a big, rangy corner who has picked up five pounds in weight since his return to Nacogdoches plus 90 pounds on the squat lift and 30 pounds on the power clean as well as the bench press. His film indicates a defensive back who can close in on receivers upon the ball's release from the quarterback, and he has good downfield vision when he picks the pass off.

Recruiting has started to heat up.

"I feel like people have stopped sleeping on me," Lane said. "From the beginning of recruiting, I feel like a lot of people have been sleeping on me. I feel like a lot of offers are being handed out to guys and I thought I should be offered too. But that's the thing that motivates me and keeps me going. People are starting to know my name and they're starting to hear about me. They're starting to wake up on me. It's all a blessing."

The typical trend for a college football prospect is a group of similar caliber schools follow the first program that presents an offer. Things compound from there.

Lane said several schools have asked for his transcript. Houston and Texas Tech might offer a scholarship once they see him in person this spring.

The best thing a rising senior can do prior to the season is to be proactive. Lane has that covered.

Your favorite Division I college could be seeing him soon.

"I'm going to try to hit up a Texas A&M camp for sure," Lane said. "I'm supposed to be invited to the Nike Camp. I know I'm going to go to a TCU camp. I'm going to as many camps as I can from the colleges that are hosting."

The corner's only current visit plan is to attend Louisiana Tech's junior day on March 15. A trip to Ole Miss also is in the works but has not been officially set.

There's a lot of time between now and National Signing Day. Foes can be friends as well.

"I feel like the new district will help me out to be a better player," Lane said. "Going up against some top receivers, that's what you always want to do. Match the best up against the best and see where you stand."

2015 East Texas Football Players With Division I FBS Offers

• Kris Boyd, ATH, Gilmer, 6-0, 180 — offers from Arkansas, Baylor, Cal, Florida State, Mississippi State, Missouri, Oklahoma, TCU, Texas, Texas Tech (10)
• Nate Brooks, DB, Whitehouse, 6-0, 150 — offers from Louisiana Tech, North Texas (2)
• Key’Vantanie “KeKe” Coutee, ATH, Lufkin, 5-10, 160 — offers from Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech (3)
• Justin Dunning, WR/S, Whitehouse, 6-4, 200 — committed to Texas A&M; additional offers from Arizona State, Baylor, Florida State, LSU, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas Tech, Vanderbilt (11)
• Brandon Durman, LB, Tyler Lee, 6-2, 210 – offer from Louisiana Tech (1)
• Roney Elam, CB/S, Newton, 6-2, 175 — offers from Alabama, Baylor, LSU, Mississippi State, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech (7)
• JaMycal Hasty, RB, Longview, 5-9, 181 — offers from Baylor, Houston, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech (7)
• Kevrin Justice, RB, Kilgore, 5-10, 175 — offer from Houston (1)
• Jaylon Lane, CB, Nacogdoches, 6-2, 175 — offers from Louisiana Tech, Ole Miss, South Alabama (3)
• Blake Lynch, QB/ATH, Troup, 6-3, 193 — committed to Baylor; additional offers from Clemson, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, TCU (6)
• Daylon Mack, DT, Gladewater, 6-1, 311 – committed to Texas A&M; additional offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Miami, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, SMU, Stanford, TCU, Texas, Texas Tech, USC (21)
• Terry Mark, WR, Lufkin, 6-1, 180 — offer from Houston (1)
• Erik McCoy, OL, Lufkin, 6-4, 297 — offer from Houston (1)
• Larry Pryor, S, Sulphur Springs, 6-1, 185 — committed to Texas A&M; additional offers from Arkansas, Baylor, LSU, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas, Texas Tech (10)
• Matthew Weeks, OT, Tyler Lee, 6-5, 260 — offer from SMU (1)