The regular season kickoffs on Aug. 27, as teams across the Texas Panhandle and South Plains get set for another fun 2026 campaign. Here’s 40 football players to watch that will make a major impact across West Texas.
Julian Reese II, Palo Duro, 6-3, 200-pounds, QB, Sr.
In his first full year under center as a junior last fall, Reese II commanded the offense and was a huge part of Palo Duro’s success. Better known by his nickname “Deuce”, Reese II could beat teams with his feet just as easily with his arm which garnered the dual-threat QB District 2-5A Division II MVP honors. The Division I prospect hopes to build off a season where he threw for 3,053 yards with 31 touchdown passes and rushed for 449 yards with another 12 TDs.
Slade Russell, West Plains, 6-foot-1, 195-pounds, RB, Sr.
With many faces graduated, the dynamic Russell returns to lead the West Plains offense. Russell was the power that drove the bus thanks to his explosiveness and strength, as he could break one to the endzone at any given moment. Russell averaged an astonishing 10 yards a carry while rushing to 2,000 yards rushing on the year and 24 touchdowns in earning first team District 2-4A Division I honors in helping to lead the Wolves to their second straight unbeaten district championship.
Jaxon Lawler, Bushland, 6-foot-4, 270-pounds, OL-DL, Sr.
Coming off a UIL Class 3A state track and field championship in the shot put in May, Lawler carried his momentum into the summer by announcing that he has committed to continue his football career at the University of Oklahoma. The talented offensive lineman graded out at over 90 percent last season with 27 pancake blocks. Lawler also makes a hand on the defensive line with 48 tackles to go with four sacks.
Kyron Brown, Palo Duro, 6-2, 185-pounds, WR-LB, Sr.
The versatile Brown and University of Texas commit came into his own last season at any position he was asked to play for the Dons. Offensively, Brown was a key cog on the outside snagging 37 catches for 637 yards with seven touchdowns. Defensively, he was a menace off the edge with six sacks, and was outstanding on special teams.
Colton Mills, Dumas, 5-foot-10, 165-pounds, QB, Sr.
Back for one last ride, Mills begins his fourth year under center for the Demons and a trustworthy asset that has brought stability for head coach Aaron Dunnam throughout his high school career. The dual-threat QB has only gotten better and better by the season and don’t expect that to change entering final ride. Mills is a player that specializes in always keeping the play alive and never giving up. Last season, Mills showed how good he could be throwing for 2,342 yards with 26 touchdowns and ran for 797 yards with another 13 TDs. He’s already holds the school record for yards with 7,210 and 80 passing TDs.
Cooper Schilling, Perryton, 6-foot, 170-pounds, QB, Sr.
Schilling has solidified himself as one of the best to ever wear a Perryton Ranger uniform and top gunslinger in the Texas Panhandle. Entering his fourth year as the Rangers starting QB and is already the all-time leading passer in school history with 6,575 career passing yards to go alongside 68 career passing touchdowns. Last season as a junior, Schilling went 201-for-288 passing throwing for 2,682 yards with 27 TDs.
Gordo Estrada, Perryton, 5-foot-9, 160-pounds, WR, Sr.
The biggest compliment to Cooper Schilling is his blazing fast wide out Estrada. This duo is one of the top’s in all of Texas. Estrada had a breakout junior season with an even higher ceiling in 2026. A mismatch nightmare, Estrada made life miserable for secondaries last year, snagging 107 catches for 1,380 yards for 16 touchdowns.
Koleman Hendrix, Lubbock-Cooper Liberty, 6-foot-6, 235-pounds, TE, Jr.
Coming off a big season in 2025 and a very active spring and summer, the towering tight end has begin garnering attention from Division I colleges in the likes of Texas Tech, Texas A&M, and Arizona State to name a few. Hendrix has the size and the hands to be a huge weapon for coach Sexton’s team after coming down with 14 catches for 243 yards and five touchdowns last year.
AJ Huddleston, Idalou, 5-foot-10, 190-pounds, RB-LB, Sr.
Keep an eye on the Huddleston by seasons end. He is the type of athlete with Player of the Year potential written all over him. Huddleston established himself as a bruising back in a dominant run game for the Wildcats last year by chewing up 1,200 yards to go with 325 receiving yards, combining for 19 touchdowns. Huddleston is also a gritty linebacker that totaled 115 tackles, 10 of those for a loss.
