247Sports’ weekly rankings notes feature a tandem of new four-star prospects in the Lone Star State, which provides the majority of Friday’s dozen noteworthy updates. In fact, eight of the 12 updates below include players from Texas.
Nevertheless, players from Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri also occupy spots in this update. A couple of Big 12-bound commitments, including one of the new four-star prospects, find themselves in today’s feature as previously-rated players who are rising at their respective positions. Among the new initial ratings featured, defensive backs and offensive line occupy several of those spots below. Here’s this week’s rundown, headlined by one of Texas’ top offensive line prospects.
Following continued review of the offensive line board 247Sports’ national scouting team decided to get Lindale (Texas) standout Casey Poe, previously the highest three-star rating of 89, up to a four-star 90 grade relative to the rest of the IOL board. The 2024 cycle is strong at OT and IOL in Texas, which features 15 offensive linemen (all with 87 ratings or higher) in the 247Sports Texas Top 100.
A significant contributor to Poe’s jump to four-star territory: a second consecutive strong track and field season. He won the 2022 Texas Class 4A shot put championship (57-4.5) as a sophomore, then produced a bushel of throws north of 50 feet this spring, including a third-place finish at regionals a season-best 56-9.5. Poe, who threw a couple of 130+ discus reps for good measure, shows corresponding point-of-attack power and block-finishing strength likely aided by his throws participation. Poe has officially visited Georgia and reportedly will take upcoming officials to Clemson, Auburn, Alabama, and Oklahoma.
Aledo (Texas) quarterback and TCU pledge Hauss Hejny continues his rise on the 247Sports quarterback board. An initial high three-star 87, Hejny jumped to the highest three-star grade of 89 this spring, and now ascends to a four-star 90 grade. Hejny’s fall season, elite athleticism relative to the quarterback position, multi-sport profile, and multiple live performances this offseason fuel his four-star ascension.
Generally speaking, a 90+ grade puts a player in long-term NFL Draft orbit, and it’s true that you can count the number of QB draftees shorter than 6 feet on one hand in the past eight years (of about 100 total QBs selected, no less). But Hejny’s rare athleticism — a handful of 100-meter times between 10.68 and 10.96, plus verified sub-4.5 40-yard speed — at the QB position warranted consideration for continuing to push Hejny higher up the QB board. Hejny combines that athletic juice with his natural playmaking prowess, production, and excellent performances in front of 247Sports staffers this spring. Hejny should fit well in TCU’s system, which will likely take advantage of his multi-faceted playmaking ability.
Jumping into the 247Sports rankings with the highest three-star rating of 89, Devon Jordan out of Tulsa (Okla.) Union is a cornerback to know, and his recruitment has really taken off of late. In the 5-foot-11, 170-pound range, Jordan owns impressive length relative to his size and the requisite multi-sport participation and speed markers to bolster what we see on the field. Jordan finished fifth at the Oklahoma Class 6A 100-meter finals with a 10.91, which followed regional performances of 10.71 (wind-aided) and 21.93 in the 100 and 200, respectively.
Jordan combines those valuable data points with three-phase participation on the gridiron, where he shows encouraging movement skills regardless of assignment. He recently eclipse a dozen offers, including Oklahoma, TCU, Vanderbilt, Miami, Missouri, Alabama, and Texas A&M in the past two months.
Bryan (Texas) standout Tyson Turner makes plays in all three phases and possesses an envious track and field profile as well. Approaching 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, Turner owns ample snaps at receiver and safety, as well as in the return game. Debuting as a high three-star 88 on 247Sports, Turner placed third earlier this month in the Texas Class 6A high jump finals with a 6-6, which followed a regional championship-winning 6-10 personal record. Turner also ran a 15.23 110-meter hurdles and qualified for regionals in the 300-meter hurdles (39.35 PR) this spring.
Turner, who has also tested well in a combine setting, is a big-framed athlete who could play receiver or safety in college, though I’m admittedly more intrigued in his upside on the defensive side of the ball. Turner plans to officially visit Boston College in early June. Texas Tech offered Turner in Aug. 2022, while schools such as Utah, Tulane, UTSA, North Texas, Texas State, Louisiana Tech, and Arkansas State have followed since mid-March.
Conroe (Texas) cornerback Devondre McGee debuts on 247Sports with a high three-star 88 rating thanks to his athletic profile and what he showed as a junior. Owner of wind-legal 10.91- and 10.96-second 100-meter times this spring, McGee recorded 38 tackles, one interception, 12 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery — returned 69 yards for a touchdowns — during his Fall 2022 campaign. McGee, who also blocked two kicks, appears to own a plus frame with unverified size in the 6-foot-1, 180-pound range. McGee’s frame and athleticism could translate to multiple spots in the secondary and provide roster value wherever he lands. Ole Miss offered March 31, while SMU, Memphis, Texas State, and most recently Texas A&M have offered McGee in May.
We featured Joplin (Mo.) running back Quin Renfro in a recent rankings notes package and head back to JHS to move teammate Dontrell Holt, a potentially position versatile offensive lineman, significantly higher from a three-star 84 rating to a high three-star 87 and an interior O-line projection. Holt’s solid junior tape was clearly enough to catch Iowa State’s eyes, and this offseason, the 6-foot-4 1/2, 295-pounder measured larger than expected and with better length than initially thought as well. Those attributes suggest Holt can play tackle, but his heavy-handed power and impact-blocking ability will translate regardless of alignment, and he’s gotten ample guard reps for his Joplin squad.
