Texas Takeaways from the Under Armour All-America Game
What I saw from the Texas Longhorns signees at the Under Armour All-America Game.
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RB, Cedric Baxter, Orlando Edgewater
Started the game for his team. Scored the game’s first touchdown. Bigger back who is a one-cut and go inside or outside runner. Broke a couple of tackles and made some yards after contact. Totally different back than Bijan Robinson so don’t expect a carbon copy in that regard. Seemingly good vision though not enough reps to truly tell. He was as impressive as any RB in the game. Has a chance to be a truly big back with home run ability.
CB, Malik Muhammad, Dallas South Oak Cliff
Going into this game, I wondered whether Muhammad would keep up downfield with elite receivers. It’s a tough ask for corners forced solely into man coverage. Plus, I often worry about defensive backs who play on talented high school defenses because so often they get the benefit of a superior pass rush. But Muhammad eliminated all of those concerns for me yesterday. Very smooth. Long armed. Breaks on the ball well. Runs well enough. Plays smart. I don’t know that he’s a first-round corner but he’s a future starter for the Horns if he stays healthy and gains strength through normal conditioning.
S, Derek Williams, New Iberia (La.) Westgate
My first thought was this: he can’t be a safety because he’s too big to move well enough. But then he started playing. Hyper athletic for his size. Rangy. Willing tackler. Great feet. Made an INT on a twice-deflected pass. Changes directions well for someone his size. If Williams can handle the intricacies of playing in the secondary, he is a future all-conference or higher level of prospect. He looks very similar to DeMarvion Overshown coming out of high school. But Williams is a more natural safety who I think sees the field better than Overshown did at the position.
WR, Johntay Cook II, DeSoto
Frankly, we saw very little of Cook in the game. His team’s offense – even though they won the game – was reduced to quick outs and bubble screens in the passing game and featured USC-bound Zachariah Branch in that role. While I was encouraged by some of what I saw in practice clips from Cook, I just didn’t see much in the game. I’d have to give an incomplete grade.
DL, Sydir Mitchell, Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic
He is enormous. Did not start for his team but rotated a lot. He anchored extremely well against the run, including double teams. He will immediately anchor the middle better than some existing Texas defensive tackles. Good effort when ball went away from him. Would have had a tackle for loss but let a running back run through an arm tackle. Not a smooth athlete but naturally strong and quick with really good effort. Future starter.
**
OU-bound quarterback Jackson Arnold was the game’s best quarterback. But he’s a better runner than thrower at this point. Reminds me a lot of Sam Ehlinger, clearly a leader and a guy who is willing to do whatever it takes to move the football.
However, I have to add this. That may have been the worst collection of QBs I’ve seen at a national level high school all-star game. They may turn out better than they looked on Tuesday afternoon, but a couple of them had the deer in the headlights look from snap one, and weren’t athletic or poised enough to do anything about it.
