Four-star, 2023 WR Braylon James and head coach Bobby Acosta have Del Valle on the rise
As the old song goes, “The stars at night are big and bright…deep in the heart of Texas!” The Lone Star state produces some of the top high school football stars in the country each year, and wide receiver Braylon James of Del Valle High School is no exception.
Out in Travis County, folks live and breathe football. Just roughly seven miles southeast of downtown Austin, one arrives in Del Valle, TX. While this might not be one of the towns you hear a lot about in the coverage of the big in-state powerhouses, that is quickly changing.
Del Valle hires former IMG Academy head coach Bobby Acosta
Del Valle Head Coach Bobby Acosta won a national championship last year as the head coach at IMG Academy.
Just as Ole Miss football created an excitement and energy around the Rebels’ program with the hiring of head coach Lane Kiffin, Del Valle High School did much the same this past spring as they hired former IMG Academy head coach Bobby Acosta to come in and create a new Cardinal culture.
Acosta and his IMG team won a national championship in 2020, going 8-0 and outscoring opponents 381-82 along the way. The most impressive win of the season came in a 41-14 romp over Duncanville in Texas in a battle of the then-top two teams in the country, according to the USA Today Super 25.
In a few shorts months since his arrival as head coach, Coach Acosta already has Del Valle on its way to making a mark on the Texas high school football scene.
Wide receiver Braylon James
One of the stars here in Texas that Acosta will be coaching is Del Valle’s own 6-foot-4, 185-pound, 4-star wide receiver, Braylon James.
James is not only one of the most sought-after wide receivers in the class of 2023 in the state, but also in the nation. He currently is the No. 18 wide receiver and the No. 23 player in the state of Texas for 2023, according to the 247Sports composite rankings.
He currently holds over 33 offers from every major Power 5 program in the nation, including: Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, California, Colorado, Duke, Kansas, Marshall, Miami, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, SMU, Stanford, TCU, Texas, Texas Tech, USC, Utah, UTSA, West Virginia, and Illinois.
His SEC offers include: Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, LSU, South Carolina, Tennessee, and A&M.
Recent Texas A&M offer Del Valle WR Braylon James (@braylon_james14). pic.twitter.com/i1J1VNpwMx
— Andrew Hattersley (@AndrewHatts) May 23, 2021
When I came across James’ film — and watched him over the last few months during this off-season — I quickly knew he is a player the Rebs need to get on their radar. With Coach Kiffin’s and offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby’s offense, James would be an ideal fit in Oxford.
During his sophomore campaign, James stepped up for his team, notching 42 receptions for 442 yards and 7 touchdowns for the Cardinals. He was a 26-6A second-team all-district selection as a sophomore in 2020, after playing his freshman season at Round Rock (Texas) Stony Point.
Fit in the ‘Sip
Many of the nation’s top coaching eyes have been on James — even more so after his strong showing at the Under Armor camp, this past spring and in 7 v 7 ball.
He has great length and speed, mixed with elite ball skills off the jump that make him a natural playmaker at wideout. He’s got great physicality and is never afraid to go head-to-head with a defender.
James also has great hands and excels on critical downs — a place where a top receiver often sets himself apart. His athleticism and stellar academic record help make him elite. He is a straight-up athlete — not just on the football field but also on the track field as a hurdler for Del Valle.
Leaving Del Valle HS in Austin (TX) Extremely Impressed With WR Braylon James❕
Tremendous Athlete and an Exceptional Student 📚
James Was the First 2023 Receiver Stanford Offered 🌲 @USCScoop pic.twitter.com/BTPtJsB63v
— Scott Schrader (@Scott_Schrader) April 20, 2021
Already an Under Armor All-American, James also sports a 5.161 GPA and is ranked 36th in his class of 878. With his skillset and his smarts, it’s a no-brainer to want to see this young man in the Red and Blue!
Hotty Toddy!
Follow Rebel Walk Director of Recruiting Lee Ann Herring-Olvedo here on Twitter to stay up to date with all the Ole Miss recruiting news.
Lee Ann Herring-Olvedo
Lee Ann is the Director of Recruiting for The Rebel Walk. She is a veteran SEC sports journalist and NFL content writer. She is also the Sr. Editor for MESPORTS digital. Herring-Olvedo is a Brown University graduate who loves good cigars, good games, and a smooth glass of bourbon — not necessarily in that order.
