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Allen (Texas) High School defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike, left, celebrates with teammate Ryan Hinmon after making a tackle during a state semifinal game Dec. 13, 2014, in University Park, Texas.
DFW area alumni prepare for the NFL Draft
With the 2021 NFL draft upon us, the Dallas-Fort Worth area high schools prepare to celebrate more successes as a handful of area athletes are expected to be chosen to take their talents to the professional level. On the eve of NFL Draft Day, VYPE DFW takes a look at some of the DFW football alumni who are expected to be drafted this weekend.
Nick Bolton, Frisco Lone Star / Missouri
A three-star prospect coming out of high school, Bolton earned District MVP honors twice. As a senior, Bolton totaled 130 tackles (16 tackles for a loss) and five interceptions. His junior year, Bolton tallied 111 tackles (seven for a loss), three forced fumbles, and one interception. As a sophomore, Bolton recorded over 80 tackles with three interceptions and four sacks. The three-star athlete chose Missouri over the likes of Mississippi State, Boston College, Houston, Kansas, and more.
With Mizzou, Bolton posed as an absolute force against all of their opponents. As a true freshman, Bolton put on a show against then No. 1 Alabama with a career-best eight tackles as well as posting four tackles in Mizzou's bowl game against Oklahoma State. Bolton finished the 2020 season on the Butkus Award Watch List, Nagurski Trophy Watch List, and as an Athlon Sports Preseason First Team All-American.
Baron Browning, Kennedale / Ohio State
As a five-star prospect in his class, Browning chose Ohio State over all other offers. Coming out of high school, Browning was ranked as the No. 1 outside linebacker on both Rivals and 247Sports. In 2016, Browning helped lead Kennedale to an 11-4 season with an appearance in the UIL Class 4A state semifinals for the first time in school history. Browning was awarded first-team all-state honors with 74 tackles (eight for a loss) as a junior and again with 81 tackles (10 for a loss).
With the Buckeyes, Browning recorded 20 solo tackles with seven sacks. The 6-foot-3 athlete recorded at least one tackle in each game that he played and entered his senior season with over 80 tackles (15 for a loss). Browning was named to the 2020 Butkus Award Preseason Watch List.
Dayo Odeyingbo, Carrollton Ranchview / Vanderbilt
Odeyingbo finished high school as a four-star prospect. As a senior with Carrollton Ranchview, Odeyinbo recorded 47 tackles (20 for a loss), seven sacks, and three forced fumbles. As a track and football standout, Odeyingbo chose Vanderbilt over other offers.
With the Commodores, Odeyingbo lettered all four seasons with 44 games under his belt and 29 starts. In 2020, he was named to the All-SEC second team. Odeyingbo even recorded a touchdown on a three-yard fumble return against Middle Tennessee in 2018.
Levi Onwuzurike, Allen / Washington
As an Allen Eagle, Onwuzurike was listed as the no. 101 overall prospect in his class in the country and the No. 12 defensive end in the nation according to Scout. Onwuzurike earned Dallas Morning News' All-Area Defensive Player of the Year following his senior season as well as the District 6-6A Defensive MBP, first-team All-Collin County, and honorable mention all-state while helping Allen to a 14-1 overall record and the state semifinals. As a senior, he tallied 53 tackles (8.5 for a loss). Onwuzurike chose to take his talents to Washington.
As a standout defensive lineman with the Huskies, Onwuzurike was a force to be reckoned with against all of Washington's opponents. Redshirting his freshman season, he was able to get a start for the Washington in 2017 with a win over Rutgers. In his final season, Onwuzurike was named to the Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List, Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List, Chuck Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List, and the Lott IMPACT Trophy Preseason Watch List.
