2023 UIL State: Saturday's Must-See Prospects

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5A Division II: South Oak Cliff vs. Port Neches Groves - 11:00 am

South Oak Cliff

2025 LB Jayden Shelton (#9): The 6-foot-0, 200-pounder has been terrorizing offenses throughout the playoffs, showcasing an ability to shut down the run, pressure the quarterback on blitzes, and defend the pass. The DCTF four-star has offers from Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Ohio State, USC, Washington and more. 

2024 WR/TE Trey Jackson (#6): The 6-foot-6, 210-pound Texas Tech commit has had a breakout season, becoming the deep threat in the SOC offense and a red zone terror. His size allows him to have dominant flashes. 

2024 LB Brandon Jones (#0): The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder is the heart and soul of the SOC defense. He is always around the football and plays with a calm and steady presence. Jones is committed to ULM. 

2024 WR Elijah Baesa (#8): The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Arizona State commit brings an electric element to the offense with his quick-cutting ability. He runs crips routes allowing him to get open easily. 

2026 LB Jamarion Phillips (#11): The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder is the final piece of an elite trio of D1 linebackers in the Golden Bears' defense. He has continued to get better and better each week. He is a thumper with big hitting ability. SMU was his first offer. More will follow soon.

2024 CB Kerry Williams (#2) is a 5-foot-11, 165-pound three-star committed to North Texas. 2024 OL Jordan Rowe-Smith (#50) and Jaden Rowe-Smith (#51) are both committed to ULM. 2024 WR Rickey Evans (#3) is committed to Texas Southern. 2024 RB Danny Green (#21) is a D1-level prospect. 2024 OL Xyler Myles (#72) is committed to PVAMU. 2025 S Tobias Gary (#24) owns offers from programs like North Texas and UTSA. 2026 CB Marcell Gipson (#1) also has North Texas and UTSA offers.

Port Neches-Groves

2026 OL Aaron Wolford (#52): The 6-foot-5, 260-pounder was recently named to the DCTF Rising Top 50 for the Class of 2026. Wolford has all of the attributes colleges get excited about, including an 80-inch wingspan and 10-inch hands. He has early offers from Houston and Texas Tech. 

2025 OL Jackson Christian (#74): The 6-foot-5, 310-pound pancake collector has a vast wingspan and a significant upside as an interior projection. Christian has already caught the eye of programs like Houston, North Texas, SMU, Texas, Texas State, Texas Tech and UTSA. 

6A Division I: Galena Park North Shore vs. Duncanville - 3:00 pm

Galena Park North Shore

2025 CB Devin Sanchez (#6): The 6-foot-2, 170-pound five-star is a physical cornerback who thrives in press coverage; he uses his size and strength to disrupt routes and maintain tight coverage. Sanchez's aggressive style often leads to game-changing turnovers. He is set to decide between Texas A&M, Alabama and Ohio State on January 6 at the All-American Bowl.

2025 QB Kaleb Bailey (#9): The 6-foot-1, 195-pound dual-threat plays with an exciting style, which has earned him early offers from programs like Auburn, Marshall, TCU and UTSA. 

2025 WR Deion Deblanc (#3): The 5-foot-10, 180-pounder stands out on a roster loaded with D1 prospects. The compact, well-built athlete combines lightning-fast straight-line speed with an impressive ability to win aerial battles with exceptional leaping skills. Houston, Texas Tech, UTSA, Arizona State and Oregon are all on his early offer list.

2024 TE Kaleb Thomas (#89): The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Houston commit Thomas has been a consistent presence in the formidable North Shore offense, primarily serving as a blocker as an attached tight end. He has a determined and aggressive attitude to sustain and finish blocks.

2024 WR Christopher Barnes Jr. (#2): The 5-foot-8, 155-pound is an athletic slot receiver with blazing speed (21.7 200-meter), ranks among Texas' fastest players in pads. His speed translates seamlessly, creating exciting opportunities in the passing game. Barnes recently decommitted from UNT and is looking at Washington State seriously.

Keep an eye on 2025 WR Cameron Smith (#8) and 2025 LB Charles Ross (#18), who are starting to break out on the recruiting scene. 

Duncanville

2025 WR Dakorien Moore (#1): The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder is rated as the No. 1 prospect in the state and is a DCTF five-star. The LSU commit is a route-running technician who threatens to score on every touch. Owning a sizzling 4.4 40-yard dash, Moore possesses the breakaway speed to leave defenders in the dust. He has also been providing meaningful snaps on defense at cornerback.

2024 DE Colin Simmons (#8): The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Texas Longhorns commit was the Defensive MVP of last year's state title game. Simmons terrorizes quarterbacks with his lightning-quick first step and relentless motor. The DCTF five-star holds Duncanville's single-season sack record (22.5) and helped lead the Panthers to a state title win in 2022, securing Defensive MVP honors. 

2026 DE Keith Ford Jr. (#10): The 6-foot-3, 225-pounder is recognized as the No. 1 player in the state per the 247Sports Composite, and he has already secured double-digit offers, including Baylor, Texas, Texas A&M Nebraska, Penn State and more. 

2026 TE Zach Turner (#9): The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder is one of the state's most physically imposing prospects, a flex with excellent blocking skills. He's unselfish in the run game and sets the edge for ball carriers. His tenacity and ability to create separation with physicality set him up as a bonafide red zone weapon. He's picked up recent offers from Texas, Texas A&M, LSU and Oklahoma. 