Caden Bird, Abernathy, 5-foot-11, 165-pounds, RB-WR-DB, Sr.
Explosive and versatile barely scratches the surface when it comes to describing Bird. The Antelopes do-it-all standout can beat you running the ball, or getting open down field as a receiver. Look out in the secondary as well, because he’s liable to snag an interception. Last season, Bird was exceptional, tallying 1,300 all-purpose yards with 15 touchdowns.
Mason Lankford, Gruver, 6-foot-4, WR-DB, 180-pounds, Jr.
The multi-talented Lankford is one of the few returners at the skill position for the Greyhounds, but a huge asset to have back. With the length and speed, Lankford is dangerous in open space and highly dependable for new starting quarterback Jett Pittman. Despite missing time with injury last season, Lankford was still able to snag 37 catches for 753 yards with 14 touchdowns.
Grant Ladd, Amarillo High, 6-foot-4, 305-pounds, OL, Sr.
Returning to a solid foundation on the offensive front is a leader in Ladd. The three-year letterman not only has the size to push defenders around, but is highly intelligent and counted on by the coaching staff. Ladd is extremely athletic and a valuable asset in the Sandies system.
Coen Phillips, Tascosa, 6-2, 226-pounds, LB, Sr.
Phillips brings much needed stability and experienced to a defensive group that was hit hard by graduation. With inexperience at the front seven, Phillips will be a leader for this young Rebel defense. With size and speed, Phillips can cover the field from one sideline to the other. Last season, Phillips totaled 101 tackles with 48 of those solo tackles and three for a loss.
Brox Hacker, Canyon, 6-foot-2, 180-pounds, QB, Sr.
By the end of the 2025 season, Hacker became quite the household name in the Texas Panhandle. Leading a very physical Eagles offense, the dual-threat quarterback showed his toughness throughout the year. Hacker took over the starting role early and proved his worth going 111-of-183 passing for 1,866 yards with 16 touchdowns. He also ran for 817 yards with another eight scores.
Weston Mitchell, Canadian, 6-foot-1, 195-pounds, QB, Jr.
Mitchell is following in the footsteps of standout Canadian quarterbacks from the past after developing into one of the Texas Panhandle’s top passers thanks to a sensational sophomore year. In 13 games last season, Mitchell completed 215-of-324 passes for 3,291 yards with 39 touchdowns. Mitchell also showed he could scoot, rushing for 587 yards with another 10 scores.
Blake Moore, Lubbock-Cooper, 6-foot-1, 170-pounds, DB, Sr.
Arguably the fastest player at Lubbock-Cooper, boasting track time speed, Moore will be a big-time player in the secondary for a Pirates who expect to contend for a district title.
Cannon Richardson, Frenship, 6-foot-3, 220-pounds, DL-LB, Sr.
One team to keep an eye on dropping from Class 6A into Class 5A is the Frenship Tigers. The Tigers did lose a lot of key pieces from a playoff team last year, but do return Richardson. Richardson is a throwback type linebacker that has a IQ and nose for the football.
Dirk Soto, Frenship Memorial, 5-foot-10, 190-pounds, LB, Jr.
Frenship Memorial jumps into full-time varsity play after a year as a JV squad to open the school last season. As the Panthers enter a very tough District 2-5A Division I, head coach Jason Richardson will need ready players to step up. Soto is one of those assets. As a sophomore last year, Soto tallied 38 total tackles.
Jonah Reed, Lubbock Monterey, 6-foot-2, 215-pounds, QB, Sr.
As the season went on last year, Reed started getting more and more comfortable and became a very solid quarterback for the Plainsman. Reed is now a senior, and team leader and ready to lead Monterey in a very strong District 2-5A Division I. Reed finished last season throwing for 2,816 yards with 32 touchdowns and threw for over 400 yards in two contests.
Zach Bryant, West Texas High, 6-foot-2, 200-pounds, TE-LB, Jr.
