The regular season kickoffs on Aug. 28, as teams across the Texas Panhandle and South Plains get set for another fun 2025 campaign. Here’s 40 football players to watch that will make a major impact across West Texas.

Reid Macon, West Plains, 6-0, 175-pound, QB, Sr.

Minus the first half of the first game in program history four years ago, Macon is the only starting quarterback the Wolves have ever had. Macon has taken that job seriously and run with it tallying an incredible 30-10 record as the starting quarterback while becoming one of the top passers in the entire state. Macon turned it up a level last year as the reigning Press Pass Sports 2024 Player of the Year threw for 3,528 yards with 36 touchdowns.

Darien Lewis, Palo Duro, 6-1, 205-pounds, ATH, Sr.

One of Amarillo’s most high-profile players had a very high-profile summer when he committed to play for the University of North Carolina and future Hall of Fame head coach Bill Belichick. Lewis caught the attention of the Tar Heels with his versatile style of play and his ability to lineup at any position on the field. The Dons leader tallied 18 rushing touchdowns and over 500 yards receiving as a junior last season and is just as deadly on defense.

Broxton Robinson, Panhandle, 6-1, 190-pounds, QB-LB, Sr.

Robinson has been the standard at Panhandle entering his third year as the starting quarterback and linebacker. The extremely talented athlete even had a tremendous summer by announcing to continue his football career at Army. The Panther’s heart and soul has started 24 games under center and at linebacker. Throughout his high school career, Robinson has thrown for 4,442 yards, rushed for 2,772 yards for a combined 101 touchdowns. He’s also made 183 career tackles.

Krush Johnson, Tascosa, 6-5, 280-pounds, DL, Sr.

The Texas Tech commit lived up to his name crushing anyone in his way plugging the middle for the Tascosa defensive line. Johnson was a menace for the Rebels making 40 tackles on the year despite taking on constant double team blocks.

Keegan Collins, West Plains, 6-6, 285-pounds, OL-DL, Sr.

The Kansas State commit was a 2024 All-State selection and earned a reputation as one of the top lineman not only in the Texas Panhandle but across the state with his weekly play. Gifted with size, Collins put in the work and made life miserable for defensive lineman grading out at 97 percent with 49 pancake blocks.

Jett Lopez, 6-1, Amarillo High, 200-pounds, QB, Sr.

It was a breakout season for Lopez, who led an explosive Sandies offense that averaged 42 points a game while putting his name in the school record books. Lopez enters his senior season garnering state-wide attention after putting up 3,007 yards passing with 36 touchdown passes last year.

Chase Campbell, Frenship, 6-2, 185, WR, Sr. 

Frenship’s dynamic receiver had multiple Division I offers but has decided to stay in Lubbock and play for Texas Tech. Campbell is a human highlight reel, and he proved that last season making 78 catches for 1,458 yards with 18 touchdowns. It was his second straight 1,000-yard receiving season. He also had six rushing TDs.

Colton Mills, Dumas, 5-10, 160-pounds, QB, Jr.

Mills has worked quickly already becoming the all-time leading passer in Dumas football history as just a sophomore already throwing for 4,887 yards. Mills took it up a level as a sophomore last year throwing for 3,016 yards with 33 touchdowns. As a junior, coach Dunnam and the Demons already look at Mills as a leader.

Cedric Ross, Lubbock Estacado, 5-8, 170-pounds, ATH, Sr. 

With the Matadors made up of a lot of speed, add Ross to that list. He’s a major weapon that can play any position asked. Last year, Ross, a Colorado State commit, rushed for 349 yards with five touchdowns and had 32 catches for 342 yards with four more scores. He also added five more scores on the special teams unit.

Drayven Patton, Randall, LB, 5-9, 215-pounds, Sr.

The reigning District Defensive MVP is a menace to opposing teams. He is as strong as they come and has a motor that never stops. Patton, the captain and leader of the Raiders racked up 76 tackles last season, 24 of which were solo, to to with two forced fumbles.

Sione Vaea, Lubbock-Cooper, 6-0, 250-pounds, DL, Sr.

Vaea leads a very good defensive front as one of the top edge rushers on the South Plains. Vaea has the size, and the quickness which makes him a nightmare for offensive tackles. Last season, Vaea tallied 90 tackles and posted an eye-popping nine sacks.

Briggs Satterfield, Gruver, 6-1, 170-pounds, QB, Sr.

Since taking the reins at quarterback three years ago, all Satterfield knows is winning. In 28 career starts he’s 24-4 as a starter and has worked himself into one of the top signal callers in the Texas Panhandle and across the state at the small school level. The dual-threat QB is nearing 5,000 career passing yards currently sitting at 4,753 with 58 career touchdowns. He’s also rushed for 1,772 yards in his three years with 28 TDs.

Jaxon Lawler, Bushland, 6-4, 250-pounds, OL-DL, Jr.

