Class 5A high school football: 75 players to watch from the greater Fort Worth-area

It’s finally time for Texas high school football.

Here are 70 players to watch from Class 5A. Many of these players were nominated by coaches in the greater Fort Worth-area.

Cleburne

Willie Duckett, Sr., OL - Ducket, with a 6-foot-4, 285 pound frame, made back-to-back All-District First Teams. He has offers from Howard Payne, Midwestern State and Oklahoma Baptist. He’ll bring loads of experience.

Malachi Cunningham, Jr., WE/DB - Cunningham already has two years of experience as a two-way starter for Cleburne as a junior. He was named the All-Johnson County Special Teams MVP last season, and he is a back-to-back All-District player. In two years, he has tallied 1,000 receiving yards and six interceptions.

Hayden Leifeste, Jr., RB - Leifeste tallied 750 rushing yards in seven games as a sophomore. He had five 100 yard games.

Azle

Devin Wingfield, Sr., DT- With a 6-foot-4, 290 pound frame, Wingfield can make an impact in the trenches.

Aiden Mackey, Jr., WR - Mackey broke his collarbone last season but is expected to return as a top player for Azle.

Hagen Hughes, Sr., RB - Hughes is expected to have an important role in the Azle offense as a senior.

Denton

Brian Michaud, Sr., S - Denton’s staff says Michaud is a team leader. He led Denton in tackles last season.

Braylon Madison, Sr., DL - Denton’s staff says Madison is a disruptive pass rusher and run stopper. He has a 5-foot-11, 275 pound frame.

Jacobi Gladney, Sr., RB - According to Denton’s staff, Gladney is a tough runner with great vision. Look out for him to have a big role as a senior.

Keshawn Diego, Sr., WR - Diego is Denton’s most productive return receiver. Denton’s staff said he is a shifty and smart player.

Denton Ryan

Ty Haywood, Sr., OT - Haywood is one of the premier college recruits in the nation. He has a 6-foot-5, 285 pound frame and is a five-star Alabama commit. He’ll be an anchor for the Ryan offensive line, which is one of the best units in the state.

Birdville

Noah Normand, Sr., QB - Normand has serious experience with the Hawks. He is a two-year returning starter and an All-District quarterback. He threw for 1,920 yards and 21 touchdowns and also ran for 740 yards and six touchdowns as a junior. Keep an eye on him to be a big time player for Birdville.

Parker Green, Sr., DB - Green is a two year returning starter. He is Birdville’s top DB.

Jacob Vasquez, Sr., OL - Vasquez is a two year returning starter and an All-District caliber player.

Zach Yang, Sr., WR - Yang played JV as a transfer to Birdville High School last season. Birdville’s staff expects him to have a breakout year.

Jadon Hicks, Sr., WR - Hicks also transferred to Birdville last year, and is in line for a solid season. He played JV last year.

Chi Ugwoegbu, Jr., DL - Ugwoegbu gained varsity experience as a sophomore and played a starting role. Now, he’s back and ready to build on what he has learned.

Mark Hicks WR SR - Mark Hicks also spent time as a JV player following a transfer to Birdville. The Hawk receiver room will have a new look.

Aledo

Gavin Beard, Jr., QB - Beard is taking over as the Bearcats’ starting quarterback. That position comes with high expectations. He has experience as a backup from Aledo’s many blowout victories.

Raycine Guillory Jr., Jr., RB - Guillory is the Star-Telegram’s Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. He has offers from the best program’s in the nation and will be surrounded by one of the best supporting casts in Texas football.

Richland

Michael Turner, Sr., RB - Turner, a Baylor commit, has a great argument to be the best running back in Dallas-Fort Worth. He is a Star-Telegram Preseason All-Area selection. In 2023, he tallied 1,625 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior.

Drew Kates, Sr., QB - Drew Kates, the son of head coach Ged Kates, has proven himself to be more than a coaches’ kid, earning District MVP honors as a junior. There are high expectations for Kates to continue his elite play. In 2023, he passed for 2,498 yards and 29 touchdowns.

Xavier Johnson, Sr., WR - Johnson, a Memphis commit, will be one of Kates’ top targets. He has been consistent for the Royals, tallying seven touchdowns in his sophomore and junior years.

Arlington Heights

Canyan James, Jr., De - Canyon James is a returning First Team All-District talent with an FBS offer.

