Realignment could always shake out in a number of different ways, but using Matt Stepp's 5A Division I Mock Realignment as a guide, we put pen to paper and tried to figure out where some of the talent hotbeds are going to be in 2026. There are a couple of scenarios that could push teams here or there that could completely flip the narrative when the actual realignment comes.

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District 7-5A Division I: Mansfield Legacy, Mansfield Summit, Cedar Hill, Lancaster, De Soto, Midlothian, Crandall

Three programs enter this district from 11-6A’s “District of Doom” in Cedar Hill, DeSoto, and Lancaster. All three bring not only strong depth, but also elite, top-end talent.

Cedar Hill is home to five-star 2027 DL Jalen Brewster, who left the Under Armour All-America Game being touted as the top overall prospect in attendance regardless of classification. Not a bad honor considering he was just a junior. Brewster is a rare athlete and will even get carries out of the Cedar Hill backfield at times. He is already committed to Texas Tech.

DeSoto remains loaded, but the name that caught fire during the playoffs was 2027 RB Sarod Baker. Baker put up video-game numbers while leading the Eagles to a 6A Division II state title. Offers have poured in from programs across the country as a result of his postseason run, and he is already rated as a DCTX four-star prospect.

Lancaster is home to 2028 ATH James Foster III, who has been making plays since the first varsity game of his freshman season. He is a five-star candidate in his class and is already rated as the No. 2 prospect in the state by 247Sports. Baylor, Houston, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Ole Miss are among his early offers.

Mansfield Summit features 2027 DE Cameron Hall, who is on track to finish as one of the state’s most highly recruited edge rushers. Crandall is home to 2027 WR Jeremiah Douglas, who is already verbally committed to Vanderbilt. Midlothian has produced prospects at a high level under head coach Doug Wendel, and 2028 WR Brendyn Jackson is next in line to emerge.

District 9-5A Division I: Beaumont West Brook, Port Arthur Memorial, Lufkin, Beaumont United, New Caney, Spring Westfield, Baytown Sterling, Goose Creek Memorial, La Porte

This district would be off the rails.

Port Arthur Memorial fell just short of the state title game last season and will have to replace a significant amount of talent. Still, 2027 LB JaMarquis Hudson is an absolute force, and his recruitment is starting to catch up to his tape. He has secured a number of high-profile offers over the past couple of weeks after playing in the Navy All-American Bowl. Houston, Arizona State, Kansas, Oklahoma State and Vanderbilt have all come in, but keep a close eye on his offer list. Hudson is going to be playing for one of the nation’s best programs by the time the dust settles and has a chance to finish rated higher than even some of his Class of 2026 teammates who signed with programs like Texas A&M and TCU.

La Porte is absolutely loaded with young talent that is now considered veteran. 2028 RB Sean Simon has been a consistently impactful player and holds a number of major offers, including Houston, TCU, SMU, Texas Tech, Nebraska, Florida State and more. 2028 WR Peyton Smith carries many of the same offers and is a true outside threat with a 6-foot-2 frame and a large catch radius.

Beaumont West Brook is home to a couple of fun prospects in 2027 DE Kailon Walker and 2027 QB/ATH Tammeron Anderson. Spring Westfield’s 2027 DE Antonio Underwood and 2027 LB Davon Smith will keep the Division I train rolling for the Mustangs. Underwood is already committed to Texas Tech.

District 12-5A Division I: College Station A&M Consolidated, Pflugerville Hendrickson, College Station, Killeen Shoemaker, Georgetown, Pflugerville Weiss, Killeen, Pflugerville Connally

All of these programs will continue to place Division I players in college each year.

Pflugerville Weiss has turned into an absolute force, with top prospects on both sides of the ball. It’s difficult to even decide who the top prospect on the roster is. 2027 WR Tre Moore holds 40 scholarship offers, earning him the early nod, but 2028 LB Tylan Henderson is an unbelievable talent with rare speed on defense. Freshmen 2029 OL Cade Miller and 2029 DT Jarrell Scott both made significant impacts, so you can bet college coaches will be frequent visitors here for years to come.

Killeen is home to 2027 OT Avery Timms, who already holds offers from programs such as Baylor and Arkansas, among others. College Station A&M Consolidated featured a young and impressive roster full of potential breakout stars, but 2027 RB Ja’Marion Mooring has already separated himself. He owns offers from Pitt, Texas State and UTSA.

More Mock Districts to Know

District 11-5A Division I:
Angleton, Pasadena, South Houston, Galveston Ball, Friendswood, Katy Freeman, Richmond Randle, Alvin Iowa Colony, Fort Bend Dulles

District 8-5A Division I:
Dallas Adams, Dallas Sunset, Dallas White, Tyler, Mesquite, North Mesquite, West Mesquite, Garland Naaman Forest