Breakout Stars Shine Bright at Showcase in Houston
Showcase Football made its annual trip to Houston, Texas for their Southwest Regional event. Last year the event featured Florida commit, five star, #1 ranked quarterback, DJ Lagway, Willis, Texas. The camp was also the second year in a row for recent Arizona State WR commit Zechariah Sample. On Sunday, there was no shortage of star power as top 10 TE prospect in the 2025 class, Ty Rupe made his 6’6 presence felt running routes and catching balls. Also, dual-threat QB out of Conroe, TX Christian Nunley flashed his strong arm and athletic ability.
Showcase is all about shining a spotlight on the unheralded prospects that rise to the top at the event and there were some break performances by MVPs including QB Colin Willets, DB MVP Justin Stewart, DL MVP Jordan McQueen, OL MVP Michael Musquiz, WR MVP King Phillips, LB MVP Adrian Porter jr. and RB MVP Javier Denson.
‘24 QB Colin Willets, Katy Jordan: Willets showed up a virtual unknown to camp organizers, but quickly grab the attention of evaluators at the start of the camp with his command of the football and quick release. Willets showed rhythmic feet on his drops and a calm demeanor under pressure in team drills. On tape, he shows mobility to pull the ball down and move the sticks with his legs. He was accurate to all three levels on Sunday and showed the confidence and maturity of a veteran leader behind center.
‘24 RB Javier Denson, Stratford:
Denson started off with a bang on Sunday running away from the competition and winning the fastest man contest. He reports 4.48 in the 40 and it showed up during competition. Denson was explosive in drills and foot work was clean. He gained separation during 1on1s against linebackers and caught the ball well. Denson is definitely a prospect on the rise and college coaches would be best served going to visit him during the spring evaluation period.
‘24 WR King Phillips, Deer Park:
If there was an overall MVP it would have gone to Phillips. He was virtually unguardable during 1on1s. Phillips was shifty off the ball and creative while attacking defensive backs. His long stride ate up cushion and he had no problem running by defenders. Phillips long arms and big catch radius along with his body control made him a tough cover on deep routes as he adjusted and high pointed balls all day long. On tape, Phillips showed more of the same. The ability to get behind the defense and go over the top of the opposition consistently throughout his junior season. We fully expect Phillips recruitment to take off as more coaches get a chance to see him up close in person during the May evaluation Period.
‘24 OL Michael Musquiz Atascocita: Musquiz is know for his physicality and it was on display at Showcase. One of the top IOL in the greater Houston area, Musquiz bends well, plays with good leverage and pop at the point. He keeps a strong, square base and uses his lower body power to move the opposition. In pass protection Musquiz worked lateral from inside out to mirror pass rushers.
‘24 DL Jordan McQueen, Cypress Ranch: McQueen was a menace all day in the interior. His quickness off the ball and aggressiveness was too much to handle most times. McQueen is a high energy kid that plays with a hard edge. Not the biggest IDL in the city but came out hot and ready to showcase his talent. He did just that.
‘25 LB Adrian Porter jr., Iowa Colony: The smallest linebacker in attendance at 5’8 170 played with the biggest heart. Porter jr. Was tough to block on the edge in pass rush drills as he used his speed and quickness to win the edge. In pass coverage, Porter Jr. was sticky and stayed attached to RBs out of the backfield. In half skeleton drills Porter Jr. was discipline in coverage and did a nice jump cutting off passing lanes while breaking on the ball.
‘24 DB Justin Stewart, Tomball Memorial: Stewart really impressed in drills with his quick feet, fluid hips, and ability to plant and drive on a dime. Classified as a safety, Stewart play big in man to man coverage at all three levels. He showed range and athleticism to go along with ball skills and at 6’1 definitely emerged as a college prospect that should be on recruiting boards moving forward.
Honorable mention:
‘25 QB Tanner Huckfelt
‘25 QB Christian Nunley
‘24 LB Bryce Kazmiercza
‘24 Edge Lekell McGowan
‘29 ATH Buddha Guerra
‘25 WR Jaylen Mickens
‘25 TE Ty Rupe
‘25 DB Zach Parish
‘26 OL Dayjon Moore
