Prospect Review: Houston County at Valdosta

By Barry Every
SouthernPigskin.com

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SP Recruiting Expert Barry Every breaks down the top prospects from last week’s matchup between Houston County and Valdosta.

Valdosta, Georgia – Five punts, an interception and a turnover on downs culminated into a 3-0 first quarter score. When the dust cleared the Wildcats ended up taking the first step towards claiming a Region 1-AAAAAA Title with a 52-20 blowout victory over Warner Robins (Ga.) Houston County.

Valdosta (Ga.) nearly doubled the Bears in total offense with a 405 to 202 yardage advantage. To make matters worse for the Bears, several special team gaffes led to multiple short fields for the Wildcats.  And a one sided score.
Senior running back TJ Dailey made the most of his 12 carries gaining 91 yards while hitting paydirt four times. Prolific signal caller Tate Rodemaker had a workman like night completing 15 of 28 passes for 249 yards and three scores.

Houston County (4-3/0-1) now has a week off to recoup and revitalize. They will next be in action October 25th as they host Douglas (Ga.) Coffee (6-1/1-0). The Wildcats (6-1/1-0) head north to take on Coffee this Friday; the winner of this contest is all but assured either a #1 or #2 seed coming out of the Region of Doom.

Below are my top performers from each team based on their performance and athletic potential. Though only six players were chosen, more than a dozen players from this contest were included in the weekly XOS Digital Prospect Report. This report is distributed to over 200 DI through DIII colleges.

Houston County Bears

Leeshoen Jarrett, 6-4/200, WR (2020)
Offers: (6) Charleston Southern, Chattanooga, Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville State, Southeast Missouri State, Stetson
Comments: Jarrett is a tall lanky receiver whose height automatically causes matchup problems. Versus the Wildcats he caught four passes for 42 yards; he also had a couple key blocks that helped spring large gains for teammates. He attacked the ball with his hands and showed quick foot-fire afterwards, gaining yards after the catch. Jarrett has good body control and understands the importance of sitting down in the open holes of the defense. It’s possible he could fill out and become a hybrid TE/WR at the next level. Right now I would say he is that big receiver that could be dangerous in the red zone at the next level.

Cam Stewart, 6-0/190, S (2021)
Offers: None
Comments: Stewart sits way down the teams HUDL page, but he should be much higher in my opinion. He has very good lower body structure and looked very aggressive versus the run and underneath passes. Never overlook a safety willing to come up and lay the wood. Stewart recorded five tackles and had one TFL in this contest. He is almost like having another linebacker in the secondary. Stewart may best project as an in-the-box safety at the next level. More important is his ability to make tackles in the open field; college coaches keep an eye on this one.

Valdosta Wildcats

TJ Dailey, 6-0/200, RB (2020)
Offers:  None
Comments: This may be a new name for college recruiters, but one thing I can assure you is this kid definitely looks the part. He has the size and frame to be considered an every-down back at the next level. I’m not even sure if Dailey played football last year as he is a transfer from Norcross (Ga.). Versus the Bears he made the most of his 12 carries rushing for 91 yards and four touchdowns. He looks like a one-cut back that runs with good forward body lean while showing a burst of speed in the open field. Though he did not catch a pass in this game; Dailey has several pass receptions on the season.

Tate Rodemaker, 6-4/195 (2020)
Offers: (20) South Florida Commit
Comments: Rodemaker got off to a slow start completing just two of nine passes for 20 yards resulting in a 3-0 first quarter lead for the Cats. As expected he came alive for the next 2-1/2 half quarters completing 12 of 19 passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns. What really stands out about his game is his pocket presence; he proved very crafty sidestepping pass rushers.  Rodemaker is as dangerous of a thrower outside the pocket as he is inside the protective barrier. He keeps his eyes down field when being flushed and has the mobility to gain unscripted yards with his feet. Still a little surprised that more Power Five schools have yet to offer this live armed lanky prospect with a coach’s mentality.

Kaleb Robinson, ATH, 5-10/185 (2022)
Offers: (5) Auburn, Cincinnati, Duke, Georgia Tech, North Carolina State
Comments: The dynamic sophomore only touched the ball seven times but made the most of his opportunities. On the night Robinson carried the ball five times for 47 yards while snagging two passes for 35 yards and a score. He should be considered an all-purpose back or an athlete, as his skillset lends itself for playing both running back and slot receiver. He demonstrated very good top end speed but more impressively he is a bull-to-tackle. This guy runs with balance and simply kept his feet chugging, even when mixed in a pile of defenders.

Javonte Sherman, 6-1/165, WR (2021)
Offers: (1) Coastal Carolina
Comments: Gone is former standout receiver Aalah Brown, transfer to Hahira (Ga.) Valwood. Then just a couple of weeks ago a season ending injury occurred to behemoth senior wideout Jaheim Bell. This really hampered the Wildcat offensive production from a year ago. But not all is lost; Sherman has stepped into that #1 receiving role and is starting to thrive. On the night he caught five passes for 127 yards and two scores. Sherman has good length, tactile hands and the speed to separate once in the open field. He sort of reminds me a bit of former Valdosta (Ga.) Lowndes star Tayvonn Kyle. Sherman’s play will be pivotal down the stretch for the Wildcats