The Five Strongest Players Returning to TXHSFB in 2026

The following players are listed in no particular order.

Honorable Mention: AJ Dewberry, Troup OG

Dewberry (6-foot-2, 313 pounds) is a four-year starter on Troup’s offensive line who earned TSWA Class 3A Second Team All-State honors at guard. The two-way star graded at 97 percent on offense while racking up 12 tackles for loss, four sacks, and two blocked kicks on the defensive line. His metrics as a track and field star and powerlifter illustrate why he’s been so dominant on the gridiron. Dewberry won a District gold medal in the discus (172 feet) and shot put (48-feet-4). For reference, that discus throw would’ve earned a Class 3A bronze medal at last year’s UIL State Track and Field Meet. Dewberry squats 670 pounds, benches 435 pounds, and deadlifts 550 pounds.

Khelvy Jefferson, West Orange-Stark RB

On a pound-for-pound basis, Jefferson is the strongest player in TXHSFB. The 5-foot-3, 165-pound running back squats 550 pounds. For reference, that is more weight than two state powerlifters in the 242-pound weight class squatted. Jefferson’s father, Shelvy, was a linebacker on West Orange-Stark’s 2000 state finalist team and currently serves as the program’s strength and conditioning coach. Coach Hiawatha Hickman says that he’ll come to the fieldhouse at 11:00 p.m. to grab something he forgot and see father and son working out together. 

If that bar can’t keep Jefferson down, it’s no wonder opposing defenses haven’t been able to, either. Jefferson became West Orange-Stark’s all-time leading rusher as a junior with 4,208 career yards.

Peyton Miler, Anna C

Miller is the No. 1-ranked center in the state of Texas, but he could also be a Division I wrestler. The 6-foot-5-inch prospect earned a silver medal at the UIL State Wrestling Tournament in the Class 5A, 285-pound division. Miller was the District 4-5A DII Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year and has over 30 offers. He’ll be the headliner on a strong offensive line for Anna in 2026, which also includes Second Team All-District pick LaShem Nyante.

Ismael Camara, Gilmer OT

They call Camara the ‘French Freak’ because he was built in a lab. The 6-foot-6-inch, 340-pound offensive tackle REPPED 705 pounds three times in the squat rack. Camara didn’t get to play varsity football until his junior season after moving from Le Mans, France. But he made up for lost time in 2025 with 170 pancake blocks, zero sacks allowed, and a 98 percent grade. Camara is the No. 6-overall player in the DCTX Hot 100 with nearly 40 offers.

Michael Pugh Jr., Dickinson RB

Pugh pushed Dickinson to its first Class 6A powerlifting state title with a silver medal in the 198-pound division. The junior had a 615-pound squat, a 500-pound bench press, and a 590-pound deadlift. Dickinson must replace RB Malachi Gamble, who rushed for 2,133 yards in two years as a varsity starter. After a strong offseason, literally, look for Pugh to factor into the backfield equation.

Colby Rao, Pearland 

Rao (6-foot-1, 330 pounds) is a three-year starter on and back-to-back First Team All-District 22-6A selection on Pearland’s offensive line. He totaled 1,715 pounds at the THSPA State Powerlifting meet with a 650-pound squat, 540-pound bench, and 525-pound deadlift. He is one of four All-District performers returning on Pearland’s offensive line in 2026.