The Top 50 East Texas College Players of 2024

The great thing about composing the Top 100 List each year is that you have a database full of great players that go on to play college football. A couple of clicks, about 12 hours of research, and I came up with the 50 Best East Texas College Players of 2024. It's a tough task, and I'm sure I left some Bonafede ballers off this list, but here's an honest crack at it.

Redshirt freshman Kollin Lewis played throughout the season until a shoulder injury sidelined him. A reserve corner, Lewis made his mark on special teams, and with graduating seniors in the program, it'll be interesting to see him compete for a more prominent role.

Pierce ran through defenses at running back as a senior at Troup, but is learning to run through ball carriers at Kilgore. The freshman started the year off slow but made 21 of his 28 tackles during conference play for the Rangers.

The speedster from Jefferson initially signed with McNeese State, but transferred down to Kilgore after one season. McMullen is super fast and made the most of his conference carries, toting the rock 36 times for 198 yards in those games.

The redshirt freshman was a primary special teams player for UTSA and saw minimal burn for the Roadrunners in 2024. Fortunately for him, he got his opportunity to shine in the bowl game, catching a pick on a fake punt. Rodgers physically has room to grow and it'll be interesting to see where he is after this spring.

Burris was a solid reserve defensive tackle for the Hoosiers this year. Burris averaged 1.3 tackles a game, making a contribution every game in the BIG conference. Indiana shocked the world with one of the best turnarounds in CFB history, finishing 11-2 on the year. 

Jaylon Shelton was a quarterback during his time at West Rusk, but now he's a thriving cornerback at UTEP. Shelton had a solid, productive year for the Miners, making 26 tackles and 3 pass break ups.

Smallwood was a menace for Lufkin back in 2020, and after a couple years at SFA, he transferred down to Kilgore. In 2024, Smallwood put together a good stat line sacking the qb 5 times and amassing 44 tackles. 

 

Devyn Gibbs from Mabank, Texas is a 5th year senior at Lamar, and despite his low production in the passing game, Gibbs was a key part of the Cardinal's attack. Gibbs finished his career starting the last 24 games of his career.

JJ Sparkman transferred to UTSA for his final season of college football after spending 4 years at Texas Tech. Things didn't really come together for Sparkman at UTSA, but in his opportunity to play he was productive. He sprinkled in his catches across 5 games, as a backup receiver.

Adkins left Kilgore in 2021, and after 2 seasons at Sam Houston, he transferred down to Southern Arkansas to be an every down DB. This past season Adkins had 43 tackles, 8 for loss and forced a fumble for the Muleriders. 

Trevion Sneed finished his high school career with a top 5 finish on the Spence and Co Top 100 list, started his college career off at SMU. He transferred to Northwestern State after a year at SMU where he balled. Unfortunately, Northwestern State didn't finish last season, and again Sneed had to transfer. This time he landed at SFA where he was a reserve defensive end. He made 18 tackles and had 3 QB hurries.

Jaymond Jackson made my initial list in 2020 when Lindale made their special run to the State Title game. He's been a 3 year starter at Lamar University, and finished his solid career with a 34 tackle and 3 sack performance.

Will Henderson was a standout in 2023, leading the Gilmer Buckeyes to a State Championship victory. in 2024, he rarely got opportunities to tote the rock, but in the Bowl Game he left his mark. He rushed for 94 yards and caught 16 more, and even had a long jet sweep touchdown that was called back. 

As a junior, DJ Allen made the first Top 100 list at spot 3. His senior year he moved to quarterback before moving on to TCU. After a couple of years of injuries, he transferred to UTSA. Allen was a starter this year, but unfortunately his season was cut short to injury again. 

Run DMC. McFall is one of the fastest players from East Texas and a 2 time member of the Top 100 lists. His first season at SMU, McFall sprinkled in through 5 games, ran 26 times for 102 yards and 2 TDs. I can't wait to see what his sophomore season will look like with a more involved role.

Kedren Young redshirted in 2024, but saw opportunities against Purdue, Stanford and Navy, rushing 21 times for 116 yards and 1 TD. That's would be a helluva one game stat line, proving that Young is just biding his time before taking over in Indiana. 

Redshirt freshman from Pleasant Grove Vic Shaw saw his first action this year as a rotational player and produced. 21 tackles is solid production, but people are excited about the 2.5 sacks that he received in limited playtime. A solid first year to build on for Shaw.

