On the first day of the early signing period, some of the top Southeast Texas high school football players in the class of 2021 made it official on Wednesday morning and signed their letters of intent. Five players across four area high schools will be playing football at the collegiate level.
The early signing period will only last until Friday and any high school players who do not sign within this three-day window will have to wait until Feb. 3, 2021 to sign.
Here are the signed players from the first day of the early signing period:
Tyrone Brown, West Orange-Stark, Baylor University
The middle linebacker was one of the many standouts of this loaded Mustang defense that averaged only a touchdown to opposing offenses and shut out two teams in the process. Brown will be joining four other Houston-area signees and hopes to help bolster a rushing defense that ranks 81st in the FBS.
Ayden Bell, Silsbee, Lamar
The defensive lineman played nearly every single snap in every single game in all three phases of the game. Bell was the Tigers’ best player this season and earned a district MVP. Bell led the Tigers in total tackles (82), in sacks (6), was second in solo tackles (54) and first in tackles for a loss (19).
Bell chose the Cardinals over Northwestern State University (LA), Howard Paine University, The University of Texas Permian Basin and Air Force.
Jordon Thomas, Port Arthur Memorial, University of Texas
Thomas was one of the top pass rushers in Southeast Texas and has been committed to the Longhorns since earlier this year. He was on the cover of the Beaumont Enterprise’s Football Preview Magazine and helped the Titans achieve their first undefeated regular season in a tough district loaded with talent.
Thomas will surely help a Texas defense that failed to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks as the Longhorns rank 114 in passing yards allowed in the FBS.
Maleek Jones, Port Arthur Memorial, Tarleton State University
The senior wide out was a member of one the top offenses in Southeast Texas and helped the Titans average 33 points per game on offense this season. Jones also helped the Titans secure a district title and the program’s first ever undefeated season.
Jones only recently received his offer from Tarleton State — his first FCS offer.
Rollan Trent, Beaumont United, Texas Southern University
The senior defensive tackle helped the Timberwolves to the program’s first ever playoff berth and will be the first player to sign for a division I program under first-year head coach Marcus Graham. Trent will be joining the Tigers in Houston and will be competing in the Southwestern Athletic Conference next season.
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JaCorey Hyder, Woodville, University Texas San Antonio
The Eagles linebacker played both sides of the ball this season and helped Woodville to an 8-2 record.
Cameron Handy, West Brook, Texas Southern University
The offensive lineman is the second player from Beaumont ISD high school to be scooped up by Texas Southern head football coach Clarence McKinney in the early signing period. Handy and the Bruins are currently still in the playoffs and have an area round match up on Friday against Clear Falls.
Handy is member of the Bruins offensive line that has helped the West Brook rushing attack of quarterback Bryce Anderson and running backs JaMichael Foxall and Jordan Guidry to flourish this season.
jorge.ramos@beaumontenterprise.com
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