“Brandon Boys” to Keep an Eye On

Brandon High School has always been a team loaded with talent. Two of their best players, Gardner Minshew and Will Rogers, have already shown that in their college years. Minshew threw for over 4700 yards and 39 TDs at Washington State, and Rogers started as a true freshman in the SEC at Mississippi State this past year. On the defensive side of the ball, NFL linebacker and Brandon alum Demario Davis was a big time player at Arkansas State. This school is almost never devoid of talent. New head football coach Sam Williams has no shortage of it this year either, as the Bulldogs have another talented bunch up next. Let’s take a look at some standouts Williams will have this season with collegiate upside. [player_tooltip player_id="108964" first="Jarvis" last="Durr"] | 2023 ATH | After a freshman season playing running back, [player_tooltip player_id="108964" first="Jarvis" last="Durr"] started for the Bulldogs as a safety as a sophomore. Durr is an athlete with all kinds of potential. He was clocked in the 4.5 range as a freshman. As as safety, Durr is good free safety with balance between the run and pass game. Against the run, he is physical and reads guards well. He knows where to be and what angle to take to get there. The safety tackles well and has a lot of juice behind his hits. Against the pass, Durr plays over top as a support role. Using his athleticism, he can go up and break up passes. Durr has great vertical ability and speed. He also has a smooth back pedal without a lot of choppiness to it. His best attribute is his range and closing speed. Covering a lot of ground quickly is huge for safeties at all levels. Durr currently does not list any offers, but is set to take off soon. <a href="http://iframe%20src=’//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12707577/5fad7ad302b1880928be7efe’%20width=’640’%20height=’360’%20frameborder=’0’%20allowfullscreen/iframe"><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12707577/5fad7ad302b1880928be7efe" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></a> [player_tooltip player_id="108896" first="Luke" last="Rogers"] | 2023 OL | The last name may sound familiar, and it is. [player_tooltip player_id="108896" first="Luke" last="Rogers"] is the younger brother of former Brandon QB Will Rogers. The 6’4" 295 OL got the best of the size genes and was the starting right tackle last season. He allowed 0 sacks in his first full year as a starter. Rogers is an excellent prospect at offensive line in the 2023 class. He has flexible knees which allow him to bend and get out of his stance with ease. Rogers plays with quick and active feet and is capable of moving in space well. As a run blocker, Rogers is tenacious and nasty. He finishes the block through the whistle and dominates whoever is lined up across from him. His upper body strength is very well developed for his age. In the pass game, Rogers mirrors ends well and uses his strong first punch to catch them off balance.  Rogers currently lists an offer from Central Arkansas, but more schools will soon follow with more exposure and film. <a href="http://iframe%20src=’//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12696902/5fb312101761f50a78ba77eb’%20width=’640’%20height=’360’%20frameborder=’0’%20allowfullscreen/iframe"><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12696902/5fb312101761f50a78ba77eb" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></a> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-1awozwy r-18u37iz r-dnmrzs"> <div class="css-901oao r-18jsvk2 r-1qd0xha r-1b6yd1w r-1vr29t4 r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" dir="auto"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">[player_tooltip player_id="104441" first="Kazarius" last="Bowie"] | 2022 DE |</span></div> </div> <div dir="auto"></div> <div dir="auto">With 131 tackles last season, [player_tooltip player_id="104441" first="Kazarius" last="Bowie"] was quite the force player for Brandon. Bowie stands at 6’1" 220 and could project better as a college outside linebacker due to his athleticism. Against the run, Bowie was one of the state’s best. Using his quick twitch and get off, Bowie was in the backfield constantly. He has good moves to get off of blockers, particularly his swim move. He plays aggressive as well, using his strength to push blockers back and make big hits in the backfield. It is best to try and run away from which ever side of the field Bowie is on. Against the pass, Bowie uses his speed off the edge to make plays. He has a knack for forcing the quarterback into decisions given the pressure. With continued development of his moves as a pass rusher, Bowie is a sleeper prospect in the 2022 class. He currently lists offers from Hinds and Mississippi Gulf Coast.</div> <div dir="auto"></div> <div dir="auto"><a href="http://iframe%20src=’//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11705429/5e423c2ba018ea0ff4d8c208’%20width=’640’%20height=’360’%20frameborder=’0’%20allowfullscreen/iframe"><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11705429/5e423c2ba018ea0ff4d8c208" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></a></div> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-18u37iz r-1wbh5a2"></div> <div><strong>Peyton Dooley</strong> | 2022 OL |</div> <div></div> <div>At 6’4" 300, Peyton Dooley was the other starting tackle last season for Brandon. He played multiple positions on the offensive line and showed his versatility as well. Dooley is a big time road grader who thrives in the run game. He has solid strength and can bully opposing defensive players. Dooley plays with a powerful base and can anchor well. Similar to his teammate [player_tooltip player_id="108896" first="Luke" last="Rogers"], Dooley finishes blocks through the whistle and plays aggressive. In pass protection, Dooley has a solid kick step and first initial punch. With continued improvement to his ability to play in space, Dooley will get  a chance to play at the next level. Look for him to put up a big senior season.</div> <div></div> <div><a href="http://iframe%20src=’//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11707093/5f9995815caaa5178c54df78’%20width=’640’%20height=’360’%20frameborder=’0’%20allowfullscreen/iframe"><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11707093/5f9995815caaa5178c54df78" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></a></div> <div></div>