2024 RB Caden Durham (#29): The 5-foot-10, 185-pounder is known as the state's fastest running back, boasting impressive 10.25 100-meter speed. The LSU commit translates that speed into production, carving through defenses. His low center of gravity and acceleration make him a formidable challenge for tacklers, and when he finds an opening, he's a home-run threat.

2024 DT Alex January (#11): The 6-foot-4, 300-pounder typically stands out as the largest and most powerful presence on the field. Despite his height, he effectively maintains sound leverage, posing a significant mismatch for high school offensive linemen. He is the son of former Texas linebacker Mike January and will follow his father's footsteps to Austin.

2025 S Tyren Polley (#21): The 5-foot-11, 175-pounder is an intelligent defensive back with a knack for reading plays. He's often in the right place at the right time, disrupting passes and creating turnovers. Polley already has double-digit offers. 

2024 S KD Dotson (#2): The 6-foot-0, 180-pound SMU commit is a well-rounded safety with an innate ability to dash to the football and provide valuable run support. He has the coverage skills to play cornerback at the next level, making him a versatile defender. He raises his level of play when the spotlight is brightest. 2025 Duncanville DB Javion Holiday (#3) will join him in the secondary at SMU. 

2025 QB Keelon Russell (#12): The 6-foot-3, 180-pound signal caller is committed to SMU. He possesses a substantial upside. His quick and smooth release enables him to maintain composure in the pocket, delivering accurate deep passes to a talented wide receiver corps. Most importantly, he plays with poise.

2026 WR Ayson Theus (#4) is a fast-rising prospect with Arizona State and Nebraska offers. 2025 OL Desean Bryant (#50) is a super athletic Baylor commitment with a significant upside. 2025 OL Kam Newhouse (#51) reports ACU and Arizona State offers. 2025 S Nehemiah Borner (#24) has an offer from Texas Tech. 

6A Division II: DeSoto vs. Humble Summer Creek - 7:00 pm

DeSoto

2025 RB Tiger Riden (#1): The 5-foot-10, 190-pounder is rated as the No. 1 RB in the state in the 2025 cycle, and he has offers from all of the nation's heavy hitters. When he decides to change directions, it's with suddenness, making it extremely difficult for defenders to get a clean tackle. 

2025 WR Daylon Singleton (#13): The 5-foot-10, 165-pounder has emerged as the clear-cut number-one option in the DeSoto passing attack because he has the quick feet that help him get open. At times, the separation he creates is shocking. The SMU commit has 21.61 200-meter speed.

2027 WR Ethan "Boobie" Feaster (#18): The 6-foot-1, 170-pounder has already secured over 30 scholarship offers, so you can place him into the elite recruit category. He made a significant impact on day one as a varsity starter. Feaster is a ball-winning force with a long catch radius and a no-quit attitude.

2025 OL Byron Washington (#76): The 6-foot-8, 380-pounder is an imposing figure at left tackle (understatement). Improved footwork and a strong offseason made him an easy P5-caliber recruit. His sheer size and power are a brick wall for defenders looking to get past him. 

2024 LB Brandon Booker (#13): The 6-foot-1, 205-pound SMU commit's reputation as a high-level tackler is well-earned, as he excels in filling gaps and delivering powerful hits. His versatility extends to pass coverage, where he showcases a knack for creating turnovers.

2025 S Sael Reyes (#17): The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder has excellent open-field tackling skills. His aggressive style of play is an asset, both in run support and pass defense—the younger brother of Texas A&M defensive back Antonio Johnson. 

2025 DE/LB Keylan Abrams (#15): The 6-foot-1, 205-pound edge rusher has been on a torrid run throughout the playoffs and will climb up recruiting charts due to his fantastic play. Abrams is currently committed to Purdue. 

2024 QB DJ Bailey (#5): The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Sam Houston State commit is a highly efficient gunslinger who rarely makes a bad read or puts the ball in danger. Bailey is a proven winner, and his arm strength is notable. 

2024 CB Mario Buford (#2): The 6-foot-0, 175-pound Nebraska commit faces a consistent barrage of top-notch receivers, and even in practice, he competes against four and five-star opposition regularly, so he is battle-tested. 

2024 DE Jason Douglas (#48) is one of the top uncommitted defensive linemen in the state and was last year's Defensive MVP in the state title game. 2024 OL Ronnell "Snacks" McLain (#75) is a 6-foot-4, 310-pounder committed to Houston. 2024 LB Jamari Laye (#9)2024 DB Makali McLellar (#10), and 2024 WR Antonio "TJ" Pride (#7) are names to know. 

Humble Summer Creek

2024 LB Xavier Atkins (#6): The 6-foot-0, 205-pound LSU commit is a Mr. Texas Football finalist. Atkins was one of the most productive tacklers in Louisiana before transferring to Summer Creek for his senior season, where he quickly became known as one of the state's best linebackers. He has the requisite size and physicality to dominate in the box. 

2024 RB Lloyd Avant (#25): The 5-foot-10, 195-pound Tulsa commit has excellent cutback vision. His lateral quickness, ability to make quick cuts at full speed, lower body strength, and ability to break tackles stand out as strengths. 

2025 DE Chad Woodfork (#9): The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder is a pass-rushing specialist with the potential to be a sack monster. The UC Report Dallas OL MVP is a tremendous all-around athlete who runs track and can dunk a basketball flat-footed. The DCTF four-star boasts offers from Texas, Texas Tech, Georgia and more. 

2024 MLB Kyran Duhon (#33): The 6-foot-2, 235-pound defensive stalwart is a thumper with offers from Marshall, UAB, Washington State, Lamar, TAMU Commerce, UTRGV and more.

 

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