Gerry Stanford's first impression of senior wide receiver Tevailance Hunt probably wasn't what you would think.
"The kid (Hunt) has got a smile that draws in people who want to be around him," said Texas High's new head coach. "He really cares about other people."
Hunt (6-2, 183) is eager to kick off the 2017 season. He's set team goals and personal goals, with plans to continue his football career after 2017 at Texas Christian University.
TCU took notice of the Tigers' multi-talented receiver last winter when he caught 36 passes for 692 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Horned Frogs' coaching staff didn't need to look at his film twice in deciding they wanted him.
"His film from his junior season was really good; it got the attention of several colleges," Stanford said. "The amount of work he put in during the spring and summer has only made him better. Physically, he has the attributes of what you're looking for in a Division I proto-type receiver.
"Tevailance scored well on his ACT, and worked real hard to do well on his test. He's an academic-athlete, and that's what people want."
So what are Hunt's goals for his season year?
"First, I want my team to go undefeated again (Tigers were 10-0 in regular season in 2016) and have a deep run in the playoffs," Hunt said. "I'd like to break Quan Hampton's school record (71 receptions in 2016)."
Both Hunt and Stanford indicated the latter is a possibility, but will be tough since the Tigers have several talented receivers.
"We've got guys like Chris Lyles, Vonderick Stanley, Kobe Webster, Jaqualin Brown and Kendal Reid; those guys will be open if the opposition focuses on me," Hunt said. "Even if they double-team me it might not work."
Hunt is really not brash, but he's not lacking for confidence either.
"I believe in myself," he said. "If I think I can do, I'm going to do it. We all believe Coach Stanford loves us; all the coaches are pushing us hard to be the best we can be, and that's what we wanted. Some things are way different than last year."
Hunt said his verbal commitment to TCU is firm, noting Alabama would be his second choice.
"Even if Alabama offered me now, I don't think I would change," Hunt said. "I loved the environment at TCU, the coaches and the players. It felt like home to me. Now I can focus on my senior year. All the college coaches have quit calling me. I think they feel like it's done."
Texas High goes into its first game at home against Bishop Lynch, which won the 5A TAPPS state championship last fall. The Tigers return most of their defense, while only four offensive starters are back.
"We want to get the ball in Tevailance's hands, but we have four or five receivers we'd like to get the ball to," Stanford said. "I feel like all of our receivers have a shot of breaking our school records. We're going to spread the ball around. We don't want people keying on one person."
However, that may be a done deal because a lot of folks have seen Hunt's film and know what he's capable of doing.