Texas high school football: Top 25 uncommitted prospects

These players are still weighing their options when it comes to choosing a college

With the 2023 football season fast approaching, several of the top Texas high school football players have already made their college commitments official.

On the flip side, there are still other players across the Lone Star State that have yet to decide where they want to play at the next level. So with that in mind, here are some of the state’s top uncommitted players heading into this season.

This list is in alphabetical order. If anyone else should be on it, let us know by emailing andy@scorebooklive.com or tagging us on Twitter or Instagram @SBLiveTx and state your case.

Frankie Arthur (5-10, 190), RB, 2024, Conroe Oak Ridge

Rating: 4-star (247 Sports, ESPN, On3), 3-star (Rivals).

Arthur rushed for 1,445 yards on 159 carries with 18 touchdowns as a junior. He was also a capable receiving threat, snagging 19 passes for 250 yards and two TDs. Arthur has received offers from in-state schools like Baylor, SMU, Houston and Texas Tech along with out-of-state schools including Georgia Tech, Kansas and Cotton Bowl champion Tulane.

Kobe Black (6-0, 190), CB, 2024, Waco Connally

Rating: 5-star (247 Sports, On3), 4-star (ESPN, Rivals)

Black was a first-team All-District 11-4A D-II selection his junior season as both a cornerback and receiver. He caught 19 passes for 305 yards and five touchdowns and on defense, Black picked off two passes - both going for TDs - while breaking up nine passes. Alabama, Ohio State and Texas are among his top choices.

Selman Bridges (6-3, 170), CB, 2024, Lake Belton

Rating: 4-star (247 Sports, On3, Rivals, ESPN)

Bridges picked off two passes last season, running one back for a TD, while recording 42 tackles and breaking up six passes his junior year. Among the top schools on his list are Texas and TCU along with out-of-state schools like Alabama, Arkansas and USC.

Terry Bussey (5-11, 180), ATH, 2024, Timpson

Rating: 5-star (On3, 247 Sports), 4-star (ESPN, Rivals)

One of the more intriguing talents in the state, Timpson plays not only football but also basketball and baseball while running track. In fact, he was the 2A state triple jump champion this past spring. But football is likely his future calling, as he has been his district’s MVP each of the past two seasons and was the district offensive MVP his freshman season. Last season, he rushed for nearly 2,600 yards and accounted for 80 total TDs, including on defense and special teams. Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, LSU and Alabama appear to be his top five suitors.

Caden Durham (5-9, 180), RB, 2024, Duncanville

Rating: 4-star (247 Sports, On3, Rivals, ESPN)

Durham rushed for 1,960 yards on 210 carries and 36 TDs for the eventual Class 6A Division I state champs. In June, he made official visits to Texas A&M, Texas-San Antonio, Michigan State and Oklahoma. LSU and Auburn are among the other handful of schools that have offered him.

Michael Fasusi (6-4, 285), OL, 2025, Lewisville

Rating: 4-star (247 Sports, On3, Rivals), 5-star (ESPN).

Primarily a tackle, Fasusi was selected the District 6-6A top offensive newcomer as a sophomore last season. He already holds offers from numerous schools, ranging from in-state teams Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, TCU and SMU to elite programs like Ohio State, Alabama, Oregon and LSU.

Corian Gipson (6-0, 170), S, 2024, Lancaster

Rating: 4-star (Rivals, 247 Sports, ESPN, On3)

Gipson has reportedly set July 22 as the date in which he will officially announce his commitment. A four-star recruit, Gipson’s final five is Texas, TCU, Alabama, Ohio State and Clemson. His speed was also on display on the track, as Gipson was on three relay teams that finished in the top five at last spring’s Class 5A state meet.

Micah Hudson (6-0, 190), WR, 2024, Lake Belton

Rating: 5-star (247 Sports, On3, ESPN, Rivals)

Hudson has improved his receiving numbers since his freshman season. He went from 22 catches for 466 yards as a freshman to 45 receptions for 851 yards his sophomore season. Then last season, he hauled in 65 passes for 1,198 yards and 14 TDs as he was named the District 4-5A D-I MVP. Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech are all vying for his services.

