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Graduation to Gridiron

Houston Freshman Making Plays in Major CFB

By Ahmard Vital

There’s no doubt that the Greater Houston area has supplied the country with some of the most talented players. This past Saturday, a few of them made plays as true freshman

Bralon Addison, WR, Oregon (Hightower HS)

Coming out of Hightower as of the state’s most prolific players, Addison was highly sought after. It started with Oklahoma State, and then he moved on to making a commitment to Texas A&M. And in a heated turn of events, Addison chose to sign with Oregon on National Signing Day.

Now, it seems as though coach Chip Kelly and the Duck coaching staff have wasted no time getting him in the rotation. In a 42-25 win over Fresno State, Addison had two catches for 16 yards and had 46 kickoff return yards on three attempts.

Deante’ Gray, DB, TCU (Westside HS)

For Gray, it was all about Stanford coming out of the Houston ISD program. But some unfavorable events occurred and Gray found himself looking for a new place to play college ball late in his recruitment. The safe landing spot was in Fort Worth, TX, and TCU was the place he ended up signing to.

Out the gate, Gray has been utilized as one the Horned Frogs primary return guys. In a 56-0 win over Grambling State, Gray, in his first touch as a college football player, returned a punt 70 yards for a touchdown. On the day, he racked up 160 return yards, breaking the TCU record for yards in that category for a game. For his performance, he was named the Big 12 Conference Special Teams Player of the Week.

Trey Williams, RB, Texas A&M (Dekaney HS)

Though he was highly sought after and plenty of schools wanted to get in on him late, Williams stood by his pledge to the Aggies and signed with them. And based on his production in high school, there were no doubts that there would be immediate use for him in College Station.

His talents were on full display this past weekend in the season-opener at home against Florida. Williams was used in the return game and out of the backfield, but the Aggies lost 20-17. On the ground, he had 18 yards on five carries. He also caught a 28-yard pass that was one missed tackle from going the distance. Williams had 58 kickoff return yards as well.

BJ Catalon, RB, TCU (Westside HS)

Colorado may have been his first choice, but it was TCU that got his signature. And in the first game of the season, Catalon was used in the 56-0 rout of Grambling State. He was good for 70 yards on 13 carries and caught four passes for 57 yards.