ARLINGTON, Texas -- For the second straight year a player from North Little Rock (Ark.) earned the top SPARQ rating at the Dallas Nike Football SPARQ Combine. Cowboys Stadium hosted over 1,200 athletes hailing from Texas and surrounding states to as far as Florida. While many had great performances, only 24 were good enough to make the All-Combine team.
Note: Selections are based upon combine performance as well as past and projected on-field performance. Athletes must have completed two of the four combine tests to be eligible for selection. Athletes are in the Class of 2013 unless otherwise noted.
OFFENSE
QB: Ben Oberste, 6-0.5, 193, Sallisaw (Okla.)
Results: 4.78 40, 4.33 SH, 35-5 PB, 37.4 VJ, 96.48 SPARQ
Breakdown: Oberste accounted for over 2,400 yards of total offense and 33 touchdowns during his junior year. Arkansas State and Tulsa have offered the dual-threat quarterback.
RB: Altee Tenpenny, 5-10.5, 207, North Little Rock (Ark.)
Results: N/A 40, 3.94 SH, 44-0 PB, 35.2 VJ, N/A SPARQ
Breakdown: 'Bama-bound back appears close to 100% following his devastating injury that cost him his junior season. Tenpenny hopes to get another crack at the SPARQ Rating National Championship at The Opening this July.
RB: Jalen Rhodes, 5-8, 179, Rowlett (Texas)
Results: 4.70 40, 4.09 SH, 38-0 PB, 32.8 VJ, 103.08 SPARQ
Breakdown: Shifty rusher scored 24 total touchdowns while rushing for 1,491 yards a year ago.
RB: Jabari Anderson, 5-7, 175, Wylie East (Texas)
Results: 4.71 40, 3.94 SH, 30-0 PB, 36.2 VJ, 97.80 SPARQ
Breakdown: In his stellar junior season Anderson eclipsed the 2,000-yard rushing mark and scored 28 touchdowns.
WR: Torii Hunter, Jr., 6-0.5, 170, Prosper (Texas)
Results: 4.51 40, 4.63 SH, 37-0 PB, 36.2 VJ, 94.02 SPARQ
Breakdown: Athletic and wiry wideout holds eight BCS offers. He possesses excellent linear speed and strong overall skill set.
WR: Jo Jo Wardsworth, 5-9.5, 173, Bolton (Alexandria, La.)
Results: 4.62 40, 4.41 SH, 31-5 PB, 38.8 VJ, 90.66 SPARQ
Breakdown: Productive as a junior with 46 catches for 1,267 yards and 13 touchdowns.
TE: Cameron Williams, 6-3, 256, North Little Rock (Ark.)
Results: 5.25 40, 4.18 SH, 41-0 PB, 30.6 VJ, 106.59 SPARQ
Breakdown: Strong shuttle time at 256 pounds proves his supreme athleticism. Last year, Williams nabbed 28 receptions for 498 yards and seven scores.
OL: Curtis Parker ('14), 6-1.5, 260, North Little Rock (Ark.)
Results: 5.39 40, 4.72 SH, 48-5 PB, 23.6 VJ, 80.16 SPARQ
Breakdown: The underclassman posted the top power ball toss of the 2012 combine tour to date.
OL: Alex Pylypec, 6-3.5, 240, St. Michael's Catholic Academy (Austin, Texas)
Results: 5.29 40, 4.88 SH, 40-0 PB, 28.0 VJ, 75.27 SPARQ
Breakdown: Lines up at right tackle and is an aggressive run blocker.
OL: Brad Lundblade ('14), 6-3.5, 285, Liberty Christian (Argyle, Texas)
Results: 5.64 40, 4.72 SH, 38-5 PB, 23.4 VJ, 73.26 SPARQ
Breakdown: Looks the part of a workout warrior with great size; reports an early verbal offer from North Texas
OL: Johnathan Clay, 5-11.5, 263, Evangel Christian (Shreveport, La.)
Results: 5.13 40, 4.70 SH, 37-0 PB, 26.5 VJ, 77.25 SPARQ
Breakdown: Checked in at just under 6-feet, but demonstrated solid core strength with his power ball toss and vertical jump.
