Prospect coverage ramps up on Day 3 of the Texas high school football state championships, highlighted by our first in-game look at a DCTX five-star prospect and capped by one of the fastest-rising quarterbacks in the Class of 2028.

With talent spread across every matchup, this preview focuses on a select group of standouts from a LOADED Friday slate.

• 11:00 AM: 4A Division I - Kilgore vs. Stephenville
• 3:00 PM: 4A Division II - West Orange-Stark vs. Carthage
• 7:00 PM: 5A Division I - Smithson Valley vs. Frisco Lone Star

Checking in as a DCTX five-star, Carthage 2026 RB KJ Edwards (5'9, 185) is the top-rated prospect who will step on the field on Friday. The Texas A&M signee is an absolute offensive force with the ability to completely take over games with his speed, but he will also punish defenses in the middle of the field. Edwards holds the record for career rushing yards and rushing touchdowns at Carthage and was named the Class 4A Division II state title game Offensive MVP in 2024. You had better count on us keeping close tabs on his brother, 2028 ATH JD Edwards (5'10, 155), who impressed throughout the course of this season and claims early offers from SMU, Texas A&M and LSU. 

Carthage boasts several intriguing prospects, but its defense revolves around two players who battled for Defensive MVP honors in last year’s state title game—both DCTX four-stars. 2026 Texas A&M signee LB DaQuives Beck (6'1, 210) claimed last year’s Defensive MVP in the Class 4A Division II championship and is aiming to repeat in 2025. The state’s No. 31 prospect has racked up over 300 tackles across the past three seasons and plans to enroll early in January. Meanwhile, Colorado signee LB Carson Crawford (6'2, 205) lines up all over the defense, making an impact wherever he’s needed. A true do-it-all player, Crawford also contributes on offense as a wide receiver, capable of making big plays.

Frisco Lone Star 2026 ATH Davian Groce (6'2, 190) appears poised to be the next standout from Jeff Rayburn’s program, which has produced NFL and college stars such as Nick Bolton and Marvin Mims. He has split time between running back and wide receiver throughout his prep career, making him one of the most versatile playmakers in the state. The DCTX four-star signed with Florida.

After transitioning from wide receiver to safety a couple of years back, Frisco Lone Star 2026 S Jordan Deck (6'3, 195) has developed into one of the nation’s top-rated prospects at the position. A consensus four-star, he offers range, instincts, and playmaking ability that have helped him earn offers from top colleges nationwide. Deck inked with Michigan in the Early Signing Period.

Frisco Lone Star is also home to quite a few top underclassmen, including Baylor four-star ATH commit Karece Hoyt (6'1, 200), who is a two-way threat. 2027 DB Bryant Robinson (6'2, 175) has a double-digit offer list. 2028 QB Trey Wright (5'11, 170) has been the talk of the postseason, recording 1,186 yards in wins over Highland Park and Aledo. He's a two-sport star with offers in football and basketball, with offers from Cincinnati, Nevada, North Texas, Texas State, UTSA and more. 

West Orange-Stark 2027 RB Khelvy Jefferson (5'3, 150) plays like he’s six feet tall. With home-run power and a 550-pound squat, he has been a highlight machine throughout the Mustangs’ march to the state finals. If Jefferson, who already holds a Texas Tech offer, is going to help pull off an upset over heavily favored Carthage, he will need to put on a show. If he does, he could cement his status as a legend in the '409.' Jefferson often runs behind the blocking of 2026 OL and McNeese signee Jadyn Rhodes (6'4, 300). 

Kilgore 2026 ATH La'Keyleon Graves (6'0, 180) stars on offense, defense and special teams for a Kilgore team known for its punishing defense, which has not allowed a touchdown since the first game of the playoffs. Texas State’s coordinators are likely to battle over where he lines up at the next level. Graves is the highest-rated G5 commit in the state, and the highest-rated Texas State commit in DCTX prospect rankings history, dating back to 2012.

Smithson Valley is home to a couple of star defenders in 2026 DE Hudson Woods (6'3, 230) and 2026 DT Justin Roberts (6'2, 280). Woods, who checks in as the No. 81 prospect in the DCTX Rising 100, will play his college ball at SMU. Roberts, a DCTX three-star, is committed to UTEP but did not sign in the Early Signing Period. 

2027 Smithson Valley QB Ty Knutson (6'3, 200) is considered as one of the top in-state quarterbacks in his class and has a double-digit offer list to back it up, including Houston, TCU, Texas A&M and Texas Tech.