IN THE GRAND SCALE OF DYNAMIC ATHLETES ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS WHO ENTER THEIR JUNIOR YEAR THIS FALL, THERE ARE FEW WHO MEASURE UP TO THE LEVEL OF JERMAINE BISHOP JR.
What he may lack in overall size, this Willis DB/WR irrefutably makes up for in every conceivable standard the game provides, which has equated to a four-star rating from 247Sports, deeming him a potential future pro.
Still not convinced?Just ask his coach.
“He (Bishop Jr.) is, hands down, one of the Top-10 recruits in the country in the 2026 class,” said Willis HC Trent Miller. “There’s nothing that he’s not good at, whether it’s playing receiver, some Wildcat quarterback, playing at the safety or corner positions or returning kick-offs. I think he’s the face of Montgomery County with his skill-set and ability."
The 2023 District 13-6A Utility Player of the Year– who racked up north of 2,100 all-purpose yards, 25 TDs and five interceptions last fall – claims to model his multi-faceted game after Sauce Gardner (New York Jets DB) and Ceedee Lamb (Dallas Cowboys WR).
Both are widely renowned for their speed off the ball, although that isn’t the primary attribute Bishop credits for being a bona fide superstar.
“What most defines me would definitely be the six inches I have on top of my shoulders,” he said. “Being able to predict a play before it even happens, reading the other guy on the field, what routes he may be able to run and where my help is.
“I also think my elusiveness helps me out a lot, since I’m one of the smaller guys on the field, but they still won’t be able to tackle me.”
Given the considerable number of D1 offers currently in his possession – Texas A&M, Florida, TCU, Texas, Houston, Oklahoma,Tennessee, SMU and Michigan, among them –fans and coaches alike are eager to know where the versatile Willis weapon will call home when he ultimately graduates less than two years from now.
“I’m looking for a spot that can not only develop me as a football player, but can bring more than that,” said Bishop. “I want to go to a place that can help me see what my life could be like after football, because you can’t play forever. It’s going to be about what they can contribute to my life after my career is over.”
While playing football at the next level will be his principal ambition, Bishop will also pursue a degree in Business in the near future.
As far as this year stands, however, Bishop and his teammates have a clear message to send to the Greater Houston-area.
“We’re more than just D.J. Lagway,” he said. “Obviously, he’s a great player and I don’t want to take anything away from him and his legacy. But, everybody has been working for this moment. We’re ready to step up to the plate and show the city what we’ve got.”
Following the program’s first district championship last season, Willis will look to repeat that effort, and remedy their third-round exit from the playoffs at the hands of eventual UIL-6A-II State Champs DeSoto.
Despite the absence of now-Florida Gator D.J. Lagway – whose ability to elevate those around him was undeniable – Bishop will be the new alpha in the locker room with hopes of continuing the Wildkats' new-found success.