All-Texas high school football teams, awards: Terry Bussey is State Player of Year

Nation's No. 1 athlete led Timpson to newfound glory, shattered Texas football records along way

The Texas high school football season is in the books. After a fall filled with tremendous storylines, breakout performances and historic runs, SBLive is unveiling our 2023-24 All-Texas football team and awards.

We honored the most impactful players during the 2023 season in each region postseason awards, then first team, season team and honorable mention. 

>> Top 25 Texas high school football rankings: DeSoto finishes No. 1

We started with All-East Texas, All-West Texas, All-South Texas, All-North Texas and All-Southeast Texas before finishing with All-Central Texas teams and awards.

Now, onto all-state. For the best players at each position in the Lone Star State this past fall, dive into SBLive's 2023 All-Texas high school football team:

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ALL-TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL AWARDS

MVP

Terry Bussey, Timpson, athlete, sr.

Terry Bussey rolls out of the pocket during Timpson's 49-7 win over Tolar in the 2A Division I state title at AT&T Stadium / Photo by Tommy Hays

A generational talent, Bussey's season started with him missing six games recovering from a knee surgery. The next 10? Pure masterclass. SBLive's national offensive player of the year, nation's No. 1 athlete and Texas A&M commit broke the Class 2A Division I state championship game record for longest TD pass and run, leading Timpson to its first state championship. On the season, he threw for 1,785 yards with 24 TDs and 4 INTs, rushed for 1,165 yards and 17 TDs.

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OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

DJ Lagway, Willis, quarterback, sr.

DJ Lagway surveys downfield during Willis' playoff loss to nationally ranked DeSoto :: Photo by Daniel Grant / @danielcapturedit

How did Lagway look against defenses across Texas? Like he was playing Madden with the sliders on easy. He threw for more than 4,600 yards on a 72 percent completion rate, rushed for just under 1,000 yards and accounted for 74 total touchdowns, making his final bow as a Willis Wildkat the program's best-ever, winning 12 straight games, a District 13-6A title and seemingly enough awards to fill several trophy rooms. The Florida signee's run ended in the 6A regional semifinals with a loss to DeSoto, the No. 2 team in the nation.

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DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Colin Simmons, Duncanville, defensive end, sr.

Colin Simmons (No. 8) poses with the 6A Division I state trophy after beating North Shore at AT&T Stadium / Photo by Tommy Hays

Regarded as the nation's top edge rusher and the No. 3 overall prospect in the state, Simmons' swan song was memorable. He was the attacked dog on the edge of one of the nation's best defenses, recording 18 tackles for loss, seven sacks, 29 quarterback hurries and two passes deflections. The Texas Longhorns signee was the MVP of the Class 6A Division I title game for the second consecutive season and the All-North Texas Defensive Player of the Year.

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FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR

Landen Williams-Callis, Richmond Randle, RB, fr.

He may be a ninth grader, but Williams-Callis definitionally put Richmond-Randle on his back, turning 206 carries into 1,944 yards and 23 touchdowns (four more than the rest of his team combined), nabbing District 10-5A MVP by opposing coaches. Randle achieved an 11-2 record and reached the regional semifinals. 

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NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

Ziondre Williams, Anna, quarterback, so.

Ziondre Williams powers Anna to a momentous first UIL state title in a stunning shutout of Chapel Hill at AT&T Stadium / Photo by Tommy Hays

The first-year starter guided the Coyotes to the Class 5A Division II state championship, and unseated two-time defending champion South Oak Cliff in epic fashion — 34-24 —  to bring the school its first title since 1973. He adapted to leading the offense quickly, throwing for 2,930 yards, 39 touchdowns and rushing for another 844 yards and 8 touchdowns on the season.

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TEAM OF THE YEAR

DeSoto Eagles (15-0)

DeSoto football players gather after a 6A Division II state semifinal win over Southlake Carroll / Photo by Michael Horbovetz

Call it an emphatic repeat. After winning the 2022 state title, the Eagles ran the table in 2023, toppling nationally ranked foe Duncanville on their way to a District 11-6A title. Only two opponents came within two touchdowns of DeSoto, which went 15-0 with an average margin of victory of 34 points. That includes a 60-point win over Summer Creek to repeat as the6A Division II champs. DeSoto finished No. 2 in the SBLive/SI Power 25 national rankings. The UIL crowns 12 state champions across the state of Texas. DeSoto is the clear king among them.

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COACH OF THE YEAR

Claude Mathis, DeSoto

DeSoto coach Claude Mathis talks to his team after a 2023 Class 6A Division II state semifinal win over Southlake Carroll at Allen ISD / Photo by Michael Horbovetz

Mathis has now won two state titles in three seasons at DeSoto, and setting aside the novelty of the first, his second is more impressive. The Eagles' games were often over after a quarter, and yet they were without blemish so often and sharp in their biggest tests — Duncanville, Southlake Carroll. The Eagles even set a state record for most points school scored in a state title after by beating Summer Creek 74-14 in the Class 6A Division II championship.

