The McNabb Report: 7 Commits & Counting for Skyline

Skyline: Eight Commits and Counting

Skyline cornerback Adrian James committed to UTEP this week to give the highly regarded Raiders eight commits to major colleges. James just returned from a mid-June camp in El Paso. UTEP offered James during the spring evaluation period and has been recruiting him heavily since then.


"I liked the way they taught me and I learned new things," James said. "They had me working hard and I liked the atmosphere. It made me feel real good about the program."
UTEP is James’ only offer but strong spring and showing have other programs watching. Skyline, of course, is on everyone’s radar. Skyline has seven other college commits and linebacker Corey Nelson is among the nation’s top-rated uncommitted players and he’s narrowing his list to five including Texas A&M, Texas and Oklahoma.

A&M already has a commit from linebacker Domonique Patterson. Wide receiver Mike Davis is an LSU commit while Oklahoma has a commitment from receiver/defensive back Joe Powell. Michigan has a commitment from speedy running back /slot receiver Tony Drake. Skyline quarterback Javia Hall and lineman Graylan Hawkins have committed to North Texas. Houston has a commitment from defensive tackle Rodney Williams.

And the recruiting won’t end with this talented Class of 2010, linebacker Anthony Wallace started last season as a sophomore and already is rated one of the top players in the state for 2011 by theoldcoach.com.

Family Ties to Texas

A. Maceo Smith junior tight end/defensive end Chris Barnett is a rising star for the Class of 2011. He’s already well-known at Texas and has been on visits with his brother Eryon Barnett, who signed with the Longhorns in February after being the foundation of Euless Trinity’s recent state powers.

Barnett (6-5, 260) has already visited the campuses of Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma St., Kansas, and Baylor. He’s considering visits to Miami, Florida, Florida State, Tennessee, Oregon and USC. Barnett is considered a prospect at either position although if Barnett can play defensive end at those schools, that’s where he’ll play.


"To know a lot of schools are looking at you and they're interested, it makes you feel good,” Barnett said. “It makes you think you're worth something, but you've got to stay humble."



As a sophomore, Barnett played both tight end and defensive end. He had 11 catches for 135 yards and a touchdown. He totaled 71 tackles, nine behind the line and was the District 11-4A Sophomore of the Year as Smith finished with a 6-4 record but tiebreakers eliminated Smith from a playoff berth after finishing in a 3-way tie for third with a 4-3 district record.

Missouri Lands Coppell LB

Coppell’s Jared Parham made a solid commitment to Missouri this week after giving the Tigers a soft commitment in April. Parham, whose father attended Missouri, seemed to have committed to Missouri just before Coppell spring practices but backed off a solid commitment.

Parham (6-2, 220) is being recruited as a linebacker/defensive end prospect. Parham played linebacker for Coppell before injuries ended his season late last year. Parham has moved to defensive end for new Coppell coach Joe McBride in a 3-4 scheme.

If Parham can add weight and make the transition, Missouri will look at him as a defensive end. But Parham likely will be moved back to linebacker in college.

Parham had early offers from Missouri and Buffalo but had summer offers come in from Texas Tech, Arkansas and North Carolina. Parham also was interested in Texas A&M but the Aggies have already offered as many linebackers as it can take.