Mike Roach
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Photo Credit: Dawgnation.com
Texas has picked up some recruiting momentum over the last few weeks despite losses on the field and some turmoil within the program. After losing Navasota (TX) wide receiver Tren'Davian Dickson to Baylor, Texas landed a makeup prospect when Temple (TX) speed demon Davion Curtis announced his commitment to the Longhorns on Thursday. The former Georgia Bulldog commit labeled Texas his dream school, and jumped on the chance to become a Longhorn when the offer was extended. Curtis chose Texas over offers from Georgia, Kansas State, Oregon State, Houston, SMU, and Wisconsin. Curtis shares a similar story to 2-star Trevone Boykin and 3-star Shawn Oakman, who both received attention, but not on par with their true worth. To him, though, all that matters is competing. He is a highly competitive player who is focused on coming in to turn heads in his Senior season, and not really creating too much drama in his recruiting process. Curtis had already received an offer for a partial scholarship from the Longhorns track team. He was considering taking the track scholarship and walking on to the Texas football team, just like Marquis Goodwin. He finally got the full attention of Strong and the chance to become a scholarship athlete for the Longhorns’ football team when he was offered in mid-November. Now he gets to play football and run track for his dream school.
Film Analysis
If you are on defense, do not get parallel with Davion. If you do get into a foot race with this track star not only will he burn you with his speed, but he is also dangerous with his swift, clean route running. This long limbed 6 foot 180lb speedster runs a 4.38/40 and a 10.4/100M and is a guy who can outrun a ball that any quarterback throws. On top of this he has very good quickness off the line at the snap of the ball and he’ll go from 0 to 60 in full pads in a heartbeat. He uses his speed to create separation from his defenders making him a very dangerous vertical threat. He shows great short area burst and quickness and transitions smoothly like the sprinter he is. Curtis tracks the ball well in the air and shows the ability to make contested catches with a very nice set of hands. After the catch his speed is on display along with his change of direction skills as he shows the ability to make quick jukes and elude defenders in the open field. He can line up wide or in the slot, and is a threat on jet sweeps and kick returns. His elite speed gives him the ability to take a screen the distance from any spot on the field. One thing he lacks is crisp cuts on some of his routes. They are still pretty good, but like most high school receivers there is room for improvement. He is able to high point a ball and jump to catch the ball over the head of defenders and has put this skill out on display many different times. He also has very good size for a slot receiver, and better speed than anyone the Longhorns are currently recruiting at the position. He will also need to improve downfield blocking once he gets to campus, but he shows that he is a high effort player who should have no problem with that.
Final Verdict
As I said above, I think Davion Curtis has been overlooked by the recruiting services. Even though Curtis was gained at the loss of Tren’Davian Dickson, I think Curtis will more than make up for it with his incredible work ethic and his track speed which is something the Longhorns currently do not have in their 2016 recruiting class. This also benefits the track coaches because they have now saved a partial scholarship. The commitment of Curtis also helps with Beaumont Central running back Devwah Whaley and 2017 Temple defensive end Taquon Graham. Overall, Curtis shows a set of tools that could be featured in a wide open offense if Texas chooses to go that direction. His ceiling at this point is probably that of a multi year starter who's speed will play up at the next level.
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