As the high school football season comes to a close and with the recent national signing day for the Class of 2025 now behind us, High School on SI and SBLive Texas is turning its attention to explore the top prospects still available in the open market for the Class of 2026.
The 2026 class is notably rich in running backs, featuring four dedicated backs within our top 10 list alongside two athletes who occasionally play the position. Frisco Lone Star’s Davian Groce managed to maintain his position over the rapidly rising North Crowley offensive lineman, John Turntine III, whose popularity has surged in the past year.
Also climbing into our top 5 is Mansfield Lake High’s Felix Ojo, who showcased remarkable skills throughout the season, demonstrating his potential as a formidable player.
Be sure to check at the end for five more promising uncommitted prospects from the Class of 2026 who narrowly missed making the cut.
Top 25 Uncommitted Prospects in Texas High School Football: Class 2026
1. Davian Groce, RB, Frisco Lone Star
Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 190 pounds, Groce amassed a remarkable 1,692 all-purpose yards last season at Lone Star. The four-star running back – ranked No. 31 nationally by ESPN – averaged an impressive 11.8 yards per carry, rushing for 687 yards and scoring seven touchdowns. Additionally, he recorded 702 receiving yards and five touchdowns with an impressive average of 16.3 yards per reception.
His standout performance at the 2025 Navy All-American Bowl attracted significant attention from scouts, where he shone at both running back and wide receiver, reinforcing his status as a top recruit nationwide.
Groce holds offers from a host of prominent programs including Oregon, Wisconsin, UNLV, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, TCU, SMU, Ole Miss, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, North Texas, Minnesota, Michigan, Miami (Fla.), Houston, Florida State, Baylor, and Arizona State.
2. John Turntine III, OL, North Crowley
Turntine played a crucial role in the Panthers’ perfect season, contributing significantly to their 16-0 record and UIL 6A state championship victory. At 6-4 and 305 pounds, this four-star prospect possesses the size and skill that college scouts are eager to see at the next level. His performance throughout the season has led to an elevated stock, positioning him as one of the premier offensive line recruits for 2026.
Currently, he is drawing major interest from Texas, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Georgia, and Michigan, while also holding offers from Alabama, Arizona State, Arkansas, Baylor, California, Colorado, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Houston, LSU, Miami (Fla.), Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, SMU, Stanford, TCU, Texas Tech, and UTSA.
3. Javian Osborne, RB, Forney
Osborne shone as a freshman, rushing for 1,064 yards and eight touchdowns, and followed with a spectacular sophomore year, racking up 2,231 yards and 39 touchdowns. This phenomenal performance led the Jackrabbits to a 13-2 record and the Texas 5A-D1 state semifinals.
Osborne also shines in track and field at Forney, having been clocked at a remarkable 4.4 in the 40-yard dash. An Under Armour All-American, he has attracted about 40 FBS offers but is currently considering 10 finalists: Texas, Oregon, Michigan, Notre Dame, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida State, Texas A&M, and SMU, with Texas showing notable interest recently.
4. Felix Ojo, OL, Mansfield Lake Ridge
One of the fastest rising prospects in the nation, Ojo stands out at 6-6 and 272 pounds. Known for his quickness and strength, he has made a name for himself on the field, earning a spot on the Navy All-American Bowl roster this season where he further showcased his skills.
As one of the youngest members of his class, Ojo is ranked as the No. 8 offensive tackle nationally according to 247Sports. He has received numerous offers this year, including Alabama, Arizona State, Arkansas, Arkansas State, Auburn, Baylor, Boston College, California, Colorado, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Houston, Kansas, Kansas State, LSU, Memphis, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Texas, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, SMU, Stanford, TCU, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas State, Texas Tech, UCLA, USC, UTEP, Vanderbilt, and Washington.
5. Jermaine Bishop Jr., ATH, Willis
Bishop stands out as a multi-talented athlete in both football and basketball, excelling as a two-way player at receiver and defensive back. This season, he accumulated an impressive 2,009 all-purpose yards.
As a receiver, he recorded 83 receptions for 1,565 yards (an average of 18.9 yards) alongside 18 touchdowns. On the defensive end, he made 26 tackles, defended six passes, intercepted three throws, forced two fumbles, and recovered one. Over three varsity seasons, he has amassed a total of 13 interceptions, including five during his freshman and sophomore years.
His primary interests appear to be Texas, Houston, and Texas A&M, although Bishop has offers from several other schools including Arkansas, Baylor, Florida, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Penn State, SMU, TCU, Tennessee, Texas Tech, USC, Utah, UTSA, and Duke. Notably, he is the nephew of former Kansas State quarterback Michael Bishop.