Saiid Paulson Adebo, Mansfield / Stanford
Adebo finished high school as a four-star recruit and was ranked as the nation's 18th best cornerback according to 247Sports. As a senior, Adebo notched 53 tackles, seven pass breakups, and three interceptions. As a junior, Adebo recorded 75 tackles, 12 pass breakups, and five interceptions on defense while bringing in 41 catches for 730 yards and 11 touchdowns. As a three-sport athlete, Adebo chose to play football at Stanford.
Although Adebo didn't see any action as a freshman, the 6-foot-1 cornerback showed out the rest of his seasons. As a sophomore, Adebo was No. 1 in the nation with 24 passes defended, 20 pass breakups, and four interceptions. As a junior, he was named to the All-Pac-12 first team by coaches and the All-Pac-12 second team by the Associated Press with 33 tackles, 10 pass breakups, and four interceptions. As a senior, Adebo was named to the Chuck Bednarik Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Kim Thorpe Award, and Lott IMPACT Trophy watch lists.
Bobby Brown, Arlington Lamar / Texas A&M
Coming out of high school as a four-star athlete, Brown was ranked as the No. 17 defensive tackle and No. 18 in Texas. He earned an honorable mention District 4-6A recognition after posting 40 tackles (six for a loss) and three sacks in 2017. Brown chose to take his talents to College Station where he stood out for the Aggies.
As a true freshman, Brown appeared in all 13 games totaling 14 tackles (one for a loss) and was named to the All-SEC Freshman Team. Through his time playing for Texas A&M, Brown continued to show his strength and enters the NFL Draft with great experience under his belt.
Carson Green, Southlake Carroll / Texas A&M
Green left high school as a three-star recruit. He was selected by the Associated Press as a first-team Class 6A all-state athlete after his performance in 2016 where he accounted for 81 knockdowns and allowed zero quarterback sacks. Green chose to take his talents to Texas A&M.
With the Aggies, Green made his first career start against Auburn as a true freshman. As a sophomore, Green helps the Aggies gain nearly 5,600 yards on the season while clearing the way for a pair of 100-yard rushers as a junior on multiple occasions. As a senior, Green was named to the All-SEC second team after logging 691 snaps at right tackle and serving as the team captain in seven games. Green also helped the Aggies tally 457 yards of total offense in a 41-27 victory over North Carolina in the Orange Bowl.
Kene Nwangwu, Frisco Heritage / Iowa State
As a three-star recruit, Nwangwu was a two-time all-district 9-5A selectee as well as a two-time team MVP for Frisco Heritage. As a senior, he rushed for 1,439 yards while tallying 17 touchdowns. Nwangwu recorded a career-long 94-yard scoring dash and also caught 15 passes for 150 yards. He was also a standout athlete in track and field winning the state title in 2016 in the high jump at 6-10. After setting a school record in the high jump (6-10), long jump (24-2.75), 100 meters (10.71), and 200 meters (22.0), Nwangwu chose to take his talents to the Iowa State football program.
As a freshman with the Cyclones, Nwangwu made a name for himself as one of the best kickoff returners in the nation. After sitting out with a medical redshirt in 2017, he returned in 2018 as strong as ever. During his final season with the Cyclones, Nwangqu showed out against the likes of TCU, Baylor, West Virginia, and more before being named as the Big-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
William Sherman, Allen / Colorado
Sherman helped lead the Allen Eagles to a state title during his undefeated sophomore season when he blocked for Kyler Murray against Cypress Ranch. As a junior and senior, Sherman helped lead the Eagles to the state semifinals. During his time with Allen, Sherman helped compile a 44-2 overall record before taking his talents to Colorado.
With Colorado, Sherman played in 24 games with 21 starts. On the offensive line, Sherman showed his strength against all of the Buffs' opponents recording some of the best marks on the team during his sophomore season with 67 knockdown blocks and 13 touchdown blocks.