Deshaun Long, Sr., WR/DB - Long will be a two-way player for Heights. He has an FCS offer.

Kaden Grant, Jr., ATH - Grant is a versatile player that is expected to make an impact as a defensive end.

Carter James, Soph., DE - Carter James was named the District 4-5A D2 Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a freshman.

Carson James, Soph., RB - Carson James also started his high school career with a great season, earning Offensive Newcomer of the Year honors. He tallied 610 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Vito Jovanovic, Jr., WR - Jovanovic’s career at Arlington Heights earned him an offer from Miami University in Ohio.

Fort Worth North Side

Darien Fantroy, Sr., CB/WR - Fantory, a UTEP commit, will be a two-way superstar for North Side. He has loads of experience as a starting varsity player since his freshman season.

Deandre Montgomery, Sr., RB - Montgomery is a returning First Team All-District back who could produce similar results as a senior. He totaled over 1,000 yards of offense and led the Steers in touchdowns.

Angel Valdez, Sr., QB - North Side’s staff said Valdez is looking to have a massive senior year and is ready to command the offseason. He has grown and developed a lot over the off season.

Manny Rodriguez, Jr., DL - Rodriguez made the All-District First Team last year. North Side’s staff says he is looking to be the anchor of the defensive line.

Jay Bryant, Sr., DL - Bryant is a returning starter who had a breakout year for North Side as a junior. North Side’s staff says he will help set the tone up front.

Ralph Triana, Sr., LB - Triana has three years of starting varsity experience. The Steers will look to him to lead the defense.

Trustin Holland, Jr., DB - North Side’s staff said he can do anything they ask of him on the field with an ability to play multiple positions. Expect him to play both offense and defense and generate college interest.

Fort Worth Paschal

JaShaun Thomas, Jr., QB - Thomas was named the District 3-6A Offensive Newcomer of the Year, passing for 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns while running for 750 yards and 12 touchdowns against some of Texas’ toughest Class 6A competition. The sky is the limit for the Panthers’ move to Class 5A.

Luke Tevis, Sr., TE/WR - Tevis, a Rice commit, is expected to have a big year for Paschal and boasts a 6-foot-5, 235 pound frame. He tallied 650 yards last season en route to an All-District Second Team selection.

Tex Shope, Sr., LB - Shope made 80 tackles as a junior. He is expected to be one of Paschal’s top linebackers.

Chris Debenport, Sr., WR - Debenport had 350 receiving yards and two touchdowns as a junior.

Trey Keith, Sr., LB Sr. - With a 6-foot-1, 210 pound frame, expect Keith to have a sizable role on defense.

VonDerick Huges, Sr., OT - Hughes has a 6-foot-1, 240 pound frame. He can be one of the anchors of the Panther offensive line. He was an honorable mention All-District player last season.

Jackson Hailey, Jr., OT - Hailey will be another key contributor on the offensive line, and he was also an honorable mention All-District player. He has a 6-foot-3, 245 pound frame.

Jack Davis, Sr., DT - Davis was a force in the trenches with two sacks, one pick six, 16 tackles for loss and 35 total tackles. He could have a monster senior year with the move to Class 5A.

Jace Burton, CB, Sr. - Burton can be a key defensive back. He made 30 tackles last season.

Fort Worth Polytechnic

Saidi WaSaidi, Sr., ATH - WaSaidi, a three sport athlete, is a Second Team All-District player. Poly’s staff says he is a dynamic athlete who can play all over the field except the line.

Kody Manning, Sr., DT - Manning is a returning Second Team All-District player. He has a 300 pound frame and can stop the run. He forces doubles teams or makes the play.

James Queen, Sr., ATH - Queen is a speedster who plays all over the field that has elite endurance according to Poly’s staff. He is a three sport athlete and a Second Team All-District returner.

Natnael Ghebrelibanos, Sr., ATH - Ghebrelibanos was Poly’s team MVP last season. The staff called him a “jack of all trades.” He is a Second Team All-District returner and led the entire district in interceptions.

Burleson Centennial

Jack Long, Sr., DE - Long is a two time All-District player. He had six sacks last season and 20 tackles for loss. He has offers from CSU Pueblo and East Central.

Blaine Smith, Sr., OLB - Smith, with a 6-foot-2, 200 pound frame, was an absolute force for the Spartans with 80 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss and an interception. He was named an All-District player and has offers from UTPB and East Central.

