North Texas Head Football Coach Dan McCarney has stated he feels that North Texas needs to look into recruiting Texas better and stop having local high school players going out of state, play at other Sun Belt Schools and come back to play against North Texas.

Could one of those players he is talking about be Sulphur Springs senior running back Kendrick Daniels, 5-7, 150lbs.? Daniels, known as K.D., is a little guy that stands tall on the field and life. Before one looks at his height and weight, consider this he runs 4.31. However, there is more to him then speed.

He has offers from a Big 12, Conference-USA, Sun Belt and Southland school. North Texas fans will be able to see him play the next four years because he has verbally committed to Sun Belt Conference member Arkansas State. He has offers from Iowa State, Memphis, LaTech and Arkansas State. Inside sources said he would consider North Texas but has not heard from them.

Head Coach Greg Owns says he has that ‘Wow’ factor because he has the ability to take the ball to the house whenever he gets the ball “and that’s what opponents fear about him.” Not only can he run the ball with speed he is elusive because he has great vision.

Daniels is a fighter. When things seem to be against him he moves forward and not letting things get him down.

For example, when other people use asthma as an excuse for not do something, he considers it a bump in the road like a defender trying to tackle him. He knows how to control it so it doesn’t interfere with his performance on the field. The former Irving High School, Dallas, Texas product moved to Sulphur Springs in his sophomore year and he has been a force to reckon with playing for the Wildcats

Offensive Coordinator Jeff Riordan said Daniels is difference maker and has the passion, fire, energy and everything a coach wants in a back and feels he can play at the next level playing for a division one school.

Daniels is leading the ground game with 607 yards on the season, has 76 carries with six touchdowns and averaging eight yards a carry. When looking at the numbers consider this, Daniels has had right and left ankle injuries, has been out two games this season and has been hobbled in several games when he has returned. None of it has slowed him down.

The numbers look even better considering the offensive line has been patchwork because of injuries. Players not knowing assignments or out of position can cause problems for some running backs but not K.D.

 The air game features wide receivers that average about 5-8 so the air game is something that doesn’t fear opposing defenses. The result is Sulphur Springs relies on the ground game. They are averaging 231 rushing yards a game, carry a 6-2, 4-0 record and can win the district title with by betting Texas High this weekend.

Denton and ESPN fans saw what he can do in the opening game of the season when he ripped off a 70 yard touchdown run late in the first half in Denton Ryan’s 25-9 win over Sulphur Springs. Daniels ended that game against the last year’s Division 1 state champions with 8 carries for 108 yards and five catches for 50 yards.

Here is something you don’t hear from a star player, he states his success comes from the offensive line, the players that work hard every game and the ones that block for him. He feels without blockers he could not be successful.

Not convinced of him yet? He is on pace for his second year as a 1,200 rushing and while still in school he has been named to the all Sulphur Springs Century Team.