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ALL-TEXAS TEAMS

OFFENSE

DeSoto QB Darius Bailey does the Gator Chomp while celebrating a play in a 6A Division II blowout of DJ Lagway (Florida), Willis :: Photo by Daniel Grant / @danielcapturedit

QB — Darius ‘DJ’ Bailey, DeSoto, quarterback, sr.

Rub your eyes all you want. The Sam Houston State signee was the straw that stirred national power DeSoto's drink. Behind his lead, the Eagles massed 8,000 yards of offense — 3,366 through the air (44 TDs, two INTs) — and ran the table for a 15-0 season, repeat District 11-6A title and No. 2 national ranking by season's end. There wasn't a long discussion on for All-North Texas Offensive Player of the Year.

RB — Caden Durham, Duncanville, running back, sr.

Caden Durham is among the best running backs in the country as a producer and a prospect, and played like he didn't want anyone ahead of him. In Duncanville's Class 6A Division I title repeat, he put his stamp on 2,027 yards and 35 touchdowns.

RB — Adam Hill, RB, Albany, Sr.

The All-West Texas Offensive Player of the Year wrapped up a silly-good high school career with a bang. He earned Offensive Most Valuable Players in the Class 2A Division II state title game after leading the Lions to back-to-back titles, finished with 2,641 rushing yards and 51 total touchdowns and had three of those in the in a 28-10 Class 2A Division II state championship win over Mart.

RB — Will Henderson, RB, Gilmer, Sr.

Like Bussey, Henderson went out a winner in his final high school game, leading the Buckeyes to a 28-26 win over Bellville in the Class 4A Division II state championship game — a stage on which he was stellar. The All-East Texas Offensive MVP earned offensive MVP honors after rushing for 227 yards and a touchdown. On the season, he finished with 2,737 yards and 12 touchdowns and caught 36 passes for 449 yards and three more scores. 

WR — Dakorien Moore, Duncanville, jr.

There may not be a more slippery cover in the country across all classes. The speedy 6-foot LSU commit had 61 catches for 1,243 yards and 14 touchdowns and five games with 100 yards or more receiving, rendering the gameplans of opposing DCs useless.

WR — Alex Green, Hutto, wide receiver, sr.

Green, the All-Central Texas Player of the Year, led Texas in receiving with more than 2,000 receiving yards, accounting for more than half of Texas Tech-signed QB Will Hutto's eye-popping 3,910 passing yards. It's a wonder why more Power Fives didn't take a harder look the North Texas commit, who finished the year with 101 catches and 19 touchdowns. 

TE — Karson Maynard, Melissa, sr.

The 6-foot-4 receiver had the size of a tight end and the speed of a wide receiver. The All-North Texas first team selection finished with 56 catches for 991 yards and 20 touchdowns, including a bobbling catch and score against Dallas South Oak Cliff in the playoffs. Perhaps the Sam Houston State signee will be a future target of DJ Bailey's.

OL — Daniel Cruz, North Richland Hills Richland, sr.

Cruz was the center for an offense that gained more than 5,600 yards on the season, earning him Class 5A District 5-5A lineman of the year and first team all-North Texas selection. A Texas Longhorns signee, Cruz the nation's No. 5 interior offensive lineman (Rivals).

OL — Coen Echols, Katy, sr.

A unanimous first team District 19-6A pick at center, Echols helped Katy to a 10-2 record in a season that ended in the area round. A four-star recruit and the nation's No. 6 interior offensive lineman, Echols committed to Texas A&M after flipping from LSU late.

OL — Logan Schram, Boerne, jr.

Schram, the leader on an offensive line nicknamed "the Great Wall of Boerne," has yet to allow a sack in those three years. Yes, you read that right. The four-star junior helped the Hounds rush for 2,369 yards this season, and holds offers offers from Baylor, Texas Tech and Arkansas, among others.

OL — Zane Waggoner, Albany, Sr.

Waggoner was named Defensive MVP of the Class 2A Division II state title game with nine tackles and 1.5 sacks to help Albany win its second straight. His season stats — 64 pancake blocks, no sacks allowed — weren't too bad either. The uncommitted All-West Texas first team pick helped West Texas Offensive MVP Adam Hill rush for 2,000 yards and 42 touchdowns, and get this - he's also a first team all-district kicker and D-tackle.

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DEFENSE

Behemoth defensive tackle Alex January (11) leads Duncanville onto the SMU Stadium turf for its season debut against South Oak Cliff on Aug. 25 / Photo by Michael Horbovetz

DL — Kamryn Brown, Gilmer, sr.

The All-East Texas first team selection logged 116 tackles (69 solo, 47 assists), including 17 for loss with 10 sacks and 13 quarterback hurries. After a 3-3 start to the season and a defensive scheme change, Gilmer won out for the program’s fourth state title. Brown is uncommitted.