6. Kelwin “K.J.” Edwards, RB, Carthage
Regarded as one of the most sought-after running backs in the nation, Edwards recorded an impressive 1,785 yards on 143 carries, scoring 23 touchdowns in the process. He maintained an astounding average of 12.4 yards per carry, leading the Bulldogs to a stellar 15-1 season and clinching the Class 4A state championship.
Edwards, standing at 5-10 and weighing in at 175 pounds, is known for his agility and impressive breakaway speed. He has received offers from a host of prestigious programs including Arkansas, Baylor, Houston, Miami (Florida), Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon, SMU, Stanford, TCU, Tennessee, Texas, Texas Tech, USC, and UTSA.
7. Jamarion Carlton, DE, Temple
Carlton, measuring 6-5 and 235 pounds, showcased his remarkable size, speed, and athleticism from the edge during last season, making it difficult for opposing offenses to operate. He accumulated 57 tackles (34 solo), 11 tackles for loss, 13 quarterback hurries, five sacks, three passes deflected, and caused a fumble in just 10 games.
As a four-star recruit, Carlton is ranked No. 7 in the state across all positions by ESPN and has garnered offers from teams such as Arizona State, Baylor, Houston, Kansas State, LSU, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, SMU, Syracuse, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, USC, and Vanderbilt.
8. Kaydon Finley, WR, Aledo
Finley, at 6-1 and 195 pounds, possesses both the size and heritage to excel—his father is Jermichael Finley, a Super Bowl Champion tight end with the Green Bay Packers. Demonstrating his prowess, Kaydon accumulated 1,003 receiving yards on 56 catches with 14 touchdowns over 10 games, following a solid sophomore season where he garnered 616 yards on 39 receptions and six touchdowns.
Finley has also drawn interest from numerous colleges including Arizona State, Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, California, Florida State, Georgia, Houston, Louisville, Miami (Florida), Missouri, Nebraska, North Texas, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, SMU, TCU, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA, and Washington.
9. Jonathan Hatton Jr., RB, Cibolo Steele
As a junior, Hatton utilized his powerful 6-1, 210 frame to average 9.5 yards per carry, totaling 1,147 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, all contributing to Steele’s 11-2 record. Over the course of 12 games, he topped the 100-yard mark in six instances, with a standout 92-yard run as his longest.
Ranked No. 61 nationally by ESPN, Hatton has received offers from Alabama, Auburn, Baylor, BYU, Houston, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Tulane, UCF, USC, UTSA, Vanderbilt, and Wisconsin, among others.
10. Jalen Lott, ATH, Frisco Panther Creek
Lott comes from a rich athletic lineage; his mother is former Texas basketball standout Fey Meeks Lott, while his father, James Lott, is a former Texas cornerback, NCAA champion, and Olympic gold medalist in high jump, already enshrined in the UT Hall of Fame. His older sister, Jasmyn Lott, is a redshirt junior playing basketball at UNLV, and his younger sister, Falyn, competes as a freshman jumper at USC.
Like his father, Jalen has also achieved gold in track and is currently a sought-after target for the Longhorns. A four-star recruit, Lott showcased his versatility, amassing 1,111 yards on 85 receptions with 16 touchdowns across 12 games this season.
In addition to Texas, Lott holds offers from a variety of schools including Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Colorado, Colorado State, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Illinois, LSU, Miami (Fla.), Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Missouri, Nebraska, North Texas, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, San Diego State, SMU, TCU, Tennessee, Texas State, UCLA, UNLV, USC, UTSA, and Wisconsin.
11. K.J. Ford, DE, Duncanville
Ford, standing 6-4 and weighing 235 pounds, has been remarkably consistent over the last two seasons, showcasing a significant improvement in his sack count, jumping from 2.5 as a sophomore to seven this year. He ended the season with 57 tackles (31 solo) and 16 tackles for loss. His sophomore stats included 53 tackles (31 solo) and 14 tackles for loss, paired with 15 quarterback hurries this past year after recording 18 the previous season.
His contributions included two passes deflected, one fumble recovery, and forcing a fumble this year, maintaining similar statistics from his sophomore year where he deflected one pass, recovered two fumbles, and caused another.
A four-star recruit, Ford has gathered offers from schools such as Arizona State, Baylor, Florida, Houston, LSU, Miami (Florida), Nebraska, North Texas,Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Penn State, SMU, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas State, Texas Tech, UCF, USC.
12. Tiki Hola, DT, Bastrop
With a name that stands out, Tiki Hola delivers on the field as well. Standing at 6-3 and weighing 265 pounds, he is among the most sought-after defensive tackle recruits nationwide, and his performance numbers certainly support this claim.
This season, Hola accumulated an impressive total of 102 tackles (50 solo), alongside 10 tackles for loss over 12 games. Additionally, he forced three fumbles and successfully recovered two. A force on special teams, he managed to block two field goals and a punt this year.
