In preparation for the Top 100 Lobos since 2000, I want to look at some of the best from some of our rivals and neighbors. This week let's take a look at the best John Tyler Lions over the past 20 years.
#3. Aaron Ross
Years: 2000-01
College: Texas
In 2000 as a junior, Ross had 3 defensive touchdowns to go along with 5 interceptions. As a senior in 2001, Ross made second team All-State after 6 interceptions, 3 blocked kicks, 3 fumble recoveries and only giving up 1 touchdown all season. At Texas, Aaron Ross won the Thorpe Award, the nation's best defensive back, and was a first round draft pick by the New York Giants. As a junior, Ross carried the ball 46 times for 350 yards and 5 touchdowns, while catching 5 passes for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns, while leading the Lions to the state final. Ross's senior year numbers are difficult to track, but he had a career high 362 all-purpose yards against Katy his senior year. He had 272 total yards and 2 touchdowns against Marshall that year as well. Ross went on to win the Thorpe Award in college at Texas, and was a first round pick and Super Bowl winner with the New York Giants.
10. Chris Hackett
Years: 2008-10
College: TCU
A prep All-American, First Team All East Texas, First Team All-State for an incredible senior year, Chris Hackett was big time. He was named East Texas Defensive Player of the Year after a mind boggling 12 interceptions, 16 pass break ups, 62 tackles, 2 for loss and four forced fumbles as a senior. The 6'2 Hackett went on to TCU where he started 3 years after redshirting before electing to go pro. He went undrafted but signed with Tampa Bay out free agency.
#9. Fred Ross
Years: 2010-2012
College: Mississippi State
John Tyler's best teams of this century were led by 3 rockstar players from the same class: Greg Ward Jr. Tyus Bowser, and Fred Ross. All 3 had stints in the NFL, and Ross is the first member of the Top5 for great reason. As a sophomore Ross caught 23 passes for 313 yards and 5 touchdowns. Those modest numbers catapulted him to a huge junior year, catching 99 passes for 1,335 yards and 15 touchdowns. His senior year, the catches went down, but the yards went up. Ross caught the ball 86 times for 1,594 yards and 21 touchdowns. For a career, Ross caught 208 passes for 3,242 yards and 39 touchdowns.
#8. Pierre Leonard
Years: 2015-16
College: Texas A&M Commerce
This pick is my personal favorite out of the bunch. At what says 5’10 but feels like 5’9, Leonard’s game reminded of a high school version of Aaron Donald. The man was disruptive from end to end and was a big reason why John Tyler beat Longview in 2016. In 2015 Leonard was named District Newcomer of the Year after posting 91 tackles, 15 for loss, 12 sacks, 1 fumble recovery and 5 blocked kicks. As a Senior, Pierre Leonard was 248 pounds making all kinds of plays. He finished with 79 tackles, 18 for loss, 5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries. Leaving JT as the school’s all time tackles for loss leader, he went on to Commerce where he has been a quality reserve and a National Champion.
#7. Kendall Hunter
Years: 2004-06
College: Oklahoma State
Kendall Hunter was the best player on one of John Tyler's best squads to come through in the mid 2000s. He was an explosive runner, rushing for a career total 2,799 yards, catching for another 597 yards totaling 32 touchdowns. His senior year he ran for 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns. At OK State, Hunter was an All-American and put up 4,700 total scrimmage yards and 39 total touchdowns. His best seasons came as a sophomore and senior. As a sophomore, Hunter rushed for 1,555 yards and 16 touchdowns, and as a senior, 1,548 yards for 16 touchdowns. Hunter got his opportunity in the league with the 49ers when he was drafted in the 4th round. In his 5 seasons, Hunter rushed for 1,202 yards, all in his first 3 seasons. His best year was 2011 when he rushed for 473 yards and 2 touchdowns.
