Cypress Ranch, led by William Blaylock, is a true program on the rise in the Lone Star State. Coming off a 10-3 season and an area championship, the team is loaded with elite talent, including 2028 OT R’Monie Edwards, who is considered the 247Sports Composite No. 1 prospect in Texas.

The future is bright as the Mustangs have a good young core.

“I’ve only been here two years, but these kids have bought in,” Blaylock said. “A lot of our young guys moved up during the playoffs and played special teams. They got those extra practices, and they’re ready.

They’re already talking about the future. They know how close we were,” Blaylock continued. “They know the talent we have. Now they’ve tasted it. There’s blood in the water. I think this next season is going to be special.”

Blaylock was the 16-6A Co-Coach of the Year.

2027

DL Amari Vickerson (6’4, 300): Vickerson has developed into a powerful interior defender who controls the point of attack and consistently disrupts the line of scrimmage. His motor and physicality demand attention, as he impacts the game even when he isn’t the one finishing the play.

“He can play three-technique. We played him a lot at nose. In a three-man front, he can play 4i or five.,” Blaylock said. “He can do it all. It just depends on what you run.”

As a junior, he racked up 48 tackles for 10.5 TFLS and 4.5 sacks to earn 16-6A First-Team All-District honors. On the recruiting front, he has announced a top five of Texas, Texas A&M, SMU, Michigan and Florida State. He is set to make his live commitment on January 18th at 6:30 p.m. on Dave Campbell’s Texas Football.

QB Braden Baker (6’5, 185): Baker delivered a standout junior season, earning 16-6A District MVP honors after throwing for 2,806 yards, accounting for 35 total touchdowns, while tossing just one interception. He holds offers from Baylor, Houston, San Diego State, Louisiana Tech and UTSA, with Houston and Baylor remaining the most consistent in their communication.

The younger brother of Louisiana Tech quarterback Blake Baker, he fits the modern quarterback profile with prototypical size, pocket poise and functional mobility.

“He’s the best pure quarterback I’ve ever coached,” Cypress Ranch head coach William Blaylock said.

DB Jacob Lee (6’0, 170): The First-Team All-District selection built off of a solid sophomore season where he was named Defensive Newcomer of the Year. Lee, who is also a star in baseball and basketball, has the skills to play on the island, showing solid footwork and the ability to mirror wide receivers in one-on-one scenarios and he also shows that he is a willing and able tackler versus the run and in the screen game. Lee has already received offers from programs like Miami (OH) and Western Kentucky, but we expect him to continue to generate interest throughout the evaluation window.

WR Manny Leyja (6’1, 180): A wide receiver who can play inside out/outside in using his size and catch radius across the middle to make tough catches in traffic, because of his long arms he plays taller than his listed measurables, but still has the ability to make plays underneath. Leyja is a big play weapon averaging over 20 yards per catch, corralling 42 receptions for 885 yards and 10 TDs to earn 16-6A First-Team All-District honors. Western Kentucky has offered.

WR Derrick McCullar II (5’11, 170): Working predominantly out of the slot, McCullar racked up 604 yards and six touchdowns to earn 16-6A Honorable Mention honors, showing a real feel for the game. Dynamic with the ball in his hands and adds value as a return specialist. Instinctive football player with above-average short-area quickness and escapability, capable of extending plays and creating after the catch.

More Names to Know: DB Tyrel Toney (5'10, 165), OL/DL Kaleb Murphy (6'3, 255)

2028

OL R’Monie Edwards (6’5, 310): As we mentioned above, Edwards is already rated as the No. 1 prospect in the state and checks all of the boxes to remain at the top of the rankings, including offers from Baylor, Houston, SMU, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Arizona State, Nebraska, Ole Miss and more.

“He’s big, athletic, and his ceiling is unreal,” Blaylock said.

“There are times he does things on the field where me and my line coach (both former Division I offensive linemen) just look at each other and say, ‘We couldn’t do that.’”

Edwards, who was the 2028 coverboy subject in Dave Campbell’s Rising magazine, has been selected to play in the Polynesian Bowl and was a Second-Team MaxPreps Second-Team All-American.  

RB Khristian White (5’10, 190): White quickly drew major recruiting attention once his film circulated, landing early offers from Texas, Texas Tech, Nebraska, and UTSA, with Houston recently adding an offer to make five and counting. As a sophomore, he rushed for 388 yards and eight touchdowns before an injury cut his season short. His continued development will be pivotal as the program pushes toward its next step, potentially forming a dynamic backfield alongside three-star QB Braden Baker. On tape, White flashes explosive burst, natural cutting ability, and decisive north-south acceleration. He’s a touchdown waiting to happen.

More Names to Know: ATH Parker Pierce (6’2, 170)

2029

ATH Antonio Murray (6’2, 170): Coaches at Cy Ranch are bullish on the program’s future, particularly within the Class of 2029, and Murray is already emerging on the recruiting radar. He has secured an early offer from UNLV and was named one of the Top 25 freshmen to watch in Dave Campbell’s Rising. A long, lean athlete with positional versatility, Murray’s ceiling as a defender stands out most, as his frame and athletic upside suggest significant long-term potential.

QB Jamal Tillman (6’2, 190): Tillman secured his first offer from the Brennan Marion-led staff at Sacramento State and his development is going to be important. He is the odds-on favorite to step in after Baker.

RB Tristan Blaylock (5'10, 150): “Champ” is the son of Cy-Ranch head coach William Blaylock and the younger brother of 2026 PVAMU signee William Blaylock II has already secured his first official offer from UTSA.

More Names to Know: DL Cameron Bledsoe, OL Blake Perkins, ATH Pierre Wyatt