Lawler has made major strides in the offseason and over the summer and he’s starting to catch the attention of Division I scouts across the country. Lawler has great size; he’s explosive and coach Reynolds is optimistic this is going to be a breakout year for the junior.

Keima’j Barnes, Palo Duro, 5-10, 200-pounds, LB, Sr.

Though he isn’t the biggest on the field, Barnes is a menace to the opponent’s offense with his speed and style of play at the linebacking position. Barnes, a Press Pass Sports linebacker last season, was one of the top players in the Amarillo-area racking up 176 tackles.

Coltyn Fulton, Tascosa, 6-1, 185-pounds, QB, Sr.

Fulton is completely healthy after missing a portion of last year due to an injury. He’s also the first three-year starter in this option offense under head coach Ken Plunk, so they’ll be no doubt the veteran knows the offense inside and out. Fulton, who rushed for 1,106 yards a year ago, has leaned up, he’s speedy and has a cannon for an arm.

Seth Mayberry, Plainview, 5-10, 180-pounds, QB, Sr. 

Mayberry flies under the radar, but when it’s all said and done, he’ll be one of the best to wear a Bulldog uniform. The four-year starter has been the heart and soul of the Bulldogs. Mayberry has broken every school record throwing for 6,552 yards in his career, with 50 touchdowns, and has 559 completions.

Oliver Parsons, Amarillo High, 6-0, 175-pounds, WR, Sr.

Parsons helped make himself and Lopez an extremely dangerous 1-2 combination. Parsons has great speed and is a matchup nightmare. As a junior, the lengthy receiver snagged 48 catches for 708 yards with 10 touchdowns.

Boston Ladd, West Plains, 5-10, 165-pounds, WR-DB, Sr.

Ladd is a Swiss Army Knife for head coach Adam Cummings and always delivers when called upon. As a receiver, Ladd made 37 catches for 415 yards with four TDs, but it was his defense that shined. Ladd can play multiple defensive positions racking up 84 tackles with six interceptions.

Campbell Stanek, Lubbock Coronado, 5-10, 160-pounds, WR, Sr.

Expect big things from Stanek this season for a Coronado team that will be battling for a playoff spot in District 2-5A Division I. The reigning District Newcomer of the Year is hoping to capitalize off a junior season that saw him snag 38 catches for 655 yards.

Cam Taylor, Lubbock Monterey, 6-2, 180-pounds, WR, Sr. 

One thing new Lubbock Monterey head coach Jason Sims had to be thrilled about when he took over the program is seeing Cam Taylor still had a year of eligibility left. Taylor has great speed and size on the outside. As a junior last season, Taylor caught 51 passes for 831 yards with 12 touchdowns.

Kane White-Tinsley, West Plains, 6-1, 175-pounds, Sr.

White-Tinsley can is a dangerous threat on the outside and a playmaker on the defensive side. Offensively, White-Tinsley caught 64 passes for 1,064 yards with 12 touchdowns. In the secondary, White-Tinsley was a force racking up 55 tackles with an eye-popping nine interceptions.

Kaison Benton, Randall, QB, 6-foot, 185-pounds, Sr.

Benton is one of only a few starters back on the offensive side of the ball which means his leadership role grows even larger. Benton made major strides as a junior last year putting himself in the conversation as one of the top gunslingers in the Texas Panhandle throwing for 2,622 yards with 26 touchdowns. He also ran for another 418 yards with eight scores. 

Cooper Schilling, Perryton, 6-0, 160-pounds, QB, Jr.

Schilling has put his name on the map in two years and still has two years to go. Schilling is the definition of a gunslinger and one of the premiere quarterbacks in the Texas Panhandle. Through his freshman and sophomore seasons, Schilling has already thrown for over 3,900 yards with 42 passing touchdowns. He’s also rushed for 1,300 yards with another 25 TDs.

Kalub Ramirez, Hereford, 5-10, 175-pounds, QB, Sr.

While Hereford has to replace holes left from a massive senior class the quarterback position isn’t one of them. Ramirez brings stability to the offense entering his fourth year as the Whiteface signal caller already making 28 career starts. Ramirez was masterful last season piling up 2,527 yards with a completion percentage of 61 percentage finishing with 18 touchdown tosses.

Cayde Winters, West Texas High, 5-8, 185-pounds, QB-LB, Sr.

After missing his entire sophomore season with an injury, Winters showed his capabilities last season as a junior helping West Texas High to seven wins and a playoff appearance. The dual-threat quarterback is sneaky quick and scary in the open field. On the ground, Winters toted the rock 205 times for 1,704 yards with 31 touchdowns. He also threw for 1,098 yards with 16 more TDs.

Hunter Trusler, Dalhart, 6-2, 180-pounds, QB-DB, Sr.

Trusler did a tremendous job filling in at quarterback last season when Kyler Read when down with an injury in Week 2. Not expected to play QB, Trusler ran with the role leading the Golden Wolves to the playoffs throwing for 1,781 yards with 18 touchdowns. Defensively, Trusler is just as good in the secondary totaling 66 tackles.

Slayden Dickinson, Canadian, 5-11, 175-pounds, RB-DB, Sr.

Dickinson put his name on the Texas Panhandle map last season with a breakout campaign that saw him rush for 1,629 yards with 20 touchdowns. Coach Cavalier is looking for Dickinson to now move into a bigger role as a leader and carry on that success this season.

Josue Sigala, Muleshoe, 5-10, 165-pounds, ATH, Jr.

Before an injury sidelined Sigala midway through the season last year, he was on pace for some big-time numbers. Just through five games, Sigala had already had 536 yards rushing with seven touchdowns. Sigala is expected to be cleared soon and back on the field in September. He’s as explosive as they come and a matchup nightmare because of his speed.

Cooper Martin, Shallowater, 6-0, 185-pounds, QB, Sr. 

The reigning District 1-3A Division I Offensive MVP is back and so are the expectations for the Mustangs. Martin took over the quarterback role last season and ran with the job throwing for 1,708 yards with 22 touchdowns while tacking on 633 yards rushing with five more scores.

Victor Flores, Gruver, 5-9, 185-pounds, LB, Sr.

Flores made an immediate impact at the linebacker position for the Greyhounds last season. He isn’t the biggest but can fly all over the football field and has a nose for the ball. Flores tallied 127 tackles a year ago, 21 of those for a loss with three sacks.

Colton Bichard, Lubbock-Cooper Liberty, 6-1, 160-pounds, QB, Sr. 

Liberty’s football team is a year older and expected to make major strides in 2025. Bichard is going to have to be that leader to help the Patriots make that push. Bichard is looking to build off a junior year that saw him throw for 1,243 yards with 17 touchdowns.

Dalton Martin, New Deal, 5-10, 190-pounds, LB, Sr. 

The captain of the Lions defense is back and ready to roll. Martin was all over the field on almost every single play for New Deal last season making 146 total tackles to go with a sack. Head coach Matt Hill loves Martin’s work ethic, his leadership and the overall way he plays the game.

Colby Cook, New Home, 6-2, 205-pounds, WR-LB, Sr.

New Home has a player in Cook that is not only a leader but a gamechanger on both sides of the ball. On the offensive side, Cook can stretch a defense snagging 24 catches for 534 yards with seven touchdowns last year. On the defensive side, he’s just as good at linebacker after racking up 115 tackles with a sack.

Chase Lantelme, Stratford, 6-1, 170-pounds, QB-DB, Jr.

Lantelme had quite the breakout sophomore season for the Elks especially on the defensive side of the ball. the 6-foot-1 sophomore was a ballhawk in the Stratford secondary as one of the state’s top defenders picking off nine passes on top of 68 tackles. On the offensive side, Lantelme came into his own at quarterback throwing for over 1,300 yards.

Noah Cantu, Wellington, 5-10, 180-pounds, RB-LB, Sr.

The Skyrockets replace quite a few pieces, but they do return the top rusher in Cantu. The hard-nosed back piled up 628 yards last season with 12 touchdowns and will be a huge leader entering 2025. Cantu is also a key cog at linebacker finishing the year with 90 tackles.

Jackson Graves, Wheeler, 6-4, 250-pounds, DL, Sr.

Graves had a breakout season as a junior being an absolute menace off the edge. He was near unlockable to an offensive lineman he faced spending most of his time in opponents’ backfields. Graves totaled 108 tackles, 51 of those for loss and racked up an eye-popping 18 sacks.

Xavier Vargas, Caprock, 5-10, 170-pounds, RB-DB, Sr.

Vargas established himself as the workhorse for Caprock last season and has carried that leadership into the summer and into fall camp. Last season, the bruising running back rushed for 660 yards with three scores and will have an even bigger role in 2025.

Bayler Schilling, Canyon, WR-DB, 6-2, 185-pounds, Sr.

Though he missed most of last season with an injury, the multi-sport standout is healthy and full go for his senior year. Schilling brings a much-needed dynamic to the outside for the Eagles. In limited action last season, Schilling hauled in 18 catches for 311 yards.

Creed Newkirk, Wheeler, 5-11, 190-pounds, QB, Sr.

The four-year starter has learned to lead by example by not only by his play but by his high standard of holding his teammates accountable. Newkirk had a very strong career at Wheeler starting in 24 games combining for 2,979 yards rushing and passing.

Jacob Mora, Childress, 6-0, 180-pounds, WR-LB, Sr.

One key piece returning that coach Bo Helm is excited about is Mora. The leader of the Bobcat defense is back and ready to make an impact. The hard-hitting Mora has a motor, a high football IQ, and goes sideline to sideline. Last season, Mora led Childress with 130 tackles to go with a pair of sacks.