The 2026 Texas high school football preseason rankings have already sparked conversation across the state, with powerhouse programs jockeying for position before the first kickoff. Six of the top ten teams hail from the DFW metroplex, underscoring the region’s dominance.
Duncanville holds the No. 11 spot in the national poll and will rely on quarterback Maximus The Great Denson, who led the team to the 6A Division I title game last season.
DeSoto, ranked No. 16, returns running back SaRod Baker, a Texas Tech commit, after capturing its fifth state championship in five years.
Dallas South Oak Cliff, the recent 5A Division II champions, open the season against Richmond Dr. Thomas E. Randle, a squad that fell just short of the state title game but will count on Texas pledge Landen Williams‑Callis.
Key Returning Players
Among the most anticipated returners are Maximus The Great Denson of Duncanville, running back SaRod Baker of DeSoto, and quarterback Landen Williams‑Callis of Richmond Dr. Thomas E. Randle, each poised to influence their teams’ title hopes.
New coaches such as Lee Munn at Southlake Carroll, DeMarcus Harris at Fort Worth North Crowley, and Kyle Coats assuming duties at Humble Atascocita bring fresh perspectives to programs that have recently tasted success.
Other storylines feature Spring Branch Smithson Valley’s third straight 14‑plus win season led by Texas commit quarterback Ty Knutson, and Fort Worth North Crowley’s new head coach DeMarcus Harris adding a transfer quarterback to the mix.
Further afield, Carthage in East Texas must retool at quarterback after a 16‑win campaign, while Sheldon C.E. King’s breakout receiver Dillion Mitchell, also a top track athlete, looks to build on a state‑final run.
Stephenville, who surged from unranked to champions last year, remain undefeated in title games, and Humble Summer Creek returns quarterback Noah Spinks and top target Benny Easter Jr.
Frisco Lone Star, fresh off two finals appearances, will showcase quarterback Trey Wright, among the state’s most coveted signal callers.
With early‑season matchups already shaping the narrative, teams like Allen, Frisco Lone Star and Spring Branch Smithson Valley are set to test their mettle against the state’s elite.