August 19, 2025

Top Dallas Area High School Football Players to Watch

Dallas, August 19, 2025

News Summary

A list of 20 high school football players in the Dallas area has been released, highlighting those to watch as they head into the upcoming season. This selection features talented quarterbacks, running backs, and receivers, along with several college commitments from various programs. Analysts predict that these players will significantly impact their teams in the 2025 season, with early games starting as soon as August. The spotlight is on returning playmakers who showed impressive statistics during the last season.

Dallas — Analysts have identified 20 Dallas-area high school football players in Class 5A and Class 6A to watch heading into the 2025 season. The list highlights returning playmakers who produced big numbers last year, several high-profile college commitments, and teams expected to contend early in the season. Season openers and showcase games are scheduled to begin as early as August 28-30.

Key players and top statistics

The group includes quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, linemen and versatile playmakers whose 2024 production and recruiting status make them candidates to shape the 2025 landscape.

Randall — Passed for 3,907 yards and 40 touchdowns as a sophomore, added 12 rushing touchdowns, and accounted for about 66% of Highland Park’s offense last season.
Hackney — Earned district MVP recognition as a freshman, led his team to an 11-2 record, threw 40 touchdown passes last season and has accumulated over 6,000 passing yards and more than 80 career touchdown passes.
Henigan — Guided Denton Ryan to the state semifinals with 2,615 passing yards and 32 touchdowns last season; a returning leader in a program with high expectations.
Newton — Led Anna to a Class 4A Division I state title as a sophomore with 3,308 passing yards and 34 touchdowns; remains a major offensive factor as he moves into a higher classification.
Unnamed unanimous District 5-5A Division I MVP — Posted 1,547 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns in a season that produced a 12-2 team record.
Bell — A running back who rushed for 1,323 yards and 20 touchdowns, anchoring his team’s ground attack.
Trotter — Rushed for 1,169 yards and 18 touchdowns for South Oak Cliff and helped the program reach a fourth consecutive state championship game.
Reynolds — Expected to take on an expanded role at Denton Ryan following the departure of a prior starter, positioning him as a player to watch in 2025.
Ebeke — Totaled 1,087 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns, and accounted for 25 total touchdowns across rushing, receiving and returns.
High-impact receivers and multi-role players — One receiver posted 69 catches for 1,112 yards and 12 touchdowns despite missing three games; another compiled 88 catches for 1,465 yards and 22 touchdowns and is a four-star college recruit; a separate four-star Michigan pledge recorded 42 catches for 527 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior.
Ojo — The highest-rated recruit for Texas Tech in the relevant class and ranked as the No. 2 offensive tackle in the Class of 2026 by recruiting evaluators.
Other college-bound standouts — A four-star Florida pledge produced 691 rushing yards and 716 receiving yards with five touchdowns; a Texas State pledge has compiled 1,428 yards and 17 touchdowns over the past two seasons; a four-star Texas A&M pledge has contributed notably on defense and special teams; a five-star recruit made an All-American level impact while helping North Crowley capture a state title.

Recruiting and college commitments

Several players are already committed to Power Five and Group of Five programs, strengthening the link between Dallas-area high school football and Division I college rosters. Commitments among the group include offers and pledges to programs such as Tennessee, Baylor, Michigan, Texas A&M, USC, Texas Tech and Florida. The list includes both Class of 2025 and Class of 2026 prospects, with some top recruits expected to continue adding attention through senior seasons and postseason showcases.

Team implications and outlook

Teams with multiple high-end contributors are poised to contend in their districts and beyond. Denton Ryan, Highland Park and other traditional powers remain positioned to reach deep playoff runs because of returning talent and depth. Westlake is noted for consistent success, having posted at least 14 wins in multiple recent seasons since 2019. Duncanville faces turnover from graduation but is still expected to field a competitive roster based on program strength.

Depth and special teams

Several players on the watch list are multi-phase contributors, affecting offense, defense and returns. The presence of versatile athletes who can impact field position and scoring outside of standard offensive snaps is expected to play a role in team success, especially in tight district races.

Schedule and early-season markers

The 2025 high school football calendar opens with early events and non-district games beginning around August 28-30. Early-season matchups and preseason scrimmages will offer the first look at player development, emerging depth charts and how returning stars fit into new schemes or coaching staffs. District schedules and playoff positioning will become clearer after the first several weeks of play.

Background and context

Dallas-area high school football has a long history of producing college and professional talent. The 20 players highlighted here represent a mix of underclassmen who exploded onto the scene early and upperclassmen who have sustained high-level production. Their individual statistics from the previous season provide a measurable baseline for expectations, but team success will also depend on coaching, offensive and defensive lines, and depth across position groups.

What to watch

How returning quarterbacks manage expanded workload and new offensive schemes.
The health and availability of top receivers and running backs through non-district and early district games.
Impact of college recruitment decisions on player availability and focus.
Which teams leverage special teams play and depth to win close district contests.

FAQ

Which players are on the 20-player watch list?

The list includes notable area standouts such as Randall, Hackney, Henigan, Newton, Bell, Trotter, Reynolds, Ebeke, Ojo and several high-rated recruits and college pledges. Each player was selected based on recent statistical production, team impact and recruiting status.

When does the 2025 high school football season begin?

Early-season games and events are scheduled to start as early as August 28-30, with district play following in September.

Which colleges have received commitments from these players?

Players on the list have made commitments to a range of programs, including Power Five schools and regional programs. Examples include commitments to Tennessee, Baylor, Michigan, Texas A&M, USC, Texas Tech and Florida among others.

How were the players chosen for this list?

Selection was based on prior season statistics, team impact, postseason performance, recruiting rankings and projected roles for the upcoming season.

What should fans watch for early in the season?

Watch early-season matchups to see how returning stars perform, how depth charts develop, and how special teams play influences close games. Early district matchups will also indicate which teams are poised for playoff runs.

Key features at a glance

Feature	Example or stat	Notes
Top passing season	3,907 yards, 40 TDs	Randall as a sophomore; accounted for 66% of team offense
Top rushing season	1,547 yards, 21 TDs	Unanimous district MVP season; 12-2 team record
Big receiving stat	88 catches, 1,465 yards, 22 TDs	Four-star USC pledge; among most productive receivers
Multi-phase total	25 total TDs	Ebeke: rushing, receiving and return scores
Recruiting highlights	Five-star, multiple four-star pledges	Commitments to major programs across classes of 2025 and 2026
Season kickoff	Aug 28-30 (approx.)	Early games and showcases begin in late August

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Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER

DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.

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