The wait is over for Central Texas high school football fans. Though games won’t start for nearly another month — with this being the first year this century that Anderson and McCallum won’t kick off the season in the Shoal Creek Showdown (they’ll face each other Oct. 15 in district play) — practices start Monday for programs that didn’t conduct spring football, with schools that held a week of spring workouts beginning Aug. 10.
Lake Travis (Class 6A Division I) and Vandegrift (Class 6A DII) each reached the state semifinals a year ago and seem primed for strong seasons again. Perennial powers Westlake, Dripping Springs, Wimberley and LBJ should threaten to record double-digit wins. And Weiss and Anderson figure to build off successful 2025 seasons as well.
It’s the first year of a UIL realignment, which brought several changes to the Austin area. And whether a program’s goal is to win a state title or simply make the playoffs, the journey is about to start.
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Here are 100 Austin-area UIL players to watch this season. Players are listed alphabetically:
Bastrop quarterback Weston Nielsen (13) advances the ball as Liberty Hill and Bastrop face off in the District 11-5A Division 2 championship in Liberty Hill, Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. Liberty Hill won 48-14.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
100 Central Texas UIL football players to watch in 2026
Eric Abraham, Westlake DB: Part of a talented secondary, he led the Chaps with 70 tackles in 2025.
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Tifeoluwa “Tife” Akinboro, Vista Ridge DT: Has a high motor and missed nearly all of junior season with an injury.
Kru Allen, Hays LB: Recorded 104 stops as a sophomore last fall.
Olujimi Aluko, Cedar Park DL: Poised for a breakout year, the senior is lightning quick off the edge.
Chase Ames, Dripping Springs QB: Lit up opposing defenses for 3,682 yards and 47 TDs for a 12-2 team.
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Jordan Anderson, Weiss WR: Dangerous playmaker had 74 catches for 1,268 yards and 17 TDs in 2025.
Luca Antoun, Lake Travis DB/WR: Special athlete will start on both sides of the ball.
Aydan Aguilar, Eastside QB/LB: The Panthers’ top skill player paces their hopes of back-to-back playoff appearances.
Luke Barto, Liberty Hill K/P: Made 59 of 61 extra points, hit 3 field goals and averaged 43 yards on punts as a junior.
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Pierre Dylan Belinga, Liberty Hill RB: Panthers senior rushed for 1,443 yards and 20 TDs in 2025.
Trent Bell, Cedar Ridge DB: Made 4 interceptions as a sophomore and already has strong interest from colleges.
Major Bettridge, Dripping Springs DL: A disruptive force at nose guard, he’s part of a strong Tigers defensive line.
Vincent Black, Travis WR/QB/CB: Versatile and fast senior will be counted on to do it all for the Rebels.
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Reagan Bollinger, Georgetown LB: A tackling machine, he recorded 90 stops for a team that went 9-3.
Brock Bungo, Cedar Park OL: The two-time all-district pick paces the Timberwolves up front at left tackle.
Jeremiah Caldwell, Taylor ATH: State runner-up in the long jump already has an Oklahoma offer entering his sophomore year.
Zach Cecalek, Anderson DE: Coming off a junior year of 12½ sacks and 57 tackles.
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Jayvion Clayter, East View: Ran for 963 yards and 13 TDs in 2025.
Jackson Cook, Westlake OL: Texas commit is one of the state’s top guard prospects.
Keith Cook, Wimberley WR/DB: The explosive senior catches everything and is a defensive leader for the talented Texans.
David Cooper, Cedar Park QB: One of the area’s top signal-callers, he threw for 1,925 yards and 19 TDs last fall.
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Josiah Covington, LBJ DB: A lockdown corner who can also play safety, he had 4 interceptions and 68 tackles in 2025.
Joshua Covington, LBJ LB: Twin of Josiah, he made 68 stops for a team that went 9-3.
Isaiah Cravens, Liberty Hill OL/DL: Key in making the slot-T offense go, the senior paces the Panthers in the trenches.
Dallas Crescenzo, Bastrop WR/DB: Playing in only six games, he tallied 899 all-purpose yards and 7 TDs.
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Jalani Culpepper, East View DB/LB: Talented senior has 12 Power 4 offers, made 48 stops for a playoff team last fall.
Will Cunningham, Legacy Ranch QB: First-year varsity program is set behind center with talented junior.
