Which 50 Fort Worth area high school football players should you watch in 2023 season?
The Texas high school football season is rapidly approaching, and Fort Worth area players are looking to lead their teams to the playoffs.
Some of these players have an abundance of talent, skill and football IQ.
Whether these elite athletes are being recruited to top colleges, leading their schools to newfound heights or filling up the stat sheet, these elite players should be on your radar.
Here are the Star-Telegram’s 50 Fort Worth-area players to watch:
1. Hauss Hejny
Quarterback, Aledo
Hauss Hejny stands far above the rest as the No. 1 player to watch in the Fort Worth area. The Bearcat senior is 247Sports’ No. 12 quarterback nationwide in the class of 2024.
The TCU commit recorded 2,094 passing yards and 1,276 rushing yards as a junior, leading the Bearcats to a 5A-D1 State Championship. Hejny is undersized for a quarterback with a 5-foot-11, 185 pound frame, but that hasn’t limited his production in the slightest.
This season, he’s taking Aledo into a new era and finishing the last chapter of his high school career.
2. Daniel Cruz
Offensive lineman, Richland
With a 6-foot-4, 300 pound frame, Daniel Cruz has the tools to be a game changer. He committed to the Texas Longhorns, and had offers from top colleges such as Alabama, LSU, Ohio State and Michigan.
Will Cruz, rated as a four-star recruit by 247Sports’ composite rankings, lead Richland to a deep playoff run?
3. Landyn Cleveland
Defensive back, Mansfield Legacy
Landyn Cleveland, an Oklahoma State commit, has all the tools to be the top defensive player in the Fort Worth area. His speed, acceleration and awareness make him stand out in the class of 2024.
As a junior, he tallied 116 tackles and three interceptions. Mansfield Legacy had a subpar year in 2022, however, with a 1-6 record in District 11-6A play. Can Cleveland help turn things around in his senior season?
4. Tré Griffiths
Wide receiver, Keller
Keller had a phenomenal season in 2022, winning 10 games and finishing as a regional semifinalist. Tré Griffiths, who tallied 836 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior, will look to ensure Keller stays at the top.
The Oklahoma State commit has a 6-foot-3, 205 pound frame, and uses it to his advantage; he flashes track speed to separate himself. In 2023, he is set to be the Indians’ No. 1 receiver, receiving a well deserved role increase.
5. Chris Johnson Jr.
Cornerback, Aledo
Another Aledo player? Get used to it because the Bearcats have an abundance of talent on both sides of the ball. Chris Johnson Jr. is the cornerback to watch in the Fort Worth area.
The Arizona State commit has a 6-foot-1, 180 pound frame and chose the Sun Devils over Oregon and Arkansas. He is the son of former NFL cornerback and Super Bowl champion Chris Johnson, who intercepted eight passes in his professional career.
6. Jacob Jordan
Wide receiver, Southlake Carroll
Statistically, one can’t get much better than Jacob Jordan, who gained 1,202 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior. The Dragon wide receiver, an Oklahoma commit, is leading Southlake Carroll’s offense, which will need to bounce back after the graduation of Owen Allen, the best Fort Worth area running back in 2023.
7. Jack VanDorselaer
Tight end, Southlake Carroll
Jack VanDorselaer is the class of 2025 tight ends to watch in the Fort Worth area. With offers from Alabama, Georgia and Michigan, the Dragon tight end is on track to accomplish great things.
Southlake Carroll head coach Riley Dodge called him a “freak of nature” who is still learning the game, given his background in swimming. Dodge added that VanDorselaer is a versatile piece in his offense with the ability to receive and block among the best.
8. Nathaniel Palmer
Running back, Decatur
Nathaniel Palmer stands out as a top player in class 4A. The TCU commit had absurd statistics as a junior, posting 2,250 yards and 25 touchdowns while averaging 6.9 yards per carry. He thrived as a pass catcher too, gaining 308 yards and scoring eight touchdowns.
9. Makai Saina
Offensive lineman, Arlington Martin
Makai Saina boasts a four-star rating from the 247Sports composite rankings. The 6-foot-4, 290 pound USC commit is a bully in the trenches, paving the way for Arlington Martin’s run game.
