Top CFB Prospects to Watch in the UIL Football State Championships

Who is the top-rated prospect in each and every TXHSFB state title game?

Greg Powers

*Click Each game for a complete preview.

THURSDAY

*New Deal (14-0) vs. Mason (15-0): 2A DI - 11:00 a.m.

Top Prospect - 2019 WR DK Blaylock (6'5, 170) - New Deal
Mason will have its hands full trying to slow down this monster, and it won't take long for people watching to know he presents a mismatch. What is interesting about Blaylock is his ability to stretch the field and take an underneath pass the distance. The one-time Iowa State commit reports that he is 100% open to all schools and is also considering offers from Abilene Christian, Boise State, Bowling Green, Illinois, New Mexico State, Texas State, and UTEP.

*Canadian (14-1) vs. Newton (14-0): 3A DII - 3:00 p.m.

Top Prospect - 2019 RB Darwin Barlow (5'11, 200) - Newton
The TCU commit barely edges out teammate 2020 DE James Sylvester (6'4, 225). Barlow is one of the strongest running back prospects in the nation and easily runs through arm tackles. Additionally, Barlow has the speed to get to the edge and is agile enough in the open field to make defenders miss. Newton has a great offense but controlling the football against Canadian will be a key, as the Wildcats average 41 points per game in the playoffs.

*Malakoff (12-2) vs. Grandview (13-2): 3A DI - 7:00 p.m.

Top Prospect - 2021 DE Demetrious Crownover (6'7, 230) - Grandview
The Class of 2021 prospect is not on a lot of mainstream media sites yet, but he is definitely a prospect who colleges will be tracking. He is a two-sport star in Grandview, as he is one of the best basketball players in 3A. He is the younger brother of former RB standout Earnest Crownover. His ability to help control the run and apply pressure in the backfield will make him a force that Malakoff will have to account for on every offensive snap. Speaking of under the radar, keep an eye on Malakoff 2020 LB RJ Carr (6'2, 220). Carr has only played in a few games but has the look of a D1 linebacker.

FRIDAY

*Texarkana Pleasant Grove (13-2) vs. Cuero (14-1): 4A DII - 11:00 a.m.

Top Prospect - 2019 WR Jordan Whittington (6'1, 200) - Cuero
The Texas commit has helped lead Cuero back to the state title game for the first time since 2004. Whittington is a man amongst boys at the 4A level. He can stretch defenses out and is a deep ball presence, and his coach finds unique ways to get him the football behind the line of scrimmage. Whittington might be the most crucial player as it relates to his team's title aspirations. Cuero will need a big performance from the future Longhorn to take home a championship ring.

*Waco La Vega (13-2) vs. Liberty Hill (13-1): 4A DI - 3:00 p.m.

Top Prospect - 2019 RB John Richards (5'9, 190) - La Vega
Hey Y'all, John Richards is a full-grown man! The powerful running back will run through you on the way to the end zone and plays the game with a punishing style. Richards has 789 yards and 12 touchdowns in the playoffs and has left many defenders laying on the turf after he has barreled over them. There is not much recruiting buzz out there surrounding his name, but he will be the top player on the field in this game.

*Aledo (15-0) vs. Fort Bend Marshall (15-0): 5A DII - 7:00 p.m.

Top Prospect - 2020 RB Jase McClellan (5'10, 200) - Aledo
McClellan is already verbally committed to Oklahoma but also has offers from schools like Alabama, Baylor, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, TCU, Texas, and Texas A&M. This is his third state title game performance, so there is probably not a player with more experience on TXHSFB's biggest stage. In his two state championship game performances McClellan has rushed for 235 yards and three touchdowns. McClellan is the type of runner who likes to get to the edge and make big plays happen. He runs like he is on skates and can make his cuts to the outside quickly and seamlessly.

SATURDAY

*Highland Park (15-0) vs. Shadow Creek (15-0): 5A DI - 11:00 a.m.

Top Prospect - 2020 DE Alec Bryant (6'3, 240) - Shadow Creek
While Highland Park boasts a couple of prolofic players, it's the Shadow Creek pass-rusher who tops the charts as far as rankings are concerned. Bryant is young for his classification, only turning 16 this fall. While he is a tremendous pass rusher, he is also good versus the run. Bryant has tremendous burst and close-quarters quickness that helps him close on the football in an instant. Offers have already come in from Arizona, Houston, Indiana, LSU, Oklahoma, TCU, and Vanderbilt. He will have to have an excellent game for Shadow Creek to knock off the heavy favorite and he will be tasked with lining up across from a technically sound offensive lineman in Rice commit OT Regan Riddle.