Henry Curtis, Liberty Hill DL: Standing 6-foot-4 with an explosive first step, the Panthers expect a breakout year.
Covert Darbyshire, Anderson QB: Finished with 2,285 yards and 19 TDs passing for the 10-2 Trojans.
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Andrew Davis, Lago Vista OL/DL: The senior was an all-district pick on offense.
Aubryn Davis, Rouse WR: Sure-handed receiver caught 79 passes for 1,010 yards and 13 TDs.
Luke Davis, Vandegrift LB: Aggressive and with a nose for the ball, Viper senior had 80 tackles in 2025.
Carson Fields, Hutto WR/DB: Part of Hutto’s loaded WRs room, he’ll be a big factor as a junior.
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Jaiden Fields, Hutto WR/DB: Oklahoma commit hauled in 89 passes for 1,345 yards and 18 TDs and plays both sides of the ball.
Brady Ford, Austin High WR: A highly skilled athlete, the 6-foot-3 target will be key for the Maroons offense.
Josiah Freeman, Manor New Tech LB: With 71 tackles, the senior helped the Titans to another playoff appearance.
Colton Fromberg, Westlake DE: Dangerous on the Chaps’ front, he should thrive in a full-time role.
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Jay Fullmer, Anderson WR/RB: Senior should be an offensive focal point (1,230 all-purpose yards, 14 TDs in 2025).
Jonah Garcia, Connally RB: Entering his third year as a starter, he tallied 1,473 all-purpose yards and 24 TDs as a junior.
Isaiah Haws, Del Valle DB: Dynamic safety made 84 stops last fall.
Charlie Helling, Anderson LB: Expect high production from the talented senior who takes over the middle of the defense.
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Tylan Henderson, Weiss LB: Made an eye-popping 113 tackles as a sophomore for the 10-3 Wolves.
Breland Hill, Pflugerville WR: A burner on the outside, the senior tallied 75 catches for 1,184 yards and 15 TDs.
Marrell Hinton, Bowie DL: Part of a defense that returns eight starters, he made 54 stops and had 3 sacks in 2025.
Aiden Ilai, McCallum QB: Enters his second year as a starter after producing 1,507 total yards and 17 combined TDs as a junior.
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Dylan Jaeger, Round Rock WR: One of the area’s top wideouts, he had 66 catches for 995 yards and 9 TDs last fall.
Cooper Jones, Westlake RB: Already creating a buzz for the Chaps, the freshman should make an immediate impact.
Ethan Kahle, Austin High LB: The heart of the Maroons’ defense was one of the area’s leading tacklers (121).
Jackson Koeppel, Lake Travis OL: Physically dominant, the senior sets the tone for the Cavs at left tackle.
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Gavin Koester, Vandegrift ATH: A key piece of the 2024 state title run who missed all of last fall with an injury.
Drew Langford, Legacy Ranch DL/TE: Physical on both sides of the ball, he’ll be a crucial piece for the Wranglers.
Gavin Law, Vandegrift DL: A name to know for the next two years, he had 55 tackles as a sophomore.
Daevion Lewis, Manor New Tech ATH: Speedy junior plays multiple positions on offense and returns kickoffs/punts.
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Jayden Mack, Hutto OL: Massive at 6-foot-4, 340 pounds, he has interest from several Power 4 schools.
Kaleb McDougle, Georgetown QB: Entering his third year as a starter, he’s thrown for 4,674 career yards and 55 TDs.
Noah McPeak, Weiss LB: Led Central Texas with 148 tackles in 2025.
Tyrone Miguel, Pflugerville WR: Panthers junior will play a major role in an aggressive offense.
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Rodney Mitchell, Hays RB/LB: Travis transfer figures to make a big impact on both sides of the ball.
Austin Moilan, Bastrop LB: Impressive inside linebacker tallied 88 stops last fall.
Jonah Montgomery, Johnson QB: Expect big things from the senior, who started 5 games a year ago.
Mark Moreno, Round Rock OL: Senior left tackle critical to the success of the Dragons’ offense.
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Rhys Moreno, Bowie RB: One of Central Texas’ top running backs, he rushed for 1,603 yards and 24 TDs.
Tre Moore, Weiss WR: Arguably the area’s best player, the senior caught 85 passes for 1,443 yards and 19 TDs.
Marquis Murry II, LBJ RB/LB: One of the area’s most dynamic threats rushed for 1,504 yards and scored 24 TDs as a junior.
