3 things I know, 3 things I think I know: Texas receivers are a special breed

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Every week, college football insider Shehan Jeyarajah will come to you with a roundup of everything he thinks – and things he thinks he thinks right now – about college football in Texas this week. 

Become a DCTF Insider today for exclusive insight from the best team of reporters in the Lone Star State! CLICK HERE!

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3 things I know

Texas receivers are just different, man

Jalen Reagor. James Proche. Devin Duvernay. CeeDee Lamb. There’s just something about receivers from Texas. 

All of those guys, along with Laviska Shenault, rank among the most dangerous athletes in the nation and proved it at the NFL Combine. Two Texas ran 40s under 4.4. Jalen Reagor cleared a 42-inch vertical. Denzel Mims posted the best 3-cone drill and Reagor had the second-best broad jump. 

We love to say that Texas produces the best athletes in America. The combine proves that this isn’t just talk. We just do it better. 

March is one of the elite sports months

Football may not be back on Saturdays, but March still stands as one of the best months of sports on the calendar. 

The headliner is obviously March Madness, which will have us glued to our TVs soon enough. Outstanding teams at Baylor (both men’s and women’s), North Texas, Rice and Texas A&M will lead the way. 

In addition, spring practice gets underway for football, so we’ll start getting some real storylines. Baseball game are starting up (not my thing, but still). The NBA is in the midst of the stretch run towards the playoffs. Everything is in full force and we can’t wait. 

Denzel Mims is the riser of the NFL Draft

This is a strong year for NFL wide receiver prospects, with names like Jerry Jeudy and CeeDee Lamb taking up most of the air space. After his NFL Combine and Senior Bowl performance, though, Denzel Mims is nearing the top of the list. 

Mims ran the 40 in 4.38 seconds (third among receivers), jumped 38.5 inches (eighth), broad jumped 131 inches (fourth), posted a 6.66 in the 3 cone drill (first) and posted 16 bench press reps at 207 pounds (12th). 

Mims was already considered a high-upside candidate at receiver, but his physical explosion over the weekend should make him one of the best options on the board. In fact, some mock drafts already have him exploding up into the first round. 

3 things I think I know

Leon O’Neal has great opportunities

It was somewhat of a shock when Texas A&M safety Leon O’Neal opted to transfer from College Station. O’Neal has been perhaps the biggest Aggie cheerleader on the planet the past few years, but losing his job to Demani Richardson ultimately made the difference. 

However, O’Neal – the former top 75 recruit – will have tons of options in the state of Texas. Houston and SMU will likely fight for his services and try to sell him on dominating at that level. A Big 12 school could take a close look at him – maybe one of the new defensive administrations at Baylor or Oklahoma? 

It’s never an easy decision to leave a place that you’re excited about, but O’Neal is likely leaving at the right time. The Aggies have plenty of riches, but O’Neal can contribute at the highest level as soon as he’s eligible. 

Justin Madubuike will be better in the NFL than college

Madubuike only did three events at the NFL Combine – 40, bench press, 3 cone – but excelled at all three. 

Listed at 293 pounds heading in, Madubuike ran a 4.83, which is on the better end for a player of his size. His 31 bench press reps was more than Derrick Brown and Jabari Zuniga and the 3 cone time was top 10. 

Madubuike was a consistent contributor at Texas A&M, but never quite turned the potential into production. However, his physicals will allow scouts to go back and look at his type. With his size, explosiveness, great use of hands and versatility, Madubuike can be a mainstay at the next level. 

Don’t doubt Luis Perez

Luis Perez was planning to be a bowler after bowling 12 perfect games. Southwestern Community College told him that he could switch positions. He never played varsity high school football. 

And yet, this weekend, the former Texas A&M-Commerce quarterback was out there starting an XFL game for the New York Guardians. In his first start, he completed 69 percent of his passes for 150 yards and a touchdown in a win. 

Perez went from nobody to Harlon Hill winner over the course of just a few years. He went through a rocky time in the Alliance of American Football. Now, eight years after he graduated from high school, Perez is somehow the starting quarterback of a pro football team.

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