Stephenville (Texas) 2024 offensive lineman Creece Brister should have more offers — plain and simple. Brister, a sophomore on Stephenville’s 2021 Texas Class 4A Division I state championship team, assembled a solid junior campaign this past fall, then impressed in an elite camp setting and destroyed track and field season. What exactly does that mean? Well, hitting 59 feet in the shot put and 168 feet in the discus qualifies. Brister’s 58-foot, 1/2-inch throw earlier this month won the Texas Class 4A shot put gold, while his 168-3 discus earned silver in 4A.
A 6-foot-4, 295-pounder, Brister — who debuts as a high three-star 87 on 247Sports — wears his mass well and his length should allow for more bulk as needed. He’s a physical run blocker who plays to his measurements, and those attributes on paper suggest potential position versatility thanks to his length. Air Force and FCS-level Tarleton State and Lamar offered Brister since the beginning of March. More schools should definitely join the party.
Keep an eye on Plano (Texas) East 2024 quarterback Drew Devillier, a longtime TCU baseball commitment (since Aug. 2021) who put together a sneaky good junior football season and recently caught our attention on the spring camp circuit. Listed at 6-foot-5, 210 pounds, Devillier possesses corresponding arm strength on downfield throws. His baseball experience manifests in his quick three-quarters delivery, and he shows pocket-climbing awareness when necessary.
Devillier threw for 2,210 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions on a 66.4 completion percentage in 10 games in Fall 2022. Devillier remains committed to TCU for hardball, but owns the physical tools and developmental upside to become a late-cycle riser for football programs. A new three-star 85 on 247Sports, Devillier possesses traits that could warrant a rise as the stretch run of the cycle approaches. Pitt offered in Oct. 2022, while in-state programs Rice and North Texas offered earlier in May.
The state of Texas seems particularly deep at the offensive line positions this cycle, and Denton High’s Hayden Gunter has emerged as one of the recent risers among that group. A legitimate 6-foot-6 and around 255 pounds, Gunter owns a good frame with ample bulking capacity. He primarily played right tackle in Fall 2022 and showed drive-blocking conviction and above average movement ability. Gunter, a new three-star 85 on 247Sports, enhances his athletic profile with basketball participation, playing 27 games during his Winter 2022-23 junior season. He’s also gotten limited track and field reps earlier in high school. Since mid-March, Gunter has reported the following offers in chronological order: Texas Tech, Vanderbilt, Duke, Utah State, Memphis, TCU, SMU, and Kansas.
Lucas (Texas) Lovejoy 2024 tight end Ridge Barker brings a layered athletic profile and two-way on-field experience to the table. A new three-star 85 on 247Sports, Barker has seen his stock rise on the recruiting trail this offseason as he recently hit double-digit offers. Barker’s pass-catching opportunities were limited in Fall 2022, his first season at Lovejoy after moving from Wimberley (Texas). Nevertheless, he snagged five passes for 88 yards and two touchdowns and provided consistent blocking ability, whether attached or moved around as an H. Barker owns basketball and track and field experience as well, including sophomore throws of 41-0 in the shot put and 127-10 in the discus in Spring 2022. Memphis, Rice, Washington State, Tulane, and Georgia Tech have offered in May.
Paving the way for a 2,800-yard rusher (more on that below), Vinny Winters helped his Malvern (Ark.) squad to a 12-2 record and the Arkansas Class 4A state title in 2022. Winters played left tackle during Malvern’s playoff run, showing consistently good pad level and regularly winning with leverage. He keeps his foot moving upon contact and flashes some block-finishing strength from time to time. We’re still gathering information on Winters, who also has gotten some valuable if limited defensive snaps, but he seems to be the type of offensive lineman who could potentially provide roster value and position flex.
A new three-star 85 on 247Sports, Winters recently hit double-digit offers with a run of FCS schools in the past month. He originally reported an Arkansas offer in Feb. 2021, and the Razorbacks have gotten the lone 247Sports Crystal Ball forecast for Winters. He unofficially visited Kansas State, Memphis, and Arkansas State, all of which have offered, in March and April.
One of the most productive backs in the country’s 2024 recruiting class, Jalen Dupree spearheaded Malvern (Ark.) High’s 12-2 run to the Arkansas Class 4A state championship this past fall. Dupree, a stout back with a powerful style, ran for more than 2,800 yards and a whopping 41 touchdowns on 9.4 yards per carry in 2022, when he added 15 catches for 343 yards and five scores and also got some defensive action (19 tackles, two sacks, one interception, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery).
Dupree, who also plays basketball, looks the part of a change-of-pace back to couple with a smaller, speedier colleague — the thunder in a “thunder and lightning” tandem, as the saying suggests. A new three-star 84 on 247Sports, Dupree reports almost 20 Division I offers, including Power Five schools Kansas State, Boston College, and Purdue, plus additional FBS offers from programs such as Arkansas State, Colorado State, Liberty, and Tulsa, among others.