Football

Breaking down the 2019 Fabulous 55: Nos. 10-6

Posted March 14th, 2018

Mike Craven Hookem.com staff

mcraven@hookem.com

The release of the initial 2019 Fabulous 55 was the unofficial beginning of the latest recruiting cycle. Texas is in the mix for some of the best players in the state months removed from signing the best class in the Big 12 and the third-best in the nation, which included the five top-rated players on the 2018 Fab 55.

No. 10: Austin Stogner, tight end, Prestonwood Catholic

FYI: 6-6/230; 4 stars; No. 2-ranked tight end

Texas offer? No

Committed: Oklahoma  

Analysis: Stogner is the clear-cut top tight end in the state for 2019 and he picked Oklahoma early in the cycle, committing to the Sooners in June 2017. He’s a big tight end and a mismatch in the passing game. Stogner has 58 receptions for 795 yards and 15 touchdowns in his two years on the varsity level. He’ll become a better in-line blocker who can become a three-down tight end with a year or two in a college weight room. He’s college-ready as a receiver.

No. 9: Grant Gunnell, quarterback, Houston St. Pius X

FYI: 6-6/212; 4 stars; No. 2-ranked pro-style quarterback

Texas offer? No

Top offers: Arkansas, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, LSU

Analysis: Prolific doesn’t begin to describe the prep career of Gunnell. The one-time Texas A&M commit has started since midway through his freshman season. Since then, the 4-star has recorded 11,356 yards and 142 touchdowns to just 21 interceptions. Gunnell has added 1,088 yards and 20 touchdowns as a runner despite dong most of his work from the pocket. Gunnell is the best quarterback in Texas during the 2019 cycle.

No. 8: NaNa Osafo-Mensah, defensive end, Fort Worth Nolan Catholic

FYI: 6-4/227; 4 stars; No. 7-ranked weak side defensive end

Texas offer? Yes

Other top offers: Notre Dame, Texas A&M

Analysis: Nolan Catholic is becoming a new hotbed of talent at the private school level and Osafo-Mensah is the best product to date. The 4-star defender is set to decide on May 19 with Notre Dame the heavy favorite. He excels at rushing the quarterback and could do that from defensive end or outside linebacker depending on the scheme deployed by his defensive coordinator. He will take an official visit to Texas on May 4.

No. 7: Garrett Wilson, wide receiver, Lake Travis

FYI: 6-0/185; 4 stars; No. 14-ranked wide receiver

Texas offer? Yes

Other top offers: Ohio State, Alabama

Analysis: Wilson’s rise began in 2016 when he was named District 25-6A’s newcomer of the year after catching 53 passes for 699 yards and 12 touchdowns. His stock shot through the roof following his junior season when he recorded 98 receptions for 1,773 yards and 26 touchdowns while leading Lake Travis to a Class 6A Division I state championship appearance. Wilson also spent time at running back and cornerback. He’s the top remaining priority for Texas on the offensive side of the ball with quarterback Roschon Johnson and 5-star wide receiver Jordan Whittington already committed. Wilson is a native of Ohio.

No. 6: Theo Wease Jr., wide receiver, Allen

FYI: 6-3/194; 4 stars; No. 5-ranked wide receiver

Texas offer? Yes

Other top offers: Oklahoma, Texas A&M

Analysis: Wease emerged as the top target for an Allen team that ended up knocking off Lake Travis in the Class 6A Division I title game. The long, rangy wide receiver caught 53 passes for 852 yards and 14 touchdowns. Wease was a first-team all-district selection as a junior and is favored to pick Oklahoma or Texas A&M with the Sooners in the lead. He was the District 6-6A newcomer of the year as a sophomore after catching 35 passes for 421 yards and eight touchdowns. His height and speed make him a tough cover for any defender.

Previous rankings: 55-51 | 50-46 | 45-41 | 40-36 | 35-31 | 30-26 | 25-21 | 20-16 | 15-11