2025 Texas 7-on-7 State Tournament Day 1 Notebook

Caught up with Lexington 2026 QB Kase Evans for comment on his Oklahoma State commitment: “The culture is amazing. Coach (Mike) Gundy tells his assistant coaches to coach the players like they’re their own sons. In Oklahoma State, a lot of people that have gone to school there or played there always want to come back and coach under Gundy. That’s just saying a lot when they have alumni that come back and want to coach.” (Carter Yates)

Cuero 2026 WR Walker Dietze (6-2, 185) had 31 catches through three games of pool play, 13 of which were a touchdown or two-point conversion. He showed off technical route running and jump-ball ability (he high-pointed a post over two defenders). Dietze finished last season with 1,231 yards and 19 touchdowns, earning First Team All-State honors. This season, he will play both ways as a wide receiver and cornerback. Dietze has improved his 40-yards dash time to a 4.62, which was one of the few questions about his projection to the DI level. While offerless as of now, he is on the radar of in state schools like UTEP, TCU, Baylor, Rice and UTRGV. (Yates)

Kenedy 2029 ATH Dylan Russell looked right at home on a varsity 7-on-7 field despite not having taken a high school course yet. The incoming freshman had five touchdown catches, showing great tracking ability on the long balls. He also had two interceptions from his safety spot, one for a pick-six. Russell is 6’0, 160 and ran a verified 4.47 at a TCU camp this offseason. (Yates).

Tyler Chapel Hill 2026 WR Damarcion Blaylock was among the most explosive players in the field. Blaylock made multiple highlight reel catches in the Bulldogs come from behind win over Columbia to start pool play. Blaylock gets in and out of breaks without slowing down, has big-time leaping ability and good hands. Chapel Hill went 3-0 on Day 1 to win Pool E. (Matt Stepp)

Columbia 2026 ATH Mudassir Abdallah: The Roughnecks two-way superstar does a little bit of everything for Columbia, he’ll line up in the backfield, at receiver and he calls the signals on defense. He made a highlight reel diving interception that was called back due to a four-second call in Columbia’s close loss to Chapel Hill. (Stepp)

Paris 2026 WR Markeljric Finch: An under-the-radar prospect, Finch had a monster game in helping Paris knock off Cuero 37-36 in pool play. Finch hauled in two long touchdowns and made several other key catches and he picked off Cuero’s last gasp attempt on the game’s final play. He’s about 6’2 with a good frame, and a solid route-runner as well. Paris went 2-1 on the day, finishing second in a tough pool. (Stepp)

They may have come up short in the 4A DI State Title game last season, but Kilgore is ready for the return. The Bulldogs went 3-0 on Day One of the 2025 Texas 7-on-7 State Tournament, and their loaded roster is not something to mess with. With the departure of Jayden Sanders to Michigan, the secondary unit didn’t miss a beat with ’26 ATH La’Keyleon Graves and ’26 S Jakalen Sheffield leading the way and making an impact on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Kayson Brooks returns as a senior, throwing for 3,673 yards and 43 touchdowns in his junior campaign, and he looks the part. (Mallory Hartley)

Frisco Panther Creek 2026 ATH Jalen Lott: Lott dominated the action on day, including a sick one-handed catch for a TD. He is closing in on his July 8 decision between Texas, LSU, Oregon and USC. (Greg Powers)

The Austin LBJ Secondary: The senior group of Tre Riley, Javaryln Smith, Antoine Baker, Cincere Robertson and Louis Hickman had a very strong day, and all possess unique skill sets that make them special. If you're still looking for a great DB in the 2026 class, then Austin LBJ is the spot. (Powers)

Frisco Panther Creek 2026 S Donovan Webb: I usually avoid highlighting multiple players from one team, but Webb stood out quickly as one of the best. His two-way talent makes the Panthers a legitimate threat in 7-on-7 and a serious 4A Division I title contender. (Powers)

Waco La Vega 2026 DB MarQwae Willis: The 6-foot, 170-pound standout locked up on defense and added key offensive reps. He holds an offer from Arkansas State, but more schools should be paying attention. (Powers)

*Oklahoma State WR commit Jabarie Thornton was also one of the top overall performers (Powers)