He has received offers from a wide array of schools, including Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, Baylor, Georgia, Houston, LSU, Miami (Florida), Michigan, Nebraska, North Texas, Notre Dame, Oklahoma State, Oregon, SMU, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, USC, and UTSA.
13. Jaimeon Winfield, DT, Richardson
Winfield’s strength lies in his ability to disrupt plays. The 6-4, 290-pound defensive force recorded 45 tackles this season, with an impressive 22 of those resulting in a loss of yards. He also tallied 8.5 sacks, delivered 25 quarterback pressures, broke up three passes, and blocked two field goals.
Ranked as the seventh-best player in his position nationwide, Winfield has piqued the interest of programs like Arizona State, Auburn, Baylor, Georgia Tech, Kansas State, LSU, Miami (Florida), Michigan, Missouri, Ole Miss, Pittsburgh, SMU, TCU, Texas Tech, USC, UTSA, and Wisconsin.
14. Chase Campbell, WR, Wolfforth Frenship
Arguably, Chase Campbell is one of the top receivers in West Texas, although one might contest that he may not even be the best receiver on his own team, given Frenship’s talented roster. Partnering with senior standout Leyton Stone, Campbell (6-1, 180) terrorized defenses, amassing 1,497 yards through 81 receptions and scoring 18 touchdowns in just 12 games this season. Additionally, he also showcased his versatility by rushing for 314 yards on 38 attempts (averaging 8.3 yards per carry) and throwing three passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns.
During his sophomore year, Campbell recorded 84 receptions for 1,411 yards and 17 touchdowns.
He finished his junior year with a total of 1,908 yards and accounted for 26 touchdowns. Among the schools that have extended offers to Campbell are Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado State, Houston, Kansas State, Missouri, North Texas, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas State, Texas Tech, and UTEP.
15. Nicolas Robertson, OL, Klein
Once he lays his hands on you, it’s often game over. Robertson stands tall at 6-4 and weighs 325 pounds, employing his incredible strength to overpower defenders with remarkable ease. He stands out as a dominant run-blocker, utilizing a aggressive technique and a strong base to eliminate defenders from plays.
While spending time at left tackle and left guard at Klein, he has earned a reputation as one of the finest interior linemen in the nation. His list of offers includes Alabama, Arkansas, Baylor, California, Houston, LSU, Missouri, North Texas, Penn State, SMU, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and USC.
16. Brayden Robinson, WR, Red Oak
This year marked a significant breakthrough for Robinson, who caught 79 passes for 1,119 yards and secured 15 touchdowns over 12 games. A dynamic presence at 5-9 and 165 pounds, he averaged 14.2 yards per catch with a peak game-long reception of 86 yards. His sophomore performance included 46 catches for 686 yards and eight touchdowns across nine games, while as a freshman, he made 30 catches for 523 yards and nine touchdowns over 11 games.
Robinson has garnered offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Boston College, California, Colorado, Houston, Kansas, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, Missouri, Nebraska, North Texas, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, Pittsburgh, SMU, TCU, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas State, Texas Tech, Utah, and UTSA.
17. Paris Melvin Jr., ATH, Cypress Springs
An exceptional athlete at 5-11, 170 pounds, Melvin played primarily as a running back this season, achieving 1,091 rushing yards over 147 attempts in 10 games with an impressive 18 touchdowns. He also contributed with 22 catches for 352 yards (averaging 16.0 yards) and three touchdowns, alongside an interception on defense.
Melvin has received attention from a variety of schools with offers coming from Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Baylor, California, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Houston, Kansas, Memphis, Michigan, Nebraska, North Texas, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon State, SMU, TCU, Texas A&M, Texas State, Texas Tech, UCF, UTEP, and UTSA.
19. Bowe Bentley, QB, Celina
A notable newcomer, Bentley earned a position on the 2025 Navy All-American Bowl roster and continues to showcase his impressive talents. A four-sport athlete with strengths in football, track and field, lacrosse, and soccer, Bentley demonstrates versatility that is hard to match.
A versatile athlete, Bentley also leads the school’s 4×100 relay team. Standing at 6-2 and weighing 200 pounds, his size and speed make him difficult to tackle once he starts moving. His impressive arm only adds to the challenge for defenders, as he accumulated over 4,200 yards of total offense and scored 63 touchdowns during his junior year, ultimately guiding Celina to an unbeaten 16-0 season and the Division I state title.
Regarded as a genuine future professional talent, Bentley has received offers from a multitude of programs including Arizona, Boston College, California, Cincinnati, Duke, East Carolina, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kansas State, LSU, Missouri, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Tulane, UCF, USF, UTEP, UTSA, Virginia Tech, Wisconsin, Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Colorado State, North Texas, and Sam Houston State, among others.
