Brandon Williams/Earl Thomas Article

[KFDM COOP]

SE Texas all-stars ready for next step - college football

http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18650113&BRD=2287&PAG=461&dept_id=583964&rfi=6

FORT WORTH - For Earl Thomas and Brandon Williams, the education continues.

Tuesday night at Amon Carter Stadium, the two local standouts played a part in the South squad's 14-0 victory over the North in the Texas High School Coaches Association All-Star Game.

Now they'll reset their sights on joining the Big 12 fraternity.

"We have a lot of good athletes coming out of the Golden Triangle," said Thomas, a West Orange-Stark product and incoming freshman at Texas. "We just want to be the next ones. We want to make our families and our hometowns proud of us."

Williams, a Texas A&M signee, had a rugged night against some of the best players in the state. He completed 2 of 4 passes for 22 yards and had 24 rushing yards on nine carries. But Williams also fumbled twice and was nearly sacked in the end zone for a safety at the end of the game.

He took it all in stride, however, sharing a laugh with coaches as the final seconds ticked away.

Williams was a bona fide star for Central the last two seasons, earning district MVP honors both years as the Jaguars returned to the playoffs.

But he said he doesn't really feel like he grow up in Southeast Texas. The rest of his family is from Baton Rouge, La., and he moved to Beaumont in fourth grade.

"I think I realized I could be a good football player in middle school," Williams said. "Playing against everybody else, it felt like I was playing at a high level."

Unlike most incoming freshmen, Williams hasn't been on campus this summer.

Originally, his grades and test score were not approved by the NCAA Clearinghouse, forcing him to sit out. Williams said he has re-taken the standardized test and believes the Clearinghouse will approve his grades, but he's still waiting for a final word as to whether he'll be eligible this season.

"I'm just waiting on (the Clearinghouse) to call back," he said.

A&M coach Dennis Franchione did not directly discuss Williams' academic status Tuesday, but he did discuss his plans for Williams on the field.

"Brandon is probably a guy that could play at a lot of different spots," Franchione said.

"He was an outstanding athlete (at Central). I think he'd like the opportunity to start out at quarterback, and certainly we'll give him that opportunity. But obviously we're going to look at Brandon and say, 'Great athlete, great speed and a lot of things he can do.'"

Meanwhile, Thomas, a cornerback from West Orange-Stark and a Texas signee, momentarily fumbled on his only kickoff return and was leveled inside the 5. His two punt returns netted 3 yards.

But Thomas also was the South's second-leading tackler with 3 1/2 stops and a pass deflection.

Thomas reported to UT in June. He said he's been getting daily lessons in humility, courtesy of the Texas veterans.

"I stepped on the field and said, 'Golly, look at these guys.' I'm going to have to work that much harder," Thomas said.

"I remember in 7-on-7 workouts, (wide receiver) Limas Sweed - he didn't blow past me, but he's so tall. He jumped over top of me and grabbed the ball. Then he flipped it to me. It reminded me of something I would do. I got him back, though. I got a pick (against) him later on."

[BMTSoulja1]

Way to go, Brandon.  You had a bad game, but we all know what you are capable of.  Continue to make us Jag fans and all this area happy.