10. Davhon Keys
Athlete, Aledo
Davhon Keys, an LSU commit, was named to the 5A All-State team as a junior and was a pivotal player in the Bearcats’ state championship run. He made 123 tackles, forced three fumbles and had an interception. He thrived on offense as well, notching 13 rushing touchdowns.
11. Carterrious Brown
Wide receiver, Arlington Seguin
Carterrious Brown is the top junior wide receiver in the Fort Worth area. With a 6-foot-2, 175 pound frame, Brown recorded 977 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore. Will he continue to trend upward as a junior?
12. Fredrick Dotie
Safety, Kennedale
Fredrick Dotie played for North Mesquite as a junior, making 59 tackles and securing two sacks and an interception. Now, he’ll play for Kennedale head coach Richard Barrett, who called Dotie an opposing figure and hard hitter with good size and speed.
“We look forward to the things he can contribute to our team,” Barrett said.
13. David Kabongo
Safety, Trophy Club Nelson
Oklahoma State commit David Kabongo is the “voice of the defense” at Trophy Club Nelson, according to teammate Ashton Williams. He had 64 tackles and two interceptions as a junior. As a senior, he will be one of the leaders in a defensive unit that has the tools to be the best in Fort Worth.
14. Graham Knowles
Quarterback, Southlake Carroll
Knowles stepped up in 2022, leading the Dragons to a Class 6A D2 quarterfinal after taking over the starting job in the middle of the season. Now, he’ll have control of the offense from the jump.
Knowles, a Georgia Tech commit, towers over the competition at 6-foot-7. With Jacobs and VanDorselaer as targets, he is looking to improve his completion rate to 75% as a senior.
15. Ashton Williams
Safety, Trophy Club Nelson
Ashton Williams finished his junior season with 72 tackles, nine of which were for a loss. With a 5-foot-11, 180 pound frame, watch out for him to take another jump in his senior season.
16. Kyland Reed, LB, Mansfield Summit
17. Dozie Ezukanma, WR, Fort Worth All Saints
18. Michael Turner, RB, Richland
19. Kris Wokomah, S, Arlington Bowie
20. Cole Welliver, QB, Liberty Christian
21. Julian Knox, WR, North Crowley
22. Harrison Moore, IOL, Southlake Carroll
23. Keiran Patrick Daniels, ATH, Aledo
24. Dedaunte Scott, CB, Kennedale
25. Jonathan Kabeya, CB, Byron Nelson
26. Eze Osondu, LB, Byron Nelson
27. Sterlin Brooks, DL, North Crowley
28. Dustan Mark, DE, Southlake Carroll
29. Elijah Pratt, S, Mansfield Timber View
30. Cornelius Warren, RB, North Crowley
31. Kyle Lemmerman, Kicker, Southlake Carroll
32. Noah Lugo, QB, Haslet Eaton
33. Jaedon Langley, DL, Boswell
34. Mason Ferguson, WR, North Crowley
35. Brandon Young Jr., TE, Mansfield Legacy
36. David Moore, CB, North Crowley
37. Chris Jimerson, QB, North Crowley
38. Drew Cunningham, OL, Southlake Carroll
39. Tristan Bittle, ATH, Arlington Martin
40. Jarion Basped, QB, Everman
41. Reid Watkins, S, Fort Worth All Saints
42. DJ Johnson, CB, Arlington Martin
43. Tristan Johnson, DL, Hurst L.D. Bell
44. DJ Johnson, CB, Arlington Martin
45. Brock Riker, C, Brock
46. Drelon Burton, RB, Arlington
47. Demetrius Saygo, OL, Arlington Martin
48. Kelden Ryan, QB, Fort Worth All Saints
49. Aidan Hicks, DB, Burleson Centennial
50. Ty McFarland, LB, Richland
What do you think of our list? Is there another player whom you think belongs on the Star-Telegram Top 50? Send your thoughts to high school editor Charles Baggarly at cbaggarly@star-telegram.com.