Jayden Ferguson, Sr., OT/DT - Ferguson can play both sides of the ball and has a 6-foot, 250 pound frame. He has an offer from Augustana.

Keilan Gregory, Sr., RB/WR - Gregory made the All-District team last year, averaging 11.2 yards per catch and scoring eight touchdowns. He has an offer from Augustana.

Damien Long, Sr., WR - Long had a solid season for the Spartans as a junior, tallying 588 yards on 24 receptions and making the All-District team.

Meziah Ababio, Sr., LB - Ababio is an All-District returner. As a junior, he made 71 tackles and had five for a loss.

Justin Aguilar, Sr., OL - Expect Aguilar to set the tone as one of Centennial’s top offensive linemen. He is a returning All-District player with a 5-foot-10, 270 pound frame.

Argyle

Maguire Gasperson, Jr., QB - Gasperson passed for 1,469 yards and 18 touchdowns while also running for four touchdowns. He had a 64% completion rate and was named the District 3-5A D2 Offensive Player of the Year.

Will Krzysiak, Sr., WR - Krzysiak had a monster junior season, tallying 1,089 yards and 11 touchdowns on only 58 receptions. He earned First Team All-District honors.

Weston Chaney, Sr., OL - Chaney, a team captain, had 14 knockdowns last season en route to being named District 3-5A D2 Offensive Player of the Year.

Tyler Robert, Sr., OL - Roberts, with a massive 6-foot-9, 325 pound frame, is a returning All-District offensive lineman.

Nathaniel Bruce, Jr., FS - Bruce, an All-District First Team selection, had 78 tackles as a sophomore. He made three tackles for a loss and intercepted four passes. He also had a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Arlington Seguin

Carterrious Brown, Sr., WR - Brown, an SMU commit, is Seguin’s best player and is a game changer with a 6-foot-2, 175 pound frame. He caught six touchdowns as a junior.

Colleyville Heritage

Braden Blueitt, Sr., WR - Head coach Jerry Edwards called Blueitt, a Northwestern commit, a technically great receiver with terrific hands. He is expected to use speed and technique to get separation, even against opposing team’s top defenders. He tallied 1,146 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior.

Bryson Burgess, Sr., DB - Burgess has a 4.5 second 40 yard dash and was a tackle machine for the Panthers, making 101 last year. He also had two interceptions.

Bodey Weaver, Jr., QB - Weaver is a two sport star for Heritage. He also plays basketball. Weaver is taking over the starting quarterback role and has plenty of experience as a backup. Edwards says he has worked hard over the off season.

Grapevine

Brad Stanyer, Sr., DL - Stanyer, a college prospect, led the Mustangs in sacks and tackles for loss last season. He’ll make a big impact as a senior.

Brady Boozer, Sr., S - Grapevine’s staff said he has great length and range. He is a two-sport athlete, and is also a baseball player for the Mustangs, the Class 5A state champions.

Tatum Evans, Jr., DL/LB - Evans is a three-year letterman that is versatile and physical. He earned All-District honors as a sophomore, making 68 tackles.

Daniel Campos, Sr., OL - Campos had a stellar junior year, earning unanimous All-District honors. Grapevine’s staff said he is the anchor of the offensive line.

The Colony

Carson Cox, Sr., WB - Cox, an experienced senior, is a returning First Team All-District quarterback that had a 4.8 second 40 yard dash.

Carmello Torrez, Jr., WR - Expect Torrez to be one of Cox’s primary targets. He is a returning All-District talent.

Wyatt Robinson, Sr., OL - Robinson, with a 6-foot-2, 290 pound frame, is a returning All-District talent.

Fort Worth Wyatt

Jorvorskie Lane Jr., Jr., ATH - Lane Jr., an elite baseball prospect, is also a star on the football field. He is a versatile player with experience at multiple positions, including quarterback. He had eight touchdowns last season.

De’Mario Goss, Sr., RB - Goss is a solid returner for Wyatt. He tallied 875 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Chaparrals. Look for him to thrive in a run-heavy offense.

Mansfield Timberview

Dilan Battle, Sr., DL, Mansfield Timberview - Battle, an LSU commit, puts up a battle in the trenches and should be a top player for the Wolves. Offensive lines will have to focus on the Wolves’ star pass rusher to contain him, and even that might fail. He has a 6-foot-2, 315 pound frame.