Now in its ninth year, Dave Campbell's Texas Football and Whataburger are once again teaming up to recognize the best and brightest in Texas high school football with the 2026 Whataburger Super Team.

This fall, fans from across the state will have the chance to nominate standout players for a spot on the 300-player ballot.

In November, voting will open at TexasFootball.com/WhataSuperTeam, where communities can rally behind their athletes to narrow the field from 300 nominees to the final 40 honorees, who will be announced in January 2027.

• READ MORE about the history of the Whataburger Super Team

Over the years, the Whataburger Super Team has celebrated some of the biggest names in football, including Kyler Murray (Allen HS, Minnesota Vikings), Garrett Wilson (Lake Travis HS, New York Jets), Marvin Mims (Frisco Lone Star HS, Denver Broncos), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Rockwall HS, Seattle Seahawks), Jordan Whittington (Cuero HS, Los Angeles Rams) and Caden Sterns (Cibolo Steele HS, Denver Broncos).

Preseason Super Team Defensive MVP

DT Jalen Brewster (6'3, 300) - Cedar Hill
Brewster is a massive interior defensive lineman with lightning-quick first-step quickness and legitimate pocket-collapsing ability. He plays with explosive get-off, heavy hands, and the strength to consistently reset the line of scrimmage. A proven national standout, he has earned Under Armour All-American honors and produced at a top level against premier 6A competition.

First Team Preseason Defense

DL: Cameron Hall (6'4, 265) - Mansfield Summit
Hall is a versatile defensive lineman who impacts both the run game and pass rush with strength, length, and positional flexibility. The district Defensive Player of the Year totaled 46 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks while showing the ability to play on the edge or slide inside as an interior presence.

DL: Zane Rowe (6'4, 250) - Denton Guyer
Rowe is a powerful, athletic defensive end with explosive get-off, strong short-area burst, and the versatility to rush from a two-point stance or with his hand in the dirt. The district MVP and Under Armour All-American produced 72 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and two interceptions. He is an offensive coordinator's nightmare.

DL: George Toia (6'2, 305) - Trophy Club Byron Nelson
A big, powerful force who can take on double teams and chew up blocks. He also has the ability to get behind the line of scrimmage and make plays as a disruptor. Toia moved to Texas from California during the 2025 season, quickly improving Byron Nelson’s defense while collecting 12 tackles for loss and seven sacks.

Edge: Kaden McCarty (6'2, 220) - Cypress Falls
McCarty is a true edge rusher with elite bend and eye-popping first-step quickness. He set Cy Falls’ single-game sack record in 2025 with a five-sack performance. His ability to turn the corner and pressure quarterbacks makes him a unique talent in this class and the state’s most dangerous pure pass rusher.

LB: Jhadyn Nelson (6'3, 215) - Houston Langham Creek
Nelson is an instinctive defender with the speed and range to play safety in high school and the physicality to trigger downhill with force. He recorded 59 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and three sacks while showing the ability to play in space or rush off the edge. His length and physical upside make him unique.

LB: Cooper Witten (6'1, 215) - Argyle Liberty Christian
The son of former Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten is an explosive linebacker with elite range and sideline-to-sideline speed. The DCTX five-star totaled 87 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and seven forced fumbles as a junior. He also brings 10.91 100-meter speed and checks every box: NFL pedigree, athletic versatility, and high-end upside.

DB: Eli Johnson (6'3, 190) - Cibolo Steele
A model of consistency in the Steele secondary, the DCTX four-star safety plays under control and rarely makes mistakes. He pairs steady execution with impact plays, including 15 tackles for loss last season. He has a massive frame with strong developmental upside but moves extremely well, covering like a corner in one-on-one scenarios.

DB: John Meredith III (6'2, 175) - North Crowley
The state’s No. 1 prospect has the ability to erase an opponent’s top wide receiver, and teams rarely want to test him. Meredith's size and frame give him a clear physical advantage, and he backs it with verified 4.41 laser-timed speed. The nation’s most elite college programs view the five-star as an instant impact talent.  

DB: Brandon Sherrard (6'2, 180) - Alvin Shadow Creek
Throw the ball in Sherrard’s direction at your own risk. Teams rarely challenge him because he consistently makes them pay. He has plus size and can play tight in press coverage or off the ball. His closing speed is what stands out on tape, with the ability to transition in and out of breaks with cat-like quickness.

DB: JayQuan Snell (6'2, 195) - Waxahachie
Snell is a head-hunting safety known for delivering punishing hits and setting the tone in the secondary. His physical style and aggressive trigger draw natural stylistic comparisons to former NFL star Sean Taylor. He delivered a district-clinching win over Duncanville last season with a game-sealing hit that defined his reputation as a high-impact enforcer.

Utility: Jaiden Fields (6'1, 200) - Hutto
One of the state’s top defensive backs, he also has experience on the offensive side of the ball, giving him two-way value at the next level. He is being recruited by Power Four programs at safety and wide receiver. The DCTX four-star was the 25-6A Overall MVP after a standout junior season, consistently producing big performances.

Second Team Preseason Defense

• DL: Ezekiel Ayangbile (6'2, 265) - Houston Langham Creek
• DL: Raiden Cook (6'6, 270) - Barbers Hill
• DL: Khyren Haywood (6'1, 250) - Denton Guyer
• DL: Amari Vickerson (6'4, 290) - Cypress Ranch
• Edge: Xavier Muhammad (6'4, 225) - South Houston
• LB: JaMarquis Hudson (6'2, 200) - Port Arthur Memorial
• LB: Braylon Williams (6'1, 215) - Arlington Lamar
• DB: Karnell James (6'1, 170) - Manvel
• DB: Taelyn Mayo (6'4, 185) - Lewisville
• DB: Montre Jackson (6'1, 175) - Garland Lakeview Centennial
• DB: Jerry Outhouse Jr. (6'1, 180) - North Crowley
• Utility: Dhillon McGee (6'1, 175) - DeSoto

Third Team Preseason Defense

• DL: Sedrick Marsh (6'5, 235) - Waxahachie
• DL: Jason Johnson (6'4, 285) - Humble Atascocita
• DL: K'Adrian Redmond (6'4, 300) - DeSoto
• DL: Finn Walker (6'7, 245) - Conroe Oak Ridge
• Edge: Brayden Booth (6'5, 215) - South San Antonio
• LB: Bryce Breeden (6'1, 210) - Bridge City
• LB: Cade Haug (6'1, 210) - Katy
• DB: Trenton Blaylock (6'2, 175) - Humble Atascocita
• DB: Davontrae Kirkland (6'1, 180) - Waco University
• DB: Mikhail McCreary (6'1, 170) - San Antonio Johnson
• DB: Isaiah Udom (6'0, 180) - South Oak Cliff
• Utility: Hunter Haug (6'2, 195) - Smithson Valley