Weston Nielsen, Bastrop QB: Arizona State commit torched teams for 3,118 yards and 45 TDs through the air.
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Michael Okolo, Glenn DL: A menace off the edge, the senior seems poised for a breakout year.
Cannon Olofson, Westwood DB: First-team all-district pick leads the Warriors’ playoff hopes.
Kaden O’Rourke, Vandegrift OL: Physically dominant senior is one of the Vipers’ top returners.
Dylan Owens, Hutto WR/DB: Electric player tallied 1,066 all-purpose yards and 17 TDs in 2025.
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Kieran Paegle, Vista Ridge WR: Leading returning receiver for a Rangers team that could surprise.
Rhett Peterson, Hendrickson DB: Physical safety is one of the reasons the Hawks have eyes on the postseason.
Braden Riddell, Westlake WR: Brings experience to the Chaps receiving corps after making 34 catches for 391 yards and four TDs.
CJ Rogers, Cedar Park DB: Junior is a tough safety who made 93 stops and was his district’s newcomer of the year.
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Rhett Rosborough, Wimberley, OL/DL: A wall at left tackle, the senior is arguably one of the best small-school linemen in the area.
Jacob Rubio, Travis WR/DB: Speedy senior should shine when the Rebels’ opponents focus on Vincent Black.
Jackson Saafir, Dripping Springs DL: One of many strong returning linemen for the Tigers, he creates havoc on the edge.
Jaxon Schad, Weiss QB: The first-team All-Central Texas pick threw for 3,627 yards and 51 TDs as a sophomore.
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Gavin Smith, Georgetown LB: Had 90 tackles last year, gives the Eagles a top LB duo along with Reagan Bollinger.
Hugo Smith, McCallum, DE: Entering his fourth year on varsity, he paces a defense that returns eight starters.
Westin Smith, Lake Travis WR: One of two offensive starters back for the Cavs, he caught 71 passes for 801 yards, 8 TDs.
Dylan Snoga, Cedar Ridge QB: Threw for 1,493 yards and 12 TDs and added six rushing TDs last fall.
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Douglas Sterling, Eastside, OL/DL: An all-district pick on both sides of the ball, the senior leads the Panthers up front.
Colt Stevens, Vandegrift DB: One of five returning defensive starters for the Vipers, he produced 31 tackles and 5 INTs.
Jordan Steward, Johnson DB/RB: Finished with 71 tackles in 2025. Will also play offense this fall.
Dov Stickler, Round Rock QB: Taking over as starter midway through the season, he threw for 1,850 yards and 15 TDs.
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Eyan Stigall, Hays RB: Expect a lot of touches after recording 675 all-purpose yards and 7 TDs as a sophomore.
Jeremiah Strong, Lake Travis DB: Hard-hitting safety was a first-team all-district pick.
Quinn Szczytowski, Vista Ridge RB: Returns as Rangers’ lead back after 841 yards, 10 TDs last season.
Andre Terry, Manor RB: His district’s newcomer of the year tallied 1,084 all-purpose yards.
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Rahsaan Thompson-Franklin, Connally WR: Put up impressive sophomore numbers (36 catches for 850 yards, 12 TDs).
Tyson Thompson, McCallum DT: Senior is a disruptive presence up front for the Knights.
Cameron Thornton, Pflugerville LB: Recorded 88 tackles for a Panthers team that won a playoff game for the second straight year.
Princeton Umanmielen Manor LB: The latest in a long line of brothers who have starred for Manor; he made 47 stops in 2025.
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Pete Vallejo Jr., Hendrickson QB: Threw for 1,902 yards and 9 TDs as a junior.
Cade Venable, Bowie DL: A plug in the line at nose tackle, he tallied 46 tackles and 6 sacks against a tough schedule.
Eli Walker, Blanco RB/DB: Moving from quarterback to running back, he’ll be one of the top options in the Panthers’ slot-T.
Eric Walker, Taylor RB: Senior with Group of 6 offers rushed for 1,078 yards and 11 TDs last year.
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Braylon Westfall, Georgetown WR: Also the Eagles’ kick returner and punter, he caught 40 passes for 566 yards.
Hudson Whitenight, Dripping Springs OL: Dominant left tackle and Baylor commit anchors what might be area’s best offensive line.
Zac Wilkinson, Bastrop WR: Underrated athlete paced the high-flying Bears with 47 catches for 639 yards and 14 TDs.