West Texas High had a historic season last year going 14-1 and making a run to the UIL Class 2A Division I state semifinals. A lot has changed since then, with new head coach Hunter Ashley coming in and the loss of quarterback Cayde Winters. However, Zach Bryant returns as a team leader for the Comanches. Bryant has had a stellar offseason and is getting the attention at the college level. As a sophomore, the big target led WT High with 632 receiving yards with 13 touchdowns. He also registered 178 tackles.
Ivyrson McGuire, Lubbock Estacado, 5-foot-11, 180-pounds, DB-ATH, Sr.
Keeping up with the tradition of valuable team speed is McGuire. The versatile athlete is dangerous wherever head coach Eric Ward lines this young man up at any position. McGuire is also very good on defense and can win games on special teams.
Josue Sigala, Muleshoe, 5-foot-10, 175-pounds, ATH, Sr.
Sigala is a four-year varsity starter and is one of the more underrated players in the Texas Panhandle and on the South Plains. Last season, Sigala did anything asked of him for head coach Bo Dickinson, whether that was playing quarterback, running the football or making tackles. Sigala was very impressive rushing for 2,235 yards with 30 touchdowns.
Darius Jones, Stratford, 5-8, WR-DB, 175-pound, Sr.
Jones return as a part of a loaded Stratford Elk squad with high expectation under new head coach Stacey Alexander. The Elks are a favorite in Class 2A Division I Region I and with Jones it’s easy to see why. The explosive do-it-all weapon had a tremendous junior season, snagging 46 catches for an eye-opening 1,110 yards with 16 touchdowns. Jones also added 290 yards on the ground on 39 carries with eight more scores.
Cash Lofton, West Plains, 5-foot-11, 200-pounds, FB-LB, Sr.
The son of head coach Jeff Lofton is a throwback type linebacker that has a distinct nose for the football at all times. One of the few starters back on a defense that will look towards leadership, Lofton provides it. Last season, the hard-nosed Lofton led the team in tackles with 143 and was voted as an All-State selection by the Padilla Poll.
Zbastian Jara, Dumas, 6-1, 205-pounds, RB-DB, Sr.
Behind a physical and punishing offensive line comes a load at running back that is equally aggressive. With the size, speed and strength, Jara is the complete package and a huge compliment to Mills. Running with purpose anytime he touches the rock, Jara was able to have a breakout junior campaign by piling up 1,234 yards with 18 touchdowns. He was also a threat out of the backfield, snagging 27 catches for 395 yards and a pair of scores.
Logan Winn, Shallowater, 5-foot-9, 170-pounds, QB-DB, Sr.
Winn makes the transition from an explosive wide out to signal caller following the loss of Cooper Martin to graduation. The Versatile Winn is dangerous at whatever position he’s thrusted into. Winn can make the plays with his arm and is very dangerous in the open field with his speed. If needed, Winn is equally valuable in the kick return game.
Creed Cavalier, Amarillo High, 5-foot-11, 170-pounds, WR-DB, Sr.
The senior and soon-to-be three-year starter has served his legendary’s family name proud. Cavalier is a trusted defensive back the past two seasons and is coming off a breakout year as a junior with 90 tackles and picked off three passes with nine breakups.
Drayden Ray, Randall, 5-foot-7, 160-pounds, RB, Sr.
Ray took over the running back duties early last year and became the feature back for the Randall Raiders. Becoming a force by the week, the shifty Ray finished the season with 571 yards and six touchdowns. He also showed his ability to get out of the backfield snagging 28 catches for 271 yards with two more scores.
Jacob Herzberg, Panhandle, 6-foot, 235-pounds, OL-DL, Sr.
Herzberg is another in a long list of strong, physical Panhandle Panther lineman. Herzberg is one of the strongest players in the football program and leads the trenches on both sides of the ball. Last season as a junior, Herzberg graded out at 96 percent on the offensive line with 29 pancake blocks and 11 knockdowns without allowing a sack. On the defensive front, he tallied 42 tackles and four sacks.
Hudson Swan, 5-foot-10, 175-pounds, RB-DB, Sr.
One of the key returners on both sides of the ball is the veteran Swan. Last season, Swan helped lead a loaded backfield and is expected to do more of the same this season. Swan is the type of player that can do everything. Swan ended his junior year with 1,018 rushing yards to go with nine touchdowns and added 537 receiving yards with another 10 scores. He also racked up 90 tackles on the defensive side.
