What to watch for Under the Lights

1. Manvel High School –

Of all the talent rich high schools in the state, Manvel High is poised to crank out a ton of Division I players over the next few years. There are more than a dozen players expected to sign with colleges in the next two years and a handful of them will be on campus Friday night. Manvel players expected to attend the camp include: William Lockett (DB – 2015), Gary Haynes Jr. (WR – 2015), Deontay Anderson (DB – 2016), D’Eriq King (Ath – 2016), Jordan Carmouche (LB – 2016), and Reggie Hemphill (WR – 2016). See below for more on Lockett.

For clues on how the coaching staff views this bunch, pay attention to what happens tonight. Signing day 2016 seems like the distant future, but as fans have seen with this year’s class, it’s a priority to start building relationships early in the recruiting process.

2. Boyd Brothers –

Gilmer’s Kris Boyd is a top flight 2015 cornerback. His brother, DeMarco, is an intriguing 2016 RB/LB prospect that is still growing. Kris has been vocal about what team he’s liking and it’s changed often enough that reporters at A&M, Texas and FSU all think their school leads.

The Boyds recently announced that they intend to play at the same school. Since FSU is the only school to offer both kids, the ‘Noles vaulted up their list of favorites. Both kids will be at tonight’s camp, and if UT offers DeMarco a scholarship, it will likely reshuffle the brothers’ favorites. An on-the-spot commitment from Kris isn’t likely, so the camp is more about the Horns positioning themselves before the official visit season.

Kris Boyd tweeting at Manvel’s Deontay Anderson about the Under the Lights camp…

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

3. Kai Locksley –

A 4-star dual threat quarterback from Baltimore, MD has narrowed his choices down to Texas, FSU and Maryland. Locksley has already visited Maryland multiple times (his Dad is an assistant for the Terps) and he tripped to FSU earlier this week. Although he plans to announce his college choice during the first game of the season, Locksley has admitted that he will probably be a silent commit long before that announcement.

Typically a recruiting battle against the defending national champ and the recruit’s home state school doesn’t end well for a third school, but Charlie Strong and Locksley’s father worked together while Strong coached at UF and the two are reportedly close. If Kai and his Dad decide it’s in his best interest to play somewhere other than Maryland, then the Horns are in excellent shape.

4. Holton Hill –

Lamar High’s star cornerback has already been to Alabama, FSU and LSU for visits. A four star, a Top 20 player in the state, and a top 30 corner in the nation, Hill is a player that many have pegged as Texas’ best shot at one of the state’s elite defensive backs. In fact, Hill has been named as a potential for a commitment for the past month (both 247 and Rivals list him as 60-70% to Texas). If you’re looking for a highly regarded in-state name that could pull the trigger on Friday night, remember Hill’s name.

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

5. William Lockett –

A 2015 recruit that could be represent a pipeline into the talent pool at Manvel HS. Texas hasn’t offered yet, but several other schools have (including UCLA, Michigan State and Missouri). Lockett is a 3-star DB that stands just under 6-feet tall and weighs 186 pounds. The temptation to think of Lockett as a gateway to other Manvel players is obvious, but he’ll be judged at Friday night’s camp as an individual prospect. Lockett is a solid prospect in his own right and the Texas coaching staff wants to see his skills in-person before they decide on an offer. If Vance Bedford is impressed enough to extend an offer, Lockett instantly becomes a player that could leave town as a commitment. If that happens, then fans can start daydreaming about a Manvel pipeline…