Recruiting Notebook: Next Level Athlete Houston Camp
Mont Belvieu, Texas – The Next Level Athlete Camp made a stop in the Houston area on Saturday attracting over 100 of the top prospects in the 2025 and 2026 classes.
The camp brought out more than 30 players with FBS offers already in hand, and a number of prospects that will be offered in January or throughout the spring evaluation period.
On3 provides the latest news on a number of recruitments from the camp.
Kaleb Burns has four Junior Day visits scheduled
Cy Falls High’s Kaleb Burns is one of the best, and most undervalued prospects in Texas in the 2025 cycle. The 6-foot, 215-pound linebacker checked in at Saturday’s camp with nine offers. Seven of those offers are from the Power 5 ranks.
The instinctive playmaker has a busy few weeks of Junior Day visits coming up starting on the January 20.
“I was supposed to go to Texas Tech this weekend, but I ended up coming to this camp,” Burns said Saturday. “On the 20th, I’m going to Houston. And I will be going to Baylor on the 28th. On February 4, I’m going to SMU.”
Burns also said a visit to Texas A&M January 27 is likely.
One Big 10 school is keeping in contact with Burns on a regular basis.
“I always keep in touch with Maryland, and SMU dropped the offer yesterday.”
He lists Texas A&M and LSU as two schools that could be next to offer.
Burns totaled 86 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, seven sacks and an interception in 2023 taking home district Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Dramodd Odoms has three Junior Day visits on tap
Houston Lamar High offensive tackle Dramodd Odoms was the most highly ranked prospect in the 2025 cycle in attendance Saturday. The No. 104 ranked prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking will begin two weekends of Junior Day visits January 20.
“On the 20th I’m going to be going to Texas,” Odoms said Saturday. “And I believe I’m going to be taking a trip to Texas A&M and Baylor. I’ve got to see what the schedule is looking like.”
Those visits would be January 27 to Texas A&M and the 28th to Baylor.
Odoms lists Texas, Texas A&M and LSU as the schools standing out the most among 15 offers.
Texas A&M on top for standout 2026 linebacker
Six-foot, 210-pound tackling machine Tai’Yion King is one of the top defensive prospects in the Lone Star State in the 2026 cycle.
The two-time all-district selection entered January with 14 offers with one school standing out.
“Aggieland. They treat you like family over there. I think I’m going up there on the 27th.”
King doesn’t have any other trips set up, but does have two schools in mind he would like to see up close.
“I’m thinking about going to Washington and Penn State (for visits).”
King’s offer list includes Texas A&M, Penn State, Missouri, Washington, Texas Tech, Arizona, Baylor, SMU and Houston.
Additional notes
Hightower High 4-star defensive back Kade Phillips has three Junior Day visits locked in. The 6-foot-1, 178-pounder will be at Texas January 20, Texas A&M January 27 and Baylor January 28. He also mentioned Florida as a possibility February 3. The Longhorns could be the next school to extend an offer next weekend.
Bryan Rudder High 2025 three-star athlete Jaquise Martin had a Junior Day invite from Texas Tech for January 13, along with recent communication with Texas A&M and Tulane. The 5-foot-11, 181-pounders offer list includes Texas Tech, Nebraska and Arkansas State.
Yoakum High 2026 wide receiver Xzavier Barnett is a likely attending Texas Junior Day January 20. Houston the the lone offer currently for the 6-foot-3, 180-pounder, but that list will grow a lot this spring. Texas, Mississippi State and Colorado State are the schools Barnett believes could be the next to offer. He lists Texas as his favorite school growing up.
Port Arthur Memorial 2026 versatile defensive back Brock King told On3 he has a visit scheduled to TCU March 5. The 5-foot-10.5, 170-pounder has eight offers currently, including Arizona State, Houston, Louisville and Baylor.