Without question, the hottest recruit in all of East Texas right now is Lagaryonn Carson. The big Liberty-Eylau 2017 defensive lineman collected his sixth and seventh offers -- all coming since last week -- on Thursday.

Carson (6-3, 261) was presented Division I FBS athletic scholarship offers from both Oklahoma and North Texas, according to the Liberty-Eylau coaching staff.

With two more offers to his name, Carson's list of options now includes Alabama, Baylor, North Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Texas A&M. There is speculation that Carson could also pick up an offer from TCU by the end of the week.

Carson is the younger cousin of Texas A&M running back Tra Carson and Baylor receiver Davion Hall, who are both former L-E football stars.

Liberty-Eylau defensive end LaGaryonn Carson (88) pressures Gilmer quarterback McLane Carter during a game last season in Tyler. (Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)
Liberty-Eylau defensive end LaGaryonn Carson (88) pressures Gilmer quarterback McLane Carter during a game last season in Tyler. (Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)
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Oklahoma has had success recruiting the East Texas area under longtime head coach Bob Stoops, who has signed former regional standouts Adrian Peterson (Palestine), Brandon Jones (Liberty-Eylau), Malcolm Kelly (Longview), Manuel Johnson (Gilmer), among others in his tenure with the Sooners.

Carson is the first East Texas recruit in the 2017 class with an offer from OU.

The Sooners, who won the 2000 BCS national championship, have recorded 10 or more wins 12 times in Stoops' 16 seasons in Norman. Oklahoma has seven Big 12 championships since 2000.

Oklahoma is coming off an 8-5 campaign in 2014, which included a 5-4 mark in conference play. The Sooners' season ended with a 40-6 loss to Clemson in the Russell Athletic Bowl on Dec. 29.

North Texas, which also offered Carson's Liberty-Eylau teammate, 2016 QB/ATH Ke'Mon Freeman on Thursday, has been incredibly active with its recruiting efforts in the East Texas region over the years, especially in recent cycles.

The Mean Green signed four players from the region in 2014 — Pine Tree quarterback Caleb Chumley, Carthage receivers Terian “Tee” Goree and O’Keeron Rutherford, Sulphur Springs running back Willy Ivery and Elkhart running back Jeffery Wilson.

If that weren’t enough, UNT added three more East Texans in February of this year: John Tyler receiver Rodney Bendy, Whitehouse defensive back Nate Brooks, and Marshall offensive lineman Chett Munden.

North Texas is coached by Dan McCarney, who will be entering his fifth season on the sidelines in Denton. After qualifying for a bowl game for the first time since 2004 following the 2013 season, UNT struggled to a 4-8 overall finish last year, which included a 2-6 performance in Conference USA.

Carson, who recorded 94 tackles and five sacks as a sophomore, will be one of several key impact players returning this season for Liberty-Eylau, which enjoyed a surprising run to the Class 4A Division I state quarterfinals a year ago.

In addition to Carson, L-E will welcome back Freeman, running back Lamont Byrd, receiver Thurman Morbley, linebacker DeMarcus Pegue, and FBS target Andre Wiley Jr. at the outside linebacker/safety.

Liberty-Eylau will open the 2015 season against defending 4A Division II state champion Gilmer on Aug. 28.

2017 East Texas Football Players With Division I FBS Offers

  • Lagaryonn Carson, DE, Liberty-Eylau, 6-3, 261 — offers from Alabama, Baylor, North Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M (7)
  • Montrell Estell, WR/S, Hooks, 6-2, 180 -- offers from Kansas, Texas Tech (2)
  • Octavius Evans, WR, Center, 6-1, 186 — offers from Louisiana Tech, Texas Tech (2)
  • Damion Miller, WR, John Tyler, 6-0, 189 — offers from Kansas, Texas Tech (2)
  • Major Tennison, TE, Bullard, 6-4, 220 — offer from Texas Tech (1)

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