Blake Ivy (6-4, 280), OL, 2025, Clear Springs

Rating: 4-star (On3, 247 Sports, ESPN, Rivals)

Primarily a tackle, Ivy graded out at 90 percent with 46 knockdowns while allowing only two sacks. He was a first-team All-District 24-6A selection. Ivy made visits in June to Texas, Texas A&M and LSU and also holds offers from Florida and Ole Miss, among others.

Andrew Marsh (6-1, 173), WR, 2025, Katy Jordan

Rating: 4-star (247 Sports, On3, ESPN, Rivals)

Marsh went from 31 receptions for 411 yards and five TDs his freshman season to a 53-catch 845-yard sophomore campaign which also saw him reach the end zone 11 times en route to earning All-District 19-6A honors. His more recent offers have come from Texas A&M along with Ohio State, Georgia, Georgia Tech and Alabama.

Derrick McFall (5-10, 175), RB, 2024, Tyler High

Rating: 4-star (247 Sports, On3, ESPN), 3-star (Rivals)

In late June on his Twitter page, McFall listed his final six schools, which are Texas, Texas A&M, TCU, Alabama, Florida and Louisville. McFall is a versatile offensive athlete, as he can play not only tailback but can also line up at receiver and behind center at quarterback. Last season, he threw for 445 yards and four TDs, rushed for 218 yards and a TD and caught 18 passes for 226 yards and a TD. That versatility gave him first-team All-District 7-5A D-I honors as a utility player.

Hunter Moddon (6-0, 175), ATH, 2024, Houston Clear Lake

Rating: 4-star (247 Sports, On3, ESPN, Rivals)

In late June, Moddon reopened his recruiting process after de-committing from Texas. He has received offers from other schools like - among others - Utah, Oregon and Nevada-Las Vegas. Last season, Moddon scored touchdowns both rushing and receiving while picking off three passes and breaking up two more on defense.

Dakorien Moore (6-0, 180), 2025, Duncanville

Rating: 5-star (247 Sports, Rivals, ESPN, On3)

Another Panther player who is seeking a repeat of the team’s 6A-I state title from a year ago. He caught 44 passes for 764 yards and six TDs during the team’s championship run. Texas and Texas A&M have already extended him offers, along with Georgia, Oklahoma, Colorado, Michigan and Nebraska.

Deyjhon Pettaway (5-10, 165), CB, 2025, Katy Paetow

Rating: 4-star (247 Sports, On3, ESPN), 5-star (Rivals).

Already, this rising defensive back has received offers from in-state schools like Texas A&M, Texas-San Antonio, Baylor and Houston but he also owns offers from the likes of Oklahoma, Oregon, Ole Miss, LSU and Arkansas. Last season, Pettaway earned second-team All-District 19-6A accolades as he averaged 3.7 tackles per game.

Riley Pettijohn (6-2, 205), ILB, 2025, McKinney

Rating: 4-star (247 Sports, On3, ESPN, Rivals)

Pettijohn made 42 tackles his sophomore season, along with five tackles for loss and three sacks. His stock has only risen this offseason, as he has already received offers this year alone from programs like Texas A&M, Baylor, Texas Tech, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Syracuse, where his father was a former All-Big East defensive lineman.

*Casey Poe (6-5, 290), OL, 2024, Lindale

Rating: 4-star (247 Sports, On3, ESPN, Rivals)

Poe was the first on this list off the board. He committed to Alabama on Wednesday, choosing the Crimson Tide over Texas Tech, LSU, Clemson, Auburn, Oklahoma, Alabama and Georgia. Poe, who can play both guard and tackle, was a first-team All-District 9-4A D-I pick each of the previous two seasons. In addition, Poe is a standout in track, throwing both the discus and shot put, winning the latter in the 4A state meet his sophomore season. 

Devin Sanchez (6-2, 170), CB, 2025, Houston North Shore

Rating: 5-star (Rivals), 4-star (247 Sports, On3, ESPN).

