Sports//College Sports

College football players from the Houston area to watch in 2019

By Adam ColemanAug 24, 2019

PHOTOS: Houston-area college football players to watch for 2019 Houston Cougars quarterback D'Eriq King (4) warms up during the University of Houston's âFriday night lightsâ spring football practice, Friday, April 12, 2019, in Houston. >>>Browse through the gallery for a look at the 10 players to keep an eye on ... — PHOTOS: Houston-area college football players to watch for 2019

Houston Cougars quarterback D'Eriq King (4) warms up during the University of Houston's âFriday night lightsâ spring football practice, Friday, April 12, 2019, in Houston.

>>>Browse through the gallery for a look at the 10 players to keep an eye on ...
Karen Warren/Staff photographer

Jaylen Waddle, Alabama, sophomore WR Episcopal HS The SEC Freshman of the Year in 2018 is one reason why some are calling the current Alabama receiving corps the best in program history. He caught 45 balls for 848 yards and seven scores with some solid special teams work for the Crimson Tide last year. Waddle will be on television sets frequently this season considering Alabama's status in the national title hunt. — Jaylen Waddle, Alabama, sophomore WR
Episcopal HS
The SEC Freshman of the Year in 2018 is one reason why some are calling the current Alabama receiving corps the best in program history. He caught 45 balls for 848 yards and seven scores with some solid special teams work for the Crimson Tide last year. Waddle will be on television sets frequently this season considering Alabama's status in the national title hunt.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Walker Little, Stanford, junior OT Episcopal HS Consider he was the first true freshman to start at left tackle for Stanford since Kirk Chambers in 2000. He's on every preseason watch list, including the Outland Trophy, presented to the best college football interior lineman in the country, and his NFL Draft stock will only improve after this year. — Walker Little, Stanford, junior OT

Episcopal HS

Consider he was the first true freshman to start at left tackle for Stanford since Kirk Chambers in 2000. He's on every preseason watch list, including the Outland Trophy, presented to the best college football interior lineman in the country, and his NFL Draft stock will only improve after this year.
Icon Sportswire/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Grant Delpit, LSU, junior S IMG Academy He's wearing No. 7 this season, which matters in the Bayou, and is in the conversation for best defender in the land. When you think of the kind of safety that affects the game in numerous ways and stands out in all the best ways, think Delpit. He's another player getting NFL Draft talk early on. While Delpit finished his high school career at IMG Academy in Florida, he's a Houston native with stops at St. Thomas High School and Lamar High School. — Grant Delpit, LSU, junior S
IMG Academy

He's wearing No. 7 this season, which matters in the Bayou, and is in the conversation for best defender in the land. When you think of the kind of safety that affects the game in numerous ways and stands out in all the best ways, think Delpit. He's another player getting NFL Draft talk early on. While Delpit finished his high school career at IMG Academy in Florida, he's a Houston native with stops at St. Thomas High School and Lamar High School.
Matthew Hinton/Associated Press

KeSean Carter, Texas Tech, sophomore WR The Woodlands Looking for a breakout season? Carter is a candidate after playing in all 12 games for the Red Raiders as a true freshman last year. He finished fifth on the team with 26 catches and 238 receiving yards. It was a nice introduction to what Carter offers. Some say Carter is a more impressive on the track but he's not lacking on the gridiron at all. — KeSean Carter, Texas Tech, sophomore WR
The Woodlands

Looking for a breakout season? Carter is a candidate after playing in all 12 games for the Red Raiders as a true freshman last year. He finished fifth on the team with 26 catches and 238 receiving yards. It was a nice introduction to what Carter offers. Some say Carter is a more impressive on the track but he's not lacking on the gridiron at all.
Wade H Clay

Leon O'Neal, Texas A&M, sophomore S Cypress Springs We get it. He's free with his words - especially on social media - and it rubs some the wrong way. But he could become a household name in the Aggies' defensive backfield this year. He was outstanding in the Taxslayer Gator Bowl against N.C. State with 4.5 tackles, including one for a loss, a pass breakup and an interception. — Leon O'Neal, Texas A&M, sophomore S

Cypress Springs

We get it. He's free with his words - especially on social media - and it rubs some the wrong way. But he could become a household name in the Aggies' defensive backfield this year. He was outstanding in the Taxslayer Gator Bowl against N.C. State with 4.5 tackles, including one for a loss, a pass breakup and an interception.
James Gilbert/Associated Press

CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma, junior WR Foster In a 51-28 win over Dripping Springs in the Class 5A Division I Region IV final in 2016, Lamb - a senior at the time - had nine catches for 225 yards and five touchdowns. Foster head coach Shaun McDowell noted after the game that Lamb was only getting started. He was right. Lamb is one of the most entertaining players in college football and if he tops last year's 65 catches for 1,158 yards and 11 touchdowns, that would the next player on this list is in for a top-tier 2019 season. — CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma, junior WR

Foster

In a 51-28 win over Dripping Springs in the Class 5A Division I Region IV final in 2016, Lamb - a senior at the time - had nine catches for 225 yards and five touchdowns. Foster head coach Shaun McDowell noted after the game that Lamb was only getting started. He was right. Lamb is one of the most entertaining players in college football and if he tops last year's 65 catches for 1,158 yards and 11 touchdowns, that would the next player on this list is in for a top-tier 2019 season.
Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press

Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma, senior QB Channelview It's not just that he's been one of the most consistent players in the sport, but there is so much intrigue around Hurts and how he finishes his college career in Norman, Okla. after transferring from Alabama. He's also following Heisman Trophy winners Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray at Oklahoma, which brings another level of attention. Hurts has been widely respected for handling Alabama's move to Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback with class. Now for a happy ending? A Big 12 title and playoff berth is possible with Hurts in the fold. — Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma, senior QB

Channelview

It's not just that he's been one of the most consistent players in the sport, but there is so much intrigue around Hurts and how he finishes his college career in Norman, Okla. after transferring from Alabama. He's also following Heisman Trophy winners Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray at Oklahoma, which brings another level of attention. Hurts has been widely respected for handling Alabama's move to Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback with class. Now for a happy ending? A Big 12 title and playoff berth is possible with Hurts in the fold.
Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press

In 2018, defensive tackle Ed Oliver was one of college football's most intently watched players and for good reason.

ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Houston's D'Eriq King and OU's Jalen Hurts meet again

The Westfield and University of Houston product figures to be doing well this preseason as the Buffalo Bills' first-round draft pick.

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As the 2019 college football season begins, there might not be one player from the Houston-area garnering attention like Oliver did in his final season.

There are at least 10 to keep an eye on, though.

FOOTBALL PREVIEW AT TEXAS SPORTS NATION: Skeptics best beware UH quarterback D'Eriq King

Check out the slideshow above to see the 10 college football players from the Houston area to watch for the 2019 season.

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Aug 24, 2019

Photo of Adam Coleman

Sports Writer

Adam Coleman joined the Houston Chronicle in April 2016 to cover Rice University and high school sports.

He previously worked for the Big Spring Herald and Houston Community Newspapers and also covered Houston high school and college sports as a freelance writer.

Coleman is a graduate of Westside High School and Texas Tech.

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