20. Jordan Clay, WR, San Antonio James Madison
A participant in the 2025 Navy All-American Bowl, Clay showcased his skills at the event, emerging as more than just a 6-4, 200-pound receiver. Known as a big target, he left a strong impression with his route-running ability and knack for creating separation thanks to his impressive physique.
A constant threat once the ball is in his possession, Clay has established himself as one of the premier receiving talents for the class of 2026, reflected by the growing list of offers he has received, which includes Arizona State, Arkansas, Baylor, Colorado, Colorado State, Houston, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan State, Missouri, Nebraska, North Texas, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Purdue, SMU, TCU, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, UCLA, UTEP, and UTSA.
21. Bryce Gilmore, OL, Prosper
Possessing remarkable athleticism like his father – an eight-year NFL veteran wide receiver Bryan Gilmore, who played a total of 81 games with the Arizona Cardinals (2000-2003), Miami Dolphins (2004-2005), and San Francisco 49ers (2006-2007) – Bryce Gilmore appears to be on a path toward a promising future.
Standing tall at 6-4 and weighing 270 pounds, Gilmore still has room to develop further, leading scouts to believe that his best performances are yet to come. Initially from Arizona, he is now a key component of Prosper’s elite offensive line, having fielded offers from over 30 FBS schools before narrowing down his selections to Arizona State, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Penn State, Texas Tech, and Vanderbilt.
22. Zaden Krempin, OL, Prosper
Prosper’s offensive line has become a go-to destination for college scouts. As we highlighted with Gilmore’s status, Krempin is an equally impressive member of this elite unit. Matching Gilmore’s size and skill set at 6-4 and 270 pounds, Krempin is also an outstanding discus and shot put thrower in track and field, contributing to one of the most talented and athletic offensive lines in Texas.
With offers from major programs such as Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, California, Colorado, Colorado State, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Miami (Florida), Michigan, Mississippi State, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, Pittsburgh, SMU, TCU, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, UCF, USC, Utah, UTSA, and Washington, Krempin’s potential is evident.
23. Daquives Beck, LB, Carthage
Observing Beck’s defensive play is reminiscent of Deion Sanders’ character from Tecmo Bowl. He has the ability to make pivotal tackles all over the field, making it incredibly tough for opponents to evade him.
While his style may differ, Beck packs a punch. Weighing in at 6-0 and 190 pounds, he is surprisingly strong for his build. His powerful upper body helps him shed blocks effortlessly and deliver bone-crushing hits. His elite speed and lateral agility off the ball are complemented by his role as a member of Carthage’s Texas 4A regional 4×400 relay team as a sophomore.
Following a standout sophomore year that included 132 tackles (nine for loss), six sacks, and two fumble recoveries, Beck built on this success with impressive junior statistics: 102 tackles (21 for loss), 31 pressures, 18 hurries, five sacks, one fumble recovery, three pass breakups, and two defensive touchdowns. He earned the title of Texas 4A Division II State Championship Defensive MVP for his remarkable 10-tackle performance in Carthage’s 28-14 victory over Waco Le Vega in the state championship.
Beck’s credentials have attracted offers from several programs, including Arizona State, Baylor, Houston, Mississippi State, Missouri, North Texas, Ole Miss, SMU, TCU, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, USC, and various others.
24. Drew Evers, OL, Flower Mound
Drew Evers, the brother of UCONN sophomore quarterback Nick Evers, is a composite four-star recruit according to 247Sports. At 6-4 and 285 pounds, he certainly meets the physical criteria for a professional left tackle, even as a junior.
Exceptionally powerful and possessing a fierce competitive spirit, Evers could have easily satisfied the hunger of an army with the pancakes he served this season. His performances have garnered significant attention from scouts, resulting in over 30 offers from FBS programs including Alabama, Arkansas, Baylor, California, Colorado, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Louisville, LSU, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, SMU, Stanford, TCU, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Tulane, UCF, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.
25. Day’Jon Moore, OL, Willis
Moore is a remarkable dual-threat player; his size, speed, strength, and astonishing athletic ability truly shine when he explodes off the line as a defensive tackle. At 6-4 and 300 pounds, he easily overpowers high school offensive linemen.
If you check out his tape on the offensive side as a left tackle for Willis, you’ll observe the potential of a highly skilled offensive lineman. Scouts project him as an offensive guard, believing he could develop into one of the nation’s elite interior linemen in the future, so it’s clear that Day’Jon has a promising career ahead in football.
As a three-star prospect, he has received offers from Baylor, Florida State, Houston, Kansas, Nebraska, TCU, Texas Tech, UTSA, and Vanderbilt.
The next five: 26, Jayden Warren, WR, Iowa Colony; 27, Kosi Okpala, LB, Houston Mayde Creek; 28, Zion Robinson, WR, Mansfield; 29, Henry Harris, ATH, San Marcos; 30, Jason Bradford, CB, Temple.