*Longview (15-0) vs. Beaumont West Brook (13-2): 6A DII - 3:00 p.m.

Top Prospect - 2020 QB Haynes King (6'3, 180) - Longview
I have been describing the junior quarterback as a 'gunslinger' all season, and after watching him play live, I stand by the definition of his skills. King is a quarterback who will hang tight in the pocket in the face of pressure and deliver a strike when his team needs a lift. Longview is a team full of tremendous athletes, but King is the straw that stirs the drink. The offense runs through him. He has the arm to push the ball into tight spots and has been extremely accurate all season. Offers have come in from schools like Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Houston, Louisiana Tech, Missouri, TCU, Tulsa and more.

*Duncanville (14-0) vs. Galena Park North Shore (15-0): 6A DI UIL - 7:00 p.m.

Top Prospect - 2020 RB Zach Evans (5'10, 200) - North Shore
This will be one of the most talent-laden TXHSFB championship games, EVER, and Evans is the headliner of the entire weekend. The five-star prospect is rated as the No. 1 RB in the nation and has about 40 offers is taking a strong look at offers from schools like Alabama, LSU, Ole Miss, Texas, and Texas A&M. Evans is a pure blend of size and athleticism. He will stand out on a field that will be littered with top-tier prospects. Evans has added some weight to his frame, and that has not seemed to slow down or limit his ability to make quick cuts or his open field effectiveness. He could be described as the complete package. Kyler Murray is the best TXHSFB prospect I've watched, but Evans could get his name in the mix with a heroic performance.

Some Other Prospects to Note:

2019 QB/S Josh Foster (Newton - TCU Commit)
2020 DE James Sylvester (Newton)
2019 OT Caiden Walker (Newton - SFA Commit)
2020 RB Keevy Rose (Malakoff)
2019 RB Kieran Grant (Cuero - Army Commit)
2021 DE Landon Jackson (Pleasant Grove)
2021 DE Marcus Burris (Pleasant Grove)
2021 WR Javon Igleheart (La Vega)
2019 DE Colt Ellison (Aledo - TCU Commit)
2019 LB Wyatt Harris (Aledo - TCU Commit)
2019 WR Korey King (FB Marshall)
2020 QB Malik Hornsby (FB Marshall)
2020 ATH Devon Achane (FB Marshall)
2020 CB Avery Helm (FB Marshall)
2021 WR Jojo Earle (Aledo)
2021 CB Demarco Roberts (Aledo)
2019 CB Hudson Clark (Highland Park)
2020 QB Chandler Morris (Highland Park)
2020 DE/OLB Prince Dorbah (Highland Park)
2019 S Ronald Nunnery (Shadow Creek - Houston Commit)
2019 OT Cam'Ron Johnson (Shadow Creek)
2019 S Jevin Murray (Shadow Creek - North Texas Commit)
2019 WR Kealon Jackson (Shadow Creek - North Texas Commit)
2019 DB Kaymen St. Junious (Shadow Creek - Air Force Commit)
2020 S Xavion Alford (Shadow Creek)
2019 OT Marcus Williams (Longview - TCU Commit)
2019 RB Jessie Anderson (Longview - Abilene Christian Commit)
2019 WR Kamden Perry (Longview)
2020 DE Sawyer Goram-Welch (Longview)
2019 WR Deonte Simpson (West Brook - North Texas Commit)
2019 CB Drew Rawls (West Brook - Tulsa Commit)
2019 QB/ATH L'Raven Elia (West Brook)
2020 RB Jakobi Holland (West Brook)
2020 WR Thad Johnson (West Brook)
2021 ATH Bryce Anderson (West Brook)
2019 ATH Marques Bason (Duncanville - Illinois Commit)
2019 CB Tre'shone Devones (Duncanville)
2019 S Stacy Brown (Duncanville - Missouri Commit)
2019 DE Tony Bradford (North Shore - Texas Tech Commit)
2019 CB Keeyon Stewart (North Shore)
2019 S Dorian Hewett (North Shore - Syracuse Commit)
2019 WR Ajani Carter (North Shore - UTEP Commit)
2019 CB Rayveon Shelton (North Shore)
2020 QB/ATH Ja'Quinden Jackson (Duncanville)
2020 S Chris Thompson (Duncanville)
2020 WR Zeriah Beason (Duncanville)
2020 DT James Mitchell (Duncanville)
2020 OT Dameion George (North Shore)
2020 CB Joseph Wilson (North Shore)
2020 LB Corey Flagg (North Shore)
2021 OT Savion Byrd (Duncanville)
2021 QB Demetrius Davis (North Shore)
2021 WR Shadrach Banks (North Shore)

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