Texas high school football: Who are the 20 best underclassmen?

Allen's Jet Smith, Carthage trio among state's freshman (2027) and sophomores (2026) to watch in 2023

Every year, a new crop of Texas high school football players take the field hoping to make an immediate impact and earn consistent playing time.

Some stand out in the process.

While many experienced veterans, juniors and seniors, have developed and made an impression over several years, the first few weeks of the Texas high school football season has given way to the next crop of breakout stars.

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Major recruiting services have already started to identify the top prospects in Texas in the class of 2026, while 2027 prospects — freshmen — have gotten first opportunities to stand out on the high school stage.

Many have shined almost immediately. These 20 rising underclassmen head into 2023 with high expectations, either because of success last season or a strong recruiting profile.

These rankings were compiled by reporter Jackson King. Did we miss someone? Get in touch (andy@scorebooklive) and back it up with stats.

20 underclassmen in Texas high school football to watch

20. Jayquan Snell, Athlete, freshman, Waxahachie

Suiting up as both free safety and wide receiver for Waxahachie, Snell is starting to get recognized for his talent. Entering the 2023 season, Snell had received offers from three Division I schools: Auburn, Missouri and UTSA.

19. Aden Starling, wide receiver, freshman, Pearland Shadow Creek

A member of 2023 Under Armour Next All-American team, the Shadow Creek frosh is a top receiving prospect among the 2027 class. The 6-foot-1 freshman earned offers from Jacksonville State and Hawaii before playing a varsity snap.

18. Zane Rowe, Athlete, freshman, Denton Guyer

Alongside teammate Haywood, Zane Rowe has received a lot of offers from top college teams, including Georgia and Nebraska. Rowe plays on both sides of the ball, suiting up at both tight end and defensive end.

17. Khyren Haywood, defensive tackle, freshman, Denton Guyer

A member of the Wildcats defensive line, Haywood is a 6-foot-1 250-pound defender who provides a lot of intrigue. After playing in the 2023 Under Armour Next Game, the freshman has received an offer from Arizona State.

16. Ethan Feaster, wide receiver, freshman, DeSoto

Part of the class of 2027, Feaster earned a spot as part of the Desoto Eagles receiving core. After offering flashes of greatness, he will continue to be in the mix as the Eagles push for a state title. 

• MORE: Ethan Feaster, DeSoto (Texas) freshman phenom, backs up hype with long TD

15. Ziondre Williams, quarterback, sophomore, Anna

Sophomore quarterback Ziondre Williams has looked like an upperclassmen at times early. In his first two games starting, he completed 31 passes on 54 attempts for 451 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions. Williams also added 149 rushing yards on 17 carries for a touchdown. Williams earned an offer from Texas State over the summer.

14. Jermaine Bishop Jr., cornerback, sophomore, Willis

The nephew of former Willis and Kansas State quarterback Michael Bishop, Jermaine Bishop made a difference last season on the defensive side of the ball. A multisport athlete who also plays basketball and track, the sophomore has offers from several power five schools, including Florida and Texas.

13. Tank King, linebacker, sophomore, Port Arthur Memorial

After earning a starting spot as a freshmen, King returns as a leader on the Memorial defense heading into this season. In 2022, Port Arthur Memorial made the third round of the playoffs, losing to Longview after giving up 51 points.

12. Kevin Ford Jr., DE, sophomore, Duncanville

After playing the second half of last season on varsity, Kevin Ford Jr. is expected to contribute to a lethal Duncanville pass rush alongside Colin Simmons and Omari Abor. Ford is currently ranked as the number five defensive lineman and top player in the state of Texas for the 2026 recruiting class.

11. Sean Stover, guard, sophomore, Prosper

Stover is one of several linemen from Prosper who is expected to contribute at the college football level, alongside teammates Tyler Mercer and Ellis Davis. Playing inside as a guard, Stover hopes to aid Prosper as they seek another trip to the State semifinals.

10. Drew Evers, tackle, sophomore, Flower Mound

One of the biggest players in his class, the 6’3” 277 pound offensive lineman is projected to be a difference maker on the line for the Jaguars after spending last season on the school’s freshman team. Entering his sophomore season, Evers has received offers from powerhouse schools, including Michigan, Alabama, Florida State and Oklahoma.

9. Ryder Mix, tight end, sophomore, Frisco Lone Star

As part of the Rangers’ offense, Ryder Mix has the potential to expand his game as a receiver and tight end. Over his first two games, Mix has added 45 receiving yards, and a touchdown while adding in the blocking scheme. 

8. Brayden Robinson, WR, sophomore, Red Oak

Part of a Red Oak team that made the second round of the 5A playoffs last year, Robinson shined as a freshman in a crowded receiving room, catching 30 passes for 523 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. A four-star prospect, he has already gotten into a rhythm for the 2023 season, recording 182 receiving yards in Red Oak’s first two games. 

7. Keisan Henderson, QB/WR, sophomore, Spring Legacy School of Sports Sciences

A four-star prospect in the 2026 recruiting class, Henderson has been offered by several top universities across the nation, including Texas A&M and Penn State. Last season, Henderson finished with 75 receptions for 1,135 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also had 370 passing yards, 141 rushing yards and two interceptions.

6. Jett Surratt, QB, sophomore, Carthage

Alongside teammate Edwards, Jett Surratt has helped lead the Carthage offense under center, completing 38 of his 52 passes for 415 yards in the air, five touchdowns and three interceptions. Son of Carthage coach Scott Surratt, the sophomore quarterback has already received offers from Texas Tech, Houston and UTSA.

• MORE: Uncommitted Carthage prospects hitting stride

5. KJ Edwards, running back, sophomore, Carthage

Edwards has taken a step ahead among the 2026 recruiting class as the featured tailback in Carthage’s offense. In his first two games so far this season, Edwards has 169 on 26 carries, averaging 6.5 yards per touch, alongside three touchdowns.

• MORE: Uncommitted Carthage prospects hitting stride

4. Ronin Seymour, QB, sophomore, Manvel

Splitting time under center with junior Jackson Hamilton, sophomore Ronin Semour has contributed to a Manvel team, completing 20 of 41 passes for 190 passing yards in his first two games. Seymour is currently projected as a four-star quarterback prospect with offers from teams such as Houston and Florida State.

3. Jimmy-Phrisco Alo-Suliafu, DE, sophomore, Katy Jordan

A starter for Katy on the defensive line, Alo-Suliafu is a tough prospect in the trenches. Through the first two games of the 2023 season, Alo-Suliafu and the Warriors defense held opponents to 15 points per game. 

2. Caleb “Jet” Smith, athlete, sophomore, Allen

A track star for 6A Allen, Caleb Smith is a dynamic playmaker on the outside, being named as a Max Preps freshman All-American nationally. Recording a 10.57 speed in the 100-meter dash, Smith has received offers from national powers Texas Tech and Utah. 

1. Dequane Prevo, athlete, sophomore, Liberty Eylau

Playing on both offense and defense for the Leopards, Dequane Prevo was a dynamic weapon, finishing with 33 receptions for 601 yards and 10 touchdowns. After losing in the first round of last year’s playoffs, Liberty Eylau hopes Prevo can continue to develop another season offensively.

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MORE TXHSFB:

• Texas high school football: UIL Week 6 2023 schedule, state rankings

• Vote: Who should be SBLive's Texas High School Athlete of the Week (9/25/2023)?

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-- Jackson King | @sblivetx

Lead photo by Robbie Rakestraw