The Senior from Longview was a baller in 2018 and 19 for Longview. He signed with Texas where he played defensive line for a couple of years before being moved to the OL. After graduating SGW transferred to Coastal Carolina where he got the chance to play nose. He had a hella productive year, managing 32 tackles and 1 for loss.

Rohan Fluellen was a 3 time member of the list, hitting #4 as a junior in 2021. Fluellen went to TCU initially out of his high school, but transferred close to home to see first on field action in 2024. Fluellen produced 22 catches for 221 yards and 2 TDS for the Lumberjacks.

Redshirt freshman Jordan Renaud was a rotational player for the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2024. He produced 21 tackles and 2.5 sacks. His potential is through the roof due to his rare combination of size, power, speed and explosion. 

Dixon's career started out at the University of Texas, but the last two seasons he emerged as a trusty receiver for Preston Stone and Kevin Jennings. He went for almost 400 yards this season after a similar number in 2023. Moochie is currently preparing for an opportunity to play in the NFL this upcoming season.

J'Koby is one of a few true freshman running backs that got an opportunity to show their worth in 2024. Williams emerged as a runner late for Texas Tech, and is viewed as a valuable member returning to that running back room in 2025.

Jackson showed fans of the Purple what was to come after a decent first year on campus. Jackson made big plays in his few moments. Those plays are the kind that make people excited about you and anxious to see you become the next All-American. 

After 4 years on campus Rawls entered the transfer portal after a 23 tackles and interception performance. Lyrik's playtime has increased over the seasons and after a decent 2024, he's ready to have his grand finale as a starter somewhere else.

Taylor's freshman seasons were full of ups and downs, from starts and big production to injuries and fumbles. Through it all Taylor totaled 319 yards and 3 TDS in 2024 in his opening season for the Oklahoma Sooners.

Garrett enrolled into Tulsa last January and it paid dividends for him last fall. Garrett's a smart player with great tackling ability. He started a few games due to injury for Tulsa and looking to gain weight and help the Wave in the box in 2025.

After a couple of reserve years at UNT, Nacogdoches's Dillion Williams transferred to West Texas to UTEP. At UTEP, Williams got an opportunity to be productive where he amassed 34 tackles and an interception for the Miners. It's been reported he has entered the transfer portal this offseason. 

Makenzie McGill lit up East Texas at Mount Vernon, and as a walk on had a similar impact for the Mean Green in 2024. McGill rushed for 470 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024 for North Texas. His shiftiness and bounce ability translated and his impact was felt.

Gilmer's Luke Watson had a big senior year back in 2020, and in 2024 he was a solid producer for the Lumberjacks. Watson had 31 tackles, 2 interceptions, and one was returned for a pick 6. 

Ligon is a completely different player from the defensive end/tight end that left Tyler, Texas. Now a linebacker, Ligon flew around the field for the Road Runners in 2024. He finished with 46 tackles, 6.5 for loss, 3 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. 

2 year starter CJ Fite helped lead a fiesty Arizona State Sun Devil team to a CFP berth and a thriller against Texas this year. Fite is a hold the point type nose with incredible strength. He's rarely moved off the ball and has the athleticism to make tackles up and down the line of scrimmage. 

Clayton topped the first Top 100 list back in 2020, and first landed in Oklahoma. After a couple of seasons he transferred over to Arizona State where he's been getting active. In 2024, Smith racked up 4.5 sacks and 33 tackles. 

Everyone was anxious to see what would happen with the number 1 athlete in the nation when he got to Texas A&M. Initially it was reported that Bussey would be a cornerback, but from the beginning of the year the Aggies tried to get the ball into Bussey's hands. He was the team's kick returner on top of playing running back and receiver for the Aggies. Bussey totaled 318 yards rushing and receiving and scored twice in 2024.

Legacy's Elliot Davison started out at UIW and played his way to the bigger stage at UTSA. Davison was a key addition to the box and stopping opponent's run game totaling 58 tackles in 2024.

Dee Lewis was a superstart for Daingerfield at quarterback and mike backer. He shined for Kilgore this year as their starter at mike backer in 2024. Lewis had 73 tackles, 4 sacks and an interception for the Rangers.

Nick Martin topped this list last year after a monster performance. He didn't have the same type of production for the Cowboys in 2024, but he's still headed to the league after a 47 tackle, 1 sack, forced and recovered fumble in 2024. Martin is projected as a 4-6th round pick in this year's draft.  

