Texas offers Manvel blue chip

Recruiting fans know that Manvel High School is loaded with Division I prospects, so much so that the Houston-area school is churning out college-ready athletes like it’s a degree plan. The high school is now commonly called “Manvel U”, and the latest Maverick to become a household name is 2017 safety Derrick Tucker. Tucker debuted at number seven on the HornSports 2017 Top 50, and the Longhorns recently extended an offer to the physically imposing defensive back. HornSports caught up with Tucker to talk about the offer and Manvel’s campaign for a state championship in 2015.

After a slide into mediocrity, the Texas program has lost some of the shine it had during the prime of the Mack Brown era. But Tucker says an offer from Texas still has clout, “It’s a dream come true. Texas is one of the schools I have always wanted to go to and now I have the opportunity.” Tucker also said he’s wide open in his recruitment and exploring his options.

With a nickname of DBU, historically Texas produces a strong crop of players from the defensive backfield. Tucker is aware of that, but says that’s not the main thing that would draw him to Austin, “I mean it’s Texas. There’s no place like home. I’ve been to about thirteen colleges but there’s no place like home.”

One thing that does appeal to Tucker is the coaching staff in place, “The coaching staff is cool. I like that all of them treat me as if I go there already. They are all nice guys.”

The Longhorns currently hold a commitment from Tucker’s teammate Reggie Hemphill – in fact, the talented receiver is one of the program’s biggest recruiters. We asked Tucker if Hemphill is doing any work on him, “He puts a bug in my ear every once in a while.”

Hemphill and Tucker are part of a talented core of players trying to lead Manvel to a state championship this year. As it turns out Tucker is quite confident of the Mavericks’ chances, “Manvel will win it all this year. We’re the best we have ever been and we have a lot of experience this time around.”

Tucker invites fans to come to Manvel on a Friday night and “see the show.” As Manvel works towards a State Championship, the Longhorns will vie for yet another star from the Manvel pipeline.