Tylan Wallace, Fort Worth South Hills / Oklahoma State
Wallace left high school ranking among the top 15 players in Texas high school football history in terms of career receiving yards after finishing his high school career with 3,760 yards, 48 touchdowns and 182 receptions. As a senior, Wallace brought in 56 passes for 933 yards while also gaining 165 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries. As a four-star prospect and a standout athlete in baseball, track, and football, Wallace chose to play football for Oklahoma State over the likes of Oklahoma, Oregon, Missouri, Houston, SMU, and more.
With Oklahoma State, Wallace became one of the strongest receivers in college football. He ranked third among active FBS players with 2,512 career receiving yards and second with 20 career receiving touchdowns. Over the last two seasons, Wallace has 11 games with 100 or more receiving yards.
Milton Williams, Crowley / Louisiana Tech
At Crowley, Williams was a two-sport athlete lettering in football and basketball. He was named Defensive MVP in District 5A-Region II. Williams registered 300total tackles, 22 sacks, and scored four touchdowns before taking his talents to Louisiana Tech.
After redshirting his freshman season, Williams played in all 13 games of his sophomore season where ehe totaled 59 tackles (nine for a loss) and two fumble recoveries. During his sophomore season, Williams posted a career-high 10 tackles against Marshall. Through his time playing for Louisiana Tech, Williams earned multiple honors including Third Team All-American by Pro Football Focus, All-Conference US First Team, Phil Steele All-Conference USA First Team, and All-Conference USA Honorable Mention.
RECRUITING: St. Thomas' Kopp releases Top 5, includes University of Houston
HOUSTON - The Elite 11 changed everything for Maddox Kopp.
The day Kopp got the invite, he received offers from Tulane and Texas State. Then Wyoming offered. Then it was Ole Miss. Then Colorado.
The recruiting buzz around the St. Thomas senior quarterback was definitely going and it hasn't slowed, despite him being unable to do camps as he originally planned this summer prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I was planning on going on the camp circuit and getting my name out there, because I felt like I was under-recruited and I had worked my tail off during the offseason just to prepare for that," Kopp said. "The Elite 11 gave me a platform and an opportunity to show that I do belong in that group of quarterbacks.
"It happened real fast and I just took it all in as much as I could, while staying focused on the season."
On Wednesday, Kopp narrowed his list to a Top 5 - Houston, Tulane, Wyoming, Colorado and Ole Miss.
"It was important for me to do that list and make it public just so I can focus on the schools I want to go into detail on," Kopp said. "It was a tough decision but it needed to happen."
The Top 5 is a mix.
The University of Houston is the hometown choice, now led by former West Virginia coach Dana Holgerson. Ole Miss gives the SEC option, Colorado is in the Pac-12, while Wyoming and Tulane reside in the Mountain West and American Athletic Conferences, respectively.
When asked what he's examining the most in his ultimate decision, Kopp said it all comes down to fit.
"There's a lot of things but the biggest is my fit in the program and my ability to play and contribute early on in my career," he said. "But there's so many things that go into a decision like this."
‼️ Top 5 ‼️
Blessed to be in this position! Thank you to all the schools that have recruited me to this point. These are my top 5 schools moving forward. (recruitment still open) @STHFootball pic.twitter.com/FMwbpWfLIn
— Maddox Kopp (@maddox_kopp) August 5, 2020
Having a Division I prospect in the Kopp household is nothing new.
Oldest brother Braden (2016 Houston Christian graduate) just graduated from Vanderbilt, where he played football. Miller (2018 Houston Christian graduate) is currently at Northwestern and Anderson (2019 St. Thomas graduate) is at Lamar University, both of whom play basketball.
So, now it's Maddox's turn.
"I've talked to them, bouncing ideas off of them, seeing what they think," Maddox said. "It's really helpful for me. My parents [Will and Deborah] play a big role in this too, so having all of them to talk to and run my thoughts through is really good for me. [Their biggest advice] has been to take it all in, you only get to go through this process once and making the decision is really big but you have to have fun with it.
"You're recruited to play college football but you also have to go to school there. So, they've said make sure you look at every aspect and that's what I've done."