Braydon Nelson went from dominating defensive lineman at Kilgore in 2023, to dominating defensive linemen at UNT in 2024. Nelson was a hand for the Mean Green's OL all year, making starts at LT and RG. Nelson had an incredible first year on campus and with production like this he'll be playing on Sunday's.

After a huge freshman season, McCuin was viewed as UTSA's top target in 2024. McCuin's season ended early due to injury, but during his 8 games the effort to get Devin the ball was of high priority. The explosive plays were limited as McCuin was used to move the chains more in 2024, but nonetheless Devin is starting to separate himself from his counterparts from high school with 2 productive years in a row.

Randle was at Louisiana Tech, but transferred over to UTSA to follow his East Texas roots to San Antonio and join Coach Traylor. Randle had a big year at linebacker, starting 4 games this season for UTSA and providing 45 tackles and 4 pass break ups for the Road Runners in 2024. 

Khalan Griffin has been toting it for Lamar the past 3 seasons and though his senior year wasn't his best year he was still productive. Griffin ran for 560 yards and 3 touchdowns in his swan song for Lamar in 2024.

Mineola's Dawson Pendergrass has been a man since day one for the Baylor Bears. Pendergrass took his production up a notch in 2024, totaling 774 yards rushing and receiving and 6 tds for the Bears. 

Owen McCown balled in his first year as the guy for UTSA. A transfer from Colorado, Rusk's McCown lit up the scene for UTSA with 3,424 pass yards and a 25:10 TD:INT ratio. He was a beast on the ground as well, going for 340 yards and 3 tds. 

Bugg Thompson was a 4 year producer for the Longhorns, but after splitting time in 2023, Thompson transferred over to Auburn. In his senior season Thompson finished with 65 tackles, a sack, and 2 picks. Thompson hopes to hear his name called in this year's draft or have an opportunity to play in camp this fall.

Kip Lewis was the man leaving Carthage and in 2024, he began to reach that status at Oklahoma. Lewis's athleticism is his calling card as he can fly around. As a full time starter, Lewis finished 2024 with 63 tackles and 2 interceptions, 1 against Alabama that went to the house.

Jamarion Miller waited his time at Alabama and saw his opportunities increase majorly in 2024. The speedster from Tyler had a great year producing 823 yards on 161 touches for 8 tds. Miller can catch it out of the backfield as well as get the tough yards from the backfield. He was a great partner next to Jalen Milroe and it'll be interesting to see how his role in the offense will change in 2025.

Kitan Crawford was a special team ace for the Texas Longhorns, and honestly, probably would've gotten drafted from that play alone. He transferred to Nevada in 2024, and left no doubt that he'll get his name called in this year's draft. Crawford was a baller at safety and totaled 76 tackles, 2 interceptions and 6 pass break ups in 2024.

Landon Jackson arrived to Baton Rouge in 2021 as a huge recruit. After a season, Jackson transferred over to Arkansas where he has been a pure hog for the Razorbacks. In 2024, Jackson totaled 49 tackles, 6.5 sacks, on top of forcing and recovering a fumble. Jackson will have his name called in the 2025 NFL Draft as he is projected to go in the 2nd Round in April.

Jermod McCoy was a baller for Oregon State last season, and after the program was left out of the big conferences, McCoy transferred to Tennesse. McCoy was one of the best corners in the nation, a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award in 2024. Jermod used his incredible athleticism to have 44 tackles, 4 interceptions and 9 pass breaks ups in 2024.

Haynes King had real hype around the Georgia Tech program in 2024 after a great start and finish in 2023. King helped knock off Top 10 Florida State in Ireland to start the year, and with a very efficient and physical offense, put up solid production all year. Haynes missed 3 games in 2024, but threw for 2,114 yards on 73% completion for 14 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions. He ran for 587 yards and 11 touchdowns as well, becoming a true dual threat.

Savion Williams not only emerged to the top of this list, but is one of the most interesting receiver prospects in the 2025 NFL Drafts. TCU used Savion as a true outside threat, but snapped it to him to and let him show off his physical/athletic running style. Savion caught 60 passes for 611 yards and 6 tds, but also ran 51 times for 322 yards and 6tds as well. Expect to hear Willliams' name called in the 2-4th round range in the draft.