When it comes to athletic recruiting, most colleges and universities look for the student-athletes and programs with stars by their names. For example, websites like 247 Sports and Dave Campbell's have star ratings that they use to rank players for recruiting.

When you think of 3- and 4-star athletes, you usually think of athletes at the 4A-6A levels. Colleges and Universities tend to navigate to these larger schools due to the fact that these student-athletes, week in and week out, are usually playing against other elite level competition. Many times these larger communities and schools also have programs like AAU and private sports organizations near them to provide their athletes more advanced training and exposure.

However, in the small town of Gordon, Texas, (population 495 and Class A) there are some young men writing a different story. One that would make any fan of Texas high school football turn their head. What makes this program so special? How about 4 of their athletes receiving Division 1 offers!

Now to put that in perspective, there is about a 3% chance that a student-athlete in high school receives a college scholarship offer. The Gordon Longhorn football team, which plays 6-man football has 67% of their starting football players in that group of 3%.

What makes this even more impressive is the caliber of programs that the Longhorns have attracted. These are not just any Division 1 programs in the United States. These 4 young men have been offered by three different branches of the US Military Academies.

Stryker Reed has committed to play football and run track at the US Air Force Academy. Ry Reed has committed to play football at West Point for the Army Black Knights. Just recently, Asher Salinas and Brayden Walters were offered from the US Naval Academy for track. For 4 young men from one school to be offered a Division 1 athletic scholarship is note-worthy. For that to happen in a Class A school is next level.

For 3 of the 5 US Military Academies to be drawn to the small community of Gordon, to recruit athletes for their Division 1 programs, is a testament not only to Coach Mike Reed and his staff, but more importantly to a community that has helped develop leadership in these young men.

The US Military Academies role is to train young men and women to become leaders and officers in their respective branches, leading to them being commissioned as officers and serving a minimum of 5 years in the armed forces. These academies put a strong emphasis on discipline, honor, and teamwork. Qualities that have drawn them to these young men in the Gordon program.

I have met each of these young men and their coaches and know that they and their families are not only excited for the opportunities, but see them as true honors. I would encourage those of you reading this blog to not only follow the story of the Gordon Longhorns for the remainder of this football season, but also watch what this impressive community does in all of its competitive endeavors this school year.

Good luck to these young men, their families, their school, their coaches, their teammates, and their community!