Texas High School Football Stars Dominate ESPN Preseason All-American List

Texas High School Football Stars Dominate ESPN Preseason All-American List

As the 2025 college football season approaches, the excitement is palpable throughout the sports community, especially in Texas, known for its rich football heritage. This year, the Lone Star State has reason to celebrate, having the highest number of players named to ESPN’s Preseason All-American First Team. A remarkable seven athletes represent Texas, showcasing the state’s dominance in youth football talent. According to USA Today High School Sports, these young athletes include standout quarterback Cade Klubnik from Westlake High School in Austin, and tight end Eli Stowers hailing from Guyer High School in Denton.

The All-American team doesn’t stop at offense. It also highlights two first-team cornerbacks from Texas, Jermod McCoy and Leonard Moore, and includes safety Michael Taaffee from the University of Texas. Another key player is linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., also from Texas, who is adding to the impressive resume of Texas players being recognized on the national stage.

Breakdown of All-American Selections

This year’s selections by ESPN featured a total of 26 players, with a diverse mix from various states. From Florida, four promising athletes made the cut, signaling the state’s strong football development: Jeremiah Smith (WR) from Chaminade-Madonna Prep, Jake Slaughter (OL) from Trinity Catholic, Desmond Reid (All-purpose) from Miramar, and Gabe Jacas (LB) from Fort Pierce Central.

• **Texas Players on Preseason All-American First Team**
• Cade Klubnik (QB, Westlake High School, Austin)
• Eli Stowers (TE, Guyer High School, Denton)
• Ar’Maj Reed-Adams (OL, Texas A&M, DeSoto)
• Jermod McCoy (CB, Tennessee, Whitehouse)
• Leonard Moore (CB, Notre Dame, Round Rock)
• Michael Taaffee (S, University of Texas)
• Anthony Hill Jr. (LB, University of Texas)

In a broader look at the performance of college football teams, Saturday Down South notes that the Southeastern Conference (SEC) is still leading the pack with 12 selections on the All-American First Team. Among these are only a handful from the previous postseason, including notable players Jeremiah Smith, Jake Slaughter, and Anthony Hill Jr. 

Texas High School Football’s Star Power

Let’s not forget about the high school scene that feeds into this impressive pipeline of talent. Texas has emerged as a powerhouse, boasting an impressive 12 five-star recruits according to Texas Football. These highly regarded athletes include offensive tackles Michael Fasusi and Ty Haywood, both recognized for their promising futures, as well as wide receivers Kaliq Lockett and Dakorien Moore, who hold commitments to major colleges.

With such robust talent coming from Texas, the state continues to have a good hand in shaping the next generation of football players. As the countdown to the new season begins, it will be exciting to see how these athletes transition to collegiate competition, and whether their skills will further enhance Texas’s reputation as a cradle of football talent.

In summary, as the 2025 season nears, the blend of high school and collegiate talent coming from Texas is formidable and only continues to grow. The stakes are high, and for fans looking to witness the evolution of these players, there’s certainly something to be said for the thrill that high school football brings.