#6. Tyus Bowser
Years: 2010-12
College: Houston
This 3 Star prospect and current Baltimore Raven was a menace in high school at not only defensive end, but tight end as well. He was a starter his sophomore year in which he accumulated 52 tackles and 4 sacks (none on me though lol.) That effort was good enough to be named the District Newcomer of the Year. His junior year was even better totaling 61 tackles 5 sacks, 1 interception and 3 FR. His senior year he was named First Team 4A All-State and All-East Texas after a mind-blowing 59 tackles and 24 sacks. 24, in one year. For a career he had 172 tackles, 1 interception and an amazing 33 sacks.
#5. Geovari McCollister
Years: 2013-14
College: Texas A&M Commerce
Taking the realms from Greg Ward, McCollister showed much promise for what was to come later. He threw for 2,615 yards for 22 touchdowns to just 6 interceptions. The big fella was a load to bring down, running for 852 yards and 10 touchdowns. As a senior his production sky-rocketed to 3,232 passing yards for 29 touchdowns to 7 interceptions, and he ran for 664 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns. That effort was great enough to be named 5A Texas Ford Player of the Year.
#4. Bryson Smith
Year: 2015-16
College: Houston
The 6' 180 pounder is the most electric player I've seen quarterback ever. Fastest guy I've seen live and had a knack for big plays in clutch moments. I will not ever forget the vicious stiff arm he gave one of our players at home in the game they won. He was a stat machine animal, leading JT to two deep playoff runs. He was the #20 DT QB by ESPN, who threw for 3,277 yards his senior year while rushing for 1,653 yards for a combined 55 touchdowns. He has 96 career touchdowns, 5,705 passing yards and 3,100 rushing yards.
College: Texas
In 2000 as a junior, Ross had 3 defensive touchdowns to go along with 5 interceptions. As a senior in 2001, Ross made second team All-State after 6 interceptions, 3 blocked kicks, 3 fumble recoveries and only giving up 1 touchdown all season. At Texas, Aaron Ross won the Thorpe Award, the nation's best defensive back, and was a first round draft pick by the New York Giants. As a junior, Ross carried the ball 46 times for 350 yards and 5 touchdowns, while catching 5 passes for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns, while leading the Lions to the state final. Ross's senior year numbers are difficult to track, but he had a career high 362 all-purpose yards against Katy his senior year. He had 272 total yards and 2 touchdowns against Marshall that year as well. Ross went on to win the Thorpe Award in college at Texas, and was a first round pick and Super Bowl winner with the New York Giants.
#2. William Blaylock
Years: 1999-2001
College: Tulsa/Baylor
During his run at JT, Blaylock was a 2 time First Team All-East Texas selection and a 3rd and 1st Team All-State selection his junior and senior years. Through his 3 seasons as a starter Blaylock totaled 170 pancake blocks and only gave up 1 sack through his career. He arrived at Tulsa and was the backup center, playing in 8 games his sophomore year. He appeared in 8 games with one starter his sophomore year before electing to transfer to Baylor. He was an honorable mention all Big-12 performer that year, before sliding to right guard for his senior year.
#1. Greg Ward Jr.
Years: 2010-12
College: Houston
A 3 Star Prospect out of JT, Ward had a tremendous career for the Lions. Ward was a great receiver as a sophomore catching 53 passes for 667 yards and 8 touchdowns. But he proved to be more than just a great receiver as he threw for 3,596 yards and 32 touchdowns to just 5 interceptions. Those numbers improved his senior year to 4,202 yards for 39 touchdowns to 5 interceptions. When Ward showed up in the 281 it was on. As a freshman he backed up John O'Korn playing receiver, before taking his job as a sophomore. For a career he threw for 8,705 yards and 52 touchdowns to 26 interceptions. He also rushed for 2,375 yards and 39 touchdowns, while also catching 25 passes for 228 yards and 2 touchdowns.
At 5'11, Ward's QB days ended when he got to the league, and after spending time on and off the practice squad, Ward made his splash in 2019. In 7 games, Ward caught 28 passes for 254 yards and 1 touchdown.
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