Lincoln Preston, New Home, 5-foot-11, 195-pounds, WR-DB, Sr.
The Leopards will look a lot different with the loss a big senior class, but Preston is a key piece that is returning. Preston can play at almost any spot for coach Jon Ward and is just as important on defense as he is at running back or receiver. Last season, Preston totaled 1,023 all-purpose yards with 12 touchdowns and racked up 78 tackles on defense.
Callen Kane, Wellington, 6-foot-2, 180-pounds, QB-DB, Sr.
The captain of the Skyrockets returns and is ready to carry on the proud tradition of Wellington football. the Districgt 5-2A Offensive MVP a year ago had a tremendous junior season completing 137-of-217 passes (63 percent) for 2,260 passing yards with 30 touchdowns for an offense that posted 38 points a game.
Brix Machen, Hereford, 6-foot-3, 185-pounds, WR, Sr.
Machen has the height and the vertical which makes him one of the most dangerous targets in West Texas. Add that with speed, and he’s the perfect target. Machen, a UIL Class 4A state qualifier in the high jump last spring, is hoping to improve off a junior campaign that saw him make 46 catches for 762 yards with eight touchdowns.
Koen Galligan, Childress, 6-foot, 175-pounds, QB, Sr.
Though his season started slow as a junior, Galligan found his groove and was able to gain confidence which helped the Bobcats win a gold ball while advancing to the second round of the UIL Class 3A Division II playoffs. Galligan can beat teams with his arm throwing for 2,275 yards last season as well as his feet. Head coach Bo Helm has liked what he’s seen from Galligan in the summer and knows his leadership will be valuable.
Alejandro Casas, Stratford, 6-foot-1, 205-pounds, RB-LB, Sr.
Get to know the name Alejandro Casas. Casas came on in a hurry during Stratford’s district and playoff run last season before an injury sidelined him. Casas is an extremely physical linebacker that had 156 tackles last season, and is a durable back that rushed for 431 yards with six scores.
Raymond Johnson V, Palo Duro, 5-10, 200-pounds, RB, Sr.
Johnson V may get a little overshadowed by behind such a loaded skill group Palo Duro possesses, but by the end of the 2026 season, Johnson will be household name. Behind a powerful offensive line, Johnson’s bruising style will bring balance to an already dangerous Dons offense. Last season, Johnson touched the ball 99 times, totaling 751 yards with 13 trips to the endzone.
Aaron Venzor, Dumas, 6-foot-4, 295-pounds, OL, Sr.
Venzor is mean and nasty in the trenches and backs it up every single snap. At 6-foot-4, and near 300-pounds, Venzor has the ability to push people around and create holes for a solid Dumas run attack. Making the move from guard to center is an adjustment but one Venzor welcomes. Last season, Venzor graded out at 86 percent to go with seven pancake blocks and didn’t allow a sack.
Canon Polivoda, Caprock, 6-foot, 160-pounds, WR-DB, Jr.
Caprock was just on the outside of a playoff spot last season and for the Longhorns to have any hope of the postseason this year, coach Rowdy Freeman will need a huge season from one of his leaders. Polivoda stepped up as a junior and became dependable on both sides of the ball catching 24 passes for 297 yards on offense and then made 36 tackles with four interceptions on defense. He’s also a strong asset on special teams.
Kaden Carpio, Dimmitt, 6-foot-, 180-pounds, QB, Sr.
Keep an eye on Dimmitt in 2026. Head coach Jimmy Arias and the Bobcats could turn some heads. Dimmitt is stacked in the backfield and Carpio is one of those outstanding players returning. The dual-threat quarterback came into his own as a junior throwing for 1,400 yards while rushing for 1,350 yards last year with a combined 25 touchdowns.
Kaleb Speer, Dalhart, 6-foot, 190-pounds, QB-DL, Sr.
Speer has big shoes to fill, taking over the quarterback duties left by Hunter Trusler. Speer is very dynamic player that is more than capable of taking over but he’s also one heck of a defensive asset. Last season, Speer was clutch for the Golden Wolves defense making 54 tackles.