DL — Jorge Alvarado, Laredo Alexander, sr.

Alvarado lived in opponents’ backfield all season long, racking up 29 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in 11 games played. When he wasn’t getting to the quarterback, the pressure was still there, tallying 68 QB hurries to go along with his 86 total tackles, 7 passes defensed and 3 forced fumbles.

DL — Alex January, Duncanville, sr.

On a prospect laden team and a defensive line that includes the nation's No. 1 edge rusher, the Texas signee nabbed District 11-6A Defensive MVP honors. The imposing 6-foot-4, 325-pounds All-North Texas first team all-state selection finished with 45 tackles, 7 TFL, four sacks and helped the nationally ranked Panthers repeat as 6A Division I state champs.

DL — Keylan Abram, DeSoto, jr.

The Purdue-committed edge rusher was a force up front for the state champions, racked up 87 tackles (21 for loss) and 21 1/2 sacks. All-North Texas first team selection.

LB — Walker DiHarce, San Antonio Johnson, sr.

TheCentral Texas Defensive Player of the Year helped the Jaguars to a 10-2 overall record and was named as the District 28-6A. The defensive signal caller finished with 158 tackles (17 for loss), averaged 13 per game and holds multiple offers.

LB — Cooper Massey, Brock, sr.

A first-team Class 3A all-state pick last year, he finished with a head-turning, glasses-cleaning double-take inducing 238 tackles (40 for loss) and five sacks.

LB — Davhon Keys, Aledo, sr.

The four-star recruit signed with LSU won three titles during his time at Aledo. The final season? He had 169 tackles (23 1/2 for loss), five sacks and 12 QB hurries. 

LB — Jaime Martinez, Brownsville Veterans, sr.

Lauded for his football IQ, the 6-foot-1, 200-pound logged and impressive 171 tackles (10 for loss) and two sacks, including 28 tackles during a 27-13 win over Port Isabel in Week 2. He helped lead a sound Brownsville Veterans defense, and a momentous run to the 5A Division 1 state semifinals.

DB — Eli Bowen, Denton Guyer, sr.

Bowen had six pass breakups and three interceptions this fall, and was named first team all-District 5-6A as a corner and a return specialist. The three-star recruit is headed to Oklahoma to play with his brother Peyton, a four-star recruit who was a freshman this year in Norman. 

DB — Willie Nelson, Longview, Sr.

No, not that Willie Nelson. In 11 games, the three-star Oklahoma State commit recorded 50 tackles (35 solo, 15 assisted, four for loss) and six interceptions. 

DB — Dontae Carter, Cibolo-Steele, sr.

The Vanderbilt commit and four-star safety broke the school record for career interceptions, picking off seven passes to go with his 77 tackles. Carter is listed as the No. 2 safety in the country.

DB — Rob Thomas, Sinton, sr.

Dare we emphasize how smooth the All-South Texas first team ballhawk is in coverage? The 6-foot-1 cornerback finished the season with 58 total tackles, seven picks and a fumble recovery. The District 15-4A Division I Defensive MVP helped the Pirates go 10-3-1 and reach the 4A Division II regional finals. .

ATH — Gilbert Trillo, Brownsville Veterans, sr.

The Chargers' Swiss Army Knife amid its run to the state semis, the All-South Texas Player of the Year lining up at running back, safety and returner. He finished the year with 1,401 all-purpose yards and 26 total touchdowns, 82 tackles and six interception. His a signature outing came during the Region IV-5A semifinals, when he scored four TDs (2 rushing, 2 receiving) and had an interception in an upset of state-ranked PSJA North.

ATH — Hauss Hejny, Aledo, sr.

The All-North Texas first team choice, District 3-5A MVP and All-American Bowl selection tallied 2,773 yards and 27 touchdowns through the air and 1,041 rushing yards and 13 TDs on the ground, leading Aledo to a 16-0 season and third consecutive Class 5A Division I state championship.

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SPECIAL TEAMS

K/P — Gio Oceguera, Port Neches-Groves, sr.

How good was the All-Southeast Texas first team selection? Well, his four made field goals in the Class 5A Division I state title set a UIL record — and earned him offensive MVP honors in the game as PNG unseated two-time defending state champion and DFW powerhouse South Oak Cliff, 20-17. The senior made 15 field goals on the season.

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EVERY 2023 ALL-REGION FOOTBALL TEAM

All-South Texas high school football 2023 teams, awards

All-West Texas high school football 2023 teams, awards

All-East Texas high school football 2023 teams, awards: Terry Bussey is MVP

All-Southeast Texas high school football teams, awards: DJ Lagway nabs MVP

All-North Texas high school football teams, awards: Caden Durham is MVP

All-Central Texas high school football teams, awards: Alex Green is Player of Year

-- Andy Buhler | andy@scorebooklive.com | @sblivetx

-- Buck Ringgold | buck@scorebooklive.com | @sblivetx