The Drive7 Bigz competition rolled through DFW as part of the Road To The Crown circuit, and once again the trenches told the story.
This stop was not about flash, it was about fundamentals. Hand placement. Pad level. First-step explosiveness. Strike timing. Coaching and execution were on full display as offensive and defensive linemen battled through drill work and competitive reps. Below is the DFW notebook spotlighting several prospects who separated themselves with technique and maximum effort all camp long.
JaDarian Brailey
DL | Class of 2029 | Duncanville (TX)
Brailey is a young defensive lineman whose traits immediately flashed and were steady all camp long. He plays with a naturally low center of gravity and understands leverage, a rare trait this early in development.
Quick feet and fluid movement skills allow him to redirect without wasted motion. He flashes real short-area burst and on film shows the ability to shoot gaps with timing. What stands out most is how disruptive he is when he keeps his pads down. He plays stout against the run, anchors well for his frame, and competes with a relentless motor snap after snap.
The foundation is there. As his frame matures and his hand usage continues to develop, Brailey has the tools to become a problem inside at the high school level in Texas.
Seantawqua McCray II
Edge | Class of 2027 | Southmoore (OK)
At 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, McCray II brings verified size with edge athleticism. His first step is explosive, and he consistently shows good hip flexibility and bend when turning the corner.
In drills, he moved fluidly and displayed active, violent hands. On film from his junior season, he flashes multiple pass-rush moves and counters, attacking from both two-point and three-point stances. He sets the edge well versus the run and closes quickly when he identifies the football.
McCray plays fast and under control, a key distinction. He doesn’t overrun plays, and he understands how to compress space. His ability to transition from speed to power is trending upward, and he delivered one of the more complete edge performances in DFW.
JD Smith
DL | Class of 2026 | Joshua (TX)
JD Smith is a compact, powerful 3-technique with a strong lower half and natural leverage advantage at 5-foot-11, 245 pounds.
He is quick off the ball with active feet and the athleticism to move fluidly in space. Smith plays both inside and on the edge, aligning in two-point and three-point stances. What shows up on film immediately is his motor. He plays through contact and attacks with controlled aggression.
At engagement, he delivers a firm strike and understands how to win the leverage battle. He holds his point of attack, sheds effectively, and penetrates gaps with purpose. His senior production: 52 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks, reflects the disruptive presence seen on tape.
For programs looking for an interior defender who plays hard, stays active, and disrupts blocking schemes, Smith fits that profile.
Jermie Deckard
DL | Class of 2028 | North Crowley (TX)
Deckard moves well in space for his size and shows good initial get-off at the snap. His hands are stiff and purposeful, he strikes with intent.
Camp reps highlighted his competitiveness, but the film confirms the upside. Deckard shows the ability to collapse the pocket and make plays behind the line of scrimmage. He’s disruptive when he keeps his feet active and continues driving through contact.
There is developmental upside here. As his technique tightens and he continues to build strength, expect him to become more consistent finishing plays.
Christian Johnson
OL | Class of 2027 | Jacksonville (Ark)
At 6-foot-4, 310 pounds, Johnson brings prototypical size for the interior or right-side tackle spot.
He is agile with nimble feet and moves well laterally in space. On film, his power shows up at first contact, he locks in defenders early and establishes control. His ability to climb to the second level and engage linebackers stands out, demonstrating spatial awareness and balance.
Johnson plays with patience and strength at the point of attack. When his hand placement is precise, he becomes difficult to disengage from. With continued refinement in pad level consistency, his ceiling remains high.
Channing Moore
DL | Class of 2029 | Cabot (AR)
Moore is a big-bodied interior presence at 6-foot-1, 290 pounds. He carries his weight well and shows nimble feet for a young defensive tackle.
His lower half is powerful, and he flashes the ability to push the pocket. On film, he plays active and disruptive, occupying space and demanding double teams. Moore profiles as a space-eater who can reset the line of scrimmage when he maintains leverage.
As he matures physically and continues to refine hand technique, expect him to emerge as a notable interior force in Arkansas.
Isaiah Ojo
DL | Class of 2029 | Mansfield Lake Ridge (TX)
Ojo showed promising early development in the trenches during the Drive7 Bigz DFW stop. He possesses quick feet and flashes noticeable explosion off the snap. For a young defensive lineman, his movement skills stand out, nimble, agile, and able to redirect efficiently in drill work.
What stood out most about Ojo was his coach-ability. He took instruction well, made adjustments between reps, and applied technique corrections immediately. That ability to process and implement coaching is critical at this stage of development.
Final Evaluation
The Drive7 Bigz DFW stop reinforced an important reality: games are still won in the trenches.
From explosive edge rushers to stout interior defenders and powerful offensive linemen, this group showcased the blend of coaching, technique, and competitive drive that defines the Road To The Crown platform.
The names above are ones college staffs and regional evaluators should track closely as development continues.
