Preseason Texas All-State Football Teams presented by Suddenlink by Altice

By Zack Poff Aug 21, 2019, 10:00am

Ja'Quinden Jackson, Zachary Evans and Jase McClellan lead the best of the Lone Star State.

Video: Zachary Evans Ultimate Highlights
The No. 1 rated running back in the country is an All-Texas preseason selection presented by Suddenlink by Altice.

Kyler Murray, Sam Ehlinger, Ed Oliver, Jalen Hurts and Ronald Jones II are some notable players who've played high school football in Texas.

Expect the group of players on the Preseason Texas All-State Football Teams presented by Suddenlink by Altice to join this list of greats in the near future.

So far we have zoned in on California, Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina and West Virginia with Oklahoma, Mississippi, Montana, Arkansas and Louisiana coming in the next two weeks.
Zachary Evans, North Shore
Zachary Evans, North Shore
File photo by Ken Murray
First Team Offense

QB — Ja'Quinden Jackson, Duncanville | Sr. | 6-2 | 220
The 2020 Texas commit was one of the few players to throw for more than 1,500 yards and rush for 1,500-plus yards in 2018. He led Duncanville to the 6A Division 1 state championship game and don't be surprised if the Panthers find their way back in 2019.



QB — Dematrius Davis Jr., North Shore (Houston) | Jr. | 5-11 | 190
Named the Sophomore Player of the Year after leading the Mustangs to a 6A Division 1 state title and a No. 1 spot in our final Top 25 rankings. He was responsible for nearly 4,000 yards of total offense and 49 touchdowns while leading North Shore to a 16-0 record.

RB — Zachary Evans, North Shore (Houston) | Sr. | 5-11 | 200
The No. 1 rated running back in the Class of 2020, he has a chance to be one of the best players to ever come from Texas. He rushed for nearly 2,000 yards and 29 touchdowns during his junior season.

RB — Jase McClellan, Aledo | Sr. | 5-10 | 200
The 2020 Oklahoma commit has been putting up numbers since his freshman season. He's rushed for nearly 5,000 yards and 95 touchdowns during his career and is going for his third state title in 2019.

WR - Demond Demas, Tomball | Sr. | 6-3 | 185
The 5-star and Texas A&M pledge averaged more than 30 yards/reception in 2018 and had over 1,500 yards receiving.

WR — Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rockwall | Sr. | 6-1 | 190
Ohio State's class of 2020 wide receivers is off the charts and one of the big-time prospects headed to Columbus is Smith-Njigba. He hauled in 96 receptions for over 1,800 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2018.

TE — Jalin Conyers, Gruver | Sr. | 6-4 | 220
The 2020 Oklahoma commit is the No. 2 rated tight end on 247sports for the Class of 2020. He had nearly 700 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns as a junior and expect an even bigger senior campaign.

OL — Nate Anderson, Reedy (Frisco) | Sr. | 6-5 | 265
The top rated offensive guard in the country and the Oklahoma pledge led the Lions to a 13-1 record in 2018 with their only loss coming against Aledo in the 5A Division 2 quarterfinals.

OL — Damieon George, North Shore (Houston) | Sr. | 6-6.5 | 350
One of four First Team selections for the defending national champions. The 2020 Alabama commit leads one of the biggest and most talented offensive lines in the country.

The 5-star offensive tackle checks in as the top prospect in Texas from the Class of 2021 and is the No. 3 rated recruit overall.



OL — Donovan Jackson, Episcopal (Bellaire) | Jr. | 6-4 | 310
Showed he belongs with the nation's elite when he was named the offensive line MVP at The Opening earlier this summer.

The 2020 Texas commit is one of the most complete lineman in the country.

Dangerous with his feet and arm. Threw for nearly 2,000 yards and had 23 touchdowns to only two interceptions and added another 700-plus yards on the ground to go with 13 more scores.

K — Jared Zirkel, Tivy (Kerrville) | Sr. | 6-3 | 185
The 2020 Georgia commit is one of the best kickers in the game.

First Team Defense
Kendrick Blackshire, Duncanville
Kendrick Blackshire, Duncanville
File photo by Robbie Rakestraw
DL — Prince Dorbah, Highland Park (Dallas) | Sr. | 6-2 | 210
 2020 Texas commit had 21 sacks during his junior season and will be an absolute nightmare for opposing quarterbacks in 2019. 

DL — Vernon Broughton, Cypress Ridge (Houston) | Sr. | 6-5 | 285
The Texas Longhorns have two future players featured on the first team defensive line and joining Dorbah is the 4-star Broughton. He checks in as a Top 100 player overall for the Class of 2020 and is the No. 7 rated defensive tackle.



DL — Ja'Tavion Sanders, Ryan (Denton) | Jr. | 6-3 | 220
The 4-star athlete gets it done on both sides of the ball. He had 23 tackles for loss and nine and a half sacks to go with nearly 400 yards receiving and five touchdowns during his sophomore campaign.

The 5-star edge rusher checks in as the No. 2 weak side defensive end in the Class of 2021 and is the No. 4 rated player in the state. He led the Hawks to a state title in 2017 and will have them in contention again during his junior year.

LB — Kendrick Blackshire, Duncanville | Jr. | 6-2 | 250
Not just one of the best linebackers from the Class of 2021, he is one of the top defensive players in the country. The 4-star talent transferred from Horn (Mesquite) and gives the Panthers one of the nastiest defenses in the game.

LB — Josh White, Cypress Creek (Houston) | Sr. | 6-1 | 200
The 2020 LSU commit does it all. He's great in coverage, his sideline-to-sideline ability is off the charts and he doesn't miss tackles.

LB — Corey Flagg Jr., North Shore (Houston) | Sr. | 5-10 | 225
The leader on defense for the No. 1 team in the country during his junior season, he led North Shore with 144 tackles and also had 33 tackles for loss, four sacks and forced four fumbles.

DB — RJ Mickens, Carroll (Southlake) | Sr. | 6-0 | 200
His dad (Ray Mickens) was one of the best nickel corners in the NFL