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REIGN CANE: Lake Creek’s Morcos commits to Tulsa ahead of senior year
While it may often take some time for an individual to be noticed in the high school football recruiting game, that hasn’t been the case for Lake Creek’s Eli Morcos.
Following years of training, preparation, and producing some admirable results, the incoming senior quarterback has racked up a bevy of noteworthy offers throughout his career – particularly from programs such as UTEP, Sam Houston State, Houston Christian, ULL, and Navy.
However, after his most recent official visit, Morcos ultimately made his decision to commit to Tulsa on Monday.
“It felt right,” he said. “I had been praying about it for a while, and I just felt like God spoke to my heart, telling me that Tulsa was the place I needed to be. Also, I really enjoyed the coaching staff – coach (Corey) Dennis and coach (Kevin) Wilson.
They’re very intelligent, offensive-minded guys who can produce NFL quarterbacks. Regarding the city itself, I enjoyed it a lot. The environment was great, the players were great, and I just felt like that was home.”
As he approaches the final campaign in his high school career, it’s given Morcos the opportunity to reminisce about where it all began.
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
“I’ve always grown up in the sport, dating back to when I was three or four,” said Morcos. “A big part of my journey, I think, was impacted by my brother who’s four years older than me. Growing up, I would go play tackle football with him and his friends, which helped me to be built tough and it’s stuck with me up to this point.”
It would appear that this particular upbringing has paid dividends for the Lions signal-caller, who is coming off a stellar performance in 2023, in which he accumulated over 1,500 yards through the air, with 18 passing touchdowns, and 11 more on the ground.
Collectively, Lake Creek (12-1) went undefeated through the regular season, which carried over into the playoffs, before being edged out by the eventual UIL-5A-II state champs Port Neches-Groves (30-27) in the Regional Quarterfinals.
Now that he has secured his future playing career, Morcos has a one-track mind for the upcoming Fall.
“It’s time to go get it done,” he said. “Last year I was still going through the whole recruitment process, which put a little bit more pressure on my shoulders. But, now the mindset is to just go win and have fun. It’s going to be the last time I’ll be on the same field with my friends, so I’m hoping to make it count.
Obviously, I want to stay consistent and be a leader for the guys around me since I’m going to be one of the oldest of the group. So, I intend to make this season enjoyable for myself and my teammates – to be an uplifting spirit so they can take on what seniors leave when all is said and done.”
Given that the vast majority of last year’s roster will be returning for head coach Pat Kennedy, which includes the soon-to-be Tulsa Hurricane, fans should expect more of the same success in 2024, if not greater.
College Park's Hazen starting to draw "Big Boys"
Dylan Hazen is more than just a time.
The College Park linebacker ran the fastest time at the Rivals combine in Houston clocked by a laser at 4.566 in the 40-yard dash. That's over 1,500 athletes.
"I knew I was going to run a good time," the 6-foot-1, 210-pound defender said. "I had been hand-timed under a 4.4 at my high school. When I saw the top performers at the combine, I thought – hold up – that's my name."
"I think I could have had a better three-come drill and pro-shuttle time, but I just kept sliding on the turf."
Ok, so he had a great time – a combine-kid, right? Wrong.
Times and measurables can't explain the two-time, first-team selections on an 11-9 team in District 15-6A – one of the tougher districts in the city of Houston.
College Park coach Lonnie Madison recognizes talent, but doesn't spread around accolades to just anyone. Madison starred at defensive end for rival The Woodlands before playing at Texas A&M.
"Dylan is as talented as any player I've coached over the last 17 years," Madison said. "He has a rare combination of strength and speed. He has our school record in the 40-yard dash and benches 325 pounds. He's got the work ethic and football awareness to be an impact collegiate player right away. You won't find a better leader. Whoever gets him will be lucky."
Hazen holds offers from Illinois, Tulane, Tulsa, Rice and several Ivy League schools due to his exemplary grades.
"The recruiting process has been a little stressful," he said. "It's tough because you just don't know who is going to want you. Who is going to give you that chance? Who will be first to take that risk?
"I've been talking with Baylor and Ohio State recently and I really like those two schools as well. I'm looking for a school that has a great ranking academically. Then it's all about the campus and culture. How the players interact with each other? I want to be a part of a brotherhood, not just players having to be there."
Hazen started to see his football future come into focus upon the arrival of coach Madison.
"When I was at Knox Junior High, I wasn't the most athletic kid," he laughed. "I was on the chubby side and not one of the top players. I was really doubting my football ability. When coach (Lonnie) Madison came in, he had a program in place. I just followed the process and slimmed up, got faster and by my sophomore year started to realize my potential."
It's not a surprise that Hazen's parents met in the weight room at the Clemson University. His extended family all live in South Carolina and before the arrival of Madison, Hazen considered going back to South Carolina.
Heck, he even has the Trevor Lawrence flow.
"I just tried to grow my hair out to see what it looked like," he laughed. "It just stuck."
Hazen was always the biggest kid in the SCFL – Montgomery County's football league for youngsters. He has definitely grown into his body as his athleticism has caught up through hard work.
"I was always been one of the bigger guys growing up," he said. "I think my speed is what sets me a part. Speed is my friend. I'm a good open-field tackler and am strong. This spring and summer I'm working on my agility, my start-and-stop and using my hands. I watch a lot of video and am working on disguising my blitzes as well. There is always something to work on."
"I'll be playing a lot of pick-up basketball also," he laughs. "Anything to compete. I'm not that great, but can body-up by buddies in the paint and get some rebounds."
One thing that's hard to measure is heart. It seems like Hazen's cup is overflowing.