ATH: Marcus Warford, 5-7.5, 156, (San Antonio, Texas)
Results: 4.56 40, 4.41 SH, 32-0 PB, 31.6 VJ, 81.21 SPARQ
Breakdown: Warford is a multi-purpose athlete that romped for 2,263 yards and 22 touchdowns last fall; Rice has offered the speedy scat back.
DEFENSE
DL: Michael Epley ('14), 6-2.5, 232, Leander (Texas)
Results: 4.95 40, 4.12 SH, 38-5 PB, 30.7 VJ, 102.72 SPARQ
Breakdown: Named 2011 All-District 16-5A Newcomer of the Year after breakout sophomore year.
DL: Kenny Howard, 6-1.5, 320, North Little Rock East (Ark.)
Results: 5.48 40, 4.53 SH, 40-0 PB, 26.1 VJ, 97.62 SPARQ
Breakdown: Notched 70 tackles and 19 tackles for loss while forcing three forced fumbles last season.
DL: Derick Roberson ('14), 6-4.5, 211, Brennan (San Antonio, Texas)
Results: 4.93 40, 4.47 SH, 38-0 PB, 34.0 VJ, 90.75 SPARQ
Breakdown: Superb sophomore season saw him tally over 100 tackles and nine sacks to go with an interception from the end spot.
LB: Omar Gardea, 6-3, 220, Grace Prep Academy (Arlington, Texas)
Results: 4.90 40, 4.24 SH, 35-5 PB, 32.1 VJ, 93.45 SPARQ
Breakdown: Increased SPARQ rating twelve points from his 2011 performance.
LB: Trey McGahan, 6-0.5, 190, Kennedale (Texas)
Results: 4.79 40, 4.34 SH, 33-0 PB, 38.8 VJ, 93.27 SPARQ
Breakdown: An improvement in his 40-yard time and vertical helped his rating climb 30 points from last year's event.
LB: Kooper Ruminer, 6-2, 214, Deer Creek (Edmond, Okla.)
Results: 4.74 40, 4.56 SH, 37-0 PB, 26.7 VJ, 81.30 SPARQ
Breakdown: The All-State honorable mention selection tallied 136 tackles and ten sacks as a junior.
DB: Bronson Jones, 6-0, 170, Rockhurst (Kansas City, Mo.)
Results: 4.68 40, 4.15 SH, 40-0 PB, 35.8 VJ, 108.75 SPARQ
Breakdown: Second overall rating in Dallas. Both Kansas and Missouri are showing interest in the Jones twins.
DB: Tony Brown ('14), 5-11.5, 179, Ozen (Beaumont, Texas)
Results: 4.52 40, 4.12 SH, 32-5 PB, 33.5 VJ, 100.23 SPARQ
Breakdown: Talented youngster holds an offer from LSU and could be one of the top defensive backs for the Class of 2014.
DB: Brandon Jones, 5-10.5 167, Rockhurst (Kansas City, Mo.)
Results: 4.62 40, 4.25 SH, 40-5 PB, 35.2 VJ, 108.54 SPARQ
Breakdown: Great cover corner with lateral quickness and speed; recruiting stock should take off this offseason.
DB: John Schilleci, 5-10.5, 187, Guyer (Denton, Texas)
Results: 4.61 40, 4.15 SH, 32-5 PB, 32.8 VJ, 95.79 SPARQ
Breakdown: The All-District 7-5A performer impressed with his 40 time; Washington State has offered the physical defensive back.
DB: Ranthony Texada, 5-10, 152, Centennial (Frisco, Texas)
Results: 4.55 40, 4.06 SH, 31-5 PB, 35.2 VJ, 96.21 SPARQ
Breakdown: Western Kentucky extended an offer to the speedy and fluid corner.
ATH: Colin Spencer, 5-9.5, 177, Woodruw Wilson (Dallas, Texas)
Results: 4.47 40, 3.91 SH, N/A PB, N/A VJ, N/A SPARQ
Breakdown: Clocked the day's best 40 and second-fastest shuttle; still has the top SPARQ rating of the 2012 season.