Sanchez made first-team All-District 21-6A as a sophomore as North Shore reached the 6A-I title game. He made 36 tackles and picked off four passes while breaking up 18 more. Sanchez will have his pick of some of the top programs in the country, including offers from Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Alabama and Ohio State.

Colin Simmons (6-3, 225), DL, 2024, Duncanville

Rating: 5-star (247 Sports, On3, ESPN)

One of the country’s top uncommitted edge rushers, Simmons set a school record a season ago with 22.5 sacks (along with 33 tackles for loss) as he was the District 11-6A co-MVP while being part of Duncanville’s 6A-I championship squad. Texas is the leading in-state candidate for his services, but LSU and Alabama are also high on his list.

Nigel Smith II (6-5, 260), DL, 2024, Melissa

Rating: 4-star (247 Sports, On3, Rivals, ESPN)

Smith has registered double-digit sacks in both his sophomore and junior seasons. In his junior season, he had 11 sacks to go along with 103 total tackles and 17 tackles for loss as he was named the District 7-5A D-II Defensive Lineman of the Year and a Texas Sportswriters Association Class 5A first-team All-State pick. Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Penn State and Georgia are among those who have made the final cut for his future commitment.

Taylor Tatum (5-11, 205), RB, 2024, Longview

Rating: 4-star (247 Sports, Rivals, On3, ESPN)

Tatum is coming off a junior season in which he was named the District 7-5A D-I MVP, rushing for 1,891 yards and 33 TDs while adding three more TDs receiving. He had his first three rushing TDs in the Lobos' season-opening win at McKinney Boyd. Several schools have offered him, with Oklahoma and USC among the leading candidates.

Zina Umeozulu (6-4, 210), DL, 2024, Allen

Rating: 4-star (247 Sports, On3, ESPN, Rivals)

As a junior, the edge rusher recorded 43 tackles, five for loss and three sacks to go along with three fumble recoveries as he was a first-team All-District 5-6A selection. In late June, Umeozulu visited Texas, where his brother Neto is an offensive lineman. The Longhorns are part of the younger Umeozulu’s top nine, along with Texas A&M, SMU, Oklahoma and Georgia.

Bennett Warren (6-8, 330), OT, 2024, Fort Bend Christian

Rating: 4-star (247 Sports, On3, ESPN, Rvials)

A season ago, Warren was a first-team TAPPS District 4 D-II pick playing right tackle as Fort Bend Christian claimed the TAPPS Division II state title. He took visits in June to Texas A&M along with Oklahoma, Michigan and Tennessee. Oregon is another serious contender in the mix.

Jelani Watkins (5-9, 160), WR, 2024, Klein Forest

Rating: 4-star (247 Sports, On3, Rivals, ESPN)

Speed is a huge part of Watkins’ skill set. He was a member of the Golden Eagles’ 6A state champion track team this past spring, with Watkins winning his second straight 200-meter title with a time of 20.54 while being part of the 400 and 1,600-meter relay teams which also won state, setting school records in both. A first-team All-District 15-6A pick in football, Watkins’ top four list consists of Texas, Texas A&M, Arkansas and LSU.

Jonah Williams (6-3, 203), S, 2025, Galveston Ball

Rating: 4-star (247 Sports, Rivals, On3, ESPN)

Williams was picked the District 9-5A-I MVP as only a sophomore, as he recorded 59 tackles and intercepted four passes, bringing three of those back to the house for touchdowns. He also added two receiving TDs and four more TDs bringing back punts for a Ball squad that went undefeated in the regular season. Williams’ most recent offer came from Arkansas, but he’s also received interest from, among others, Texas, Texas A&M, TCU, LSU, Oklahoma and Ole Miss.

Justin Williams (6-2, 205), LB, 2024, Conroe Oak Ridge

Rating: 5-star (247, Rivals, On3, ESPN)

Williams recorded 105 tackles, 18 for loss and 8.5 sacks last season as he was named the District 13-6A Defensive Player of the Year. Along with the top in-state schools, Williams also has interest from Oregon and two-time defending national champion Georgia.

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Photo by Tommy Hays