Expect to see more from these 3 Newport players

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• By Richard Davenport
• 6:00AM on December 26th, 2008

Newport coach Greg Brannon led the Greyhounds to a 10-4 record and to the semi-finals of class 4A playoffs.

Junior offensive lineman  Wesley Grady (6-4, 300, 5.1) linebacker Thamail Morgan (6-0, 195, 4.5) and sophomore running back/ defensive back Artez Brown (6-1, 175, 4.5) were key figures for Newport this season and all have the tools to possibly play on the next level.

Brannon said Grady has the many qualities needed to be an outstanding offensive lineman.

“Wesley is type kid that’s really maturing,” said Brannon, who has a 31-18 record at Newport. “He had to play as a 10th grader. He comes off the ball real well and is a leader on the offensive line. He got hurt in the sixth game of the year and missed our run into the semi-finals (playoffs). We’re looking for big things out of Wesley next year. He’s great kid, very likable.”

Arkansas and others are showing interest in Grady.

Linebacker Thamail Morgan is a rare athlete, according to Brannon.

“Thamail is a just a phenomenal athlete,”  He’s one of those kids that I have the fortune of coaching. It’s blessing for me to coach Thamail Morgan because he’s great kid and a great athlete. He has a great personality and a great smile. He just has a knack at playing the linebacker position.”

Morgan also played wingback and receiver while racking up 22 sacks this year. He’s receiving interest from Arkansas, Ole Miss LSU, Florida and many others.

Sophomore running back Artez Brown could be a high-profile prospect in the next two years. He rushed for 1,111 yards this season on 96 carries.

“He started at tailback for us and did an outstanding job,” Brannon said. “He hurt his foot in the Trumann game and we needed him so bad in the secondary that we held him out at tailback and primarily used him on the defensive side of the ball. My expectations for Artez are just outstanding. His grade point is way up there. He doesn’t really say anything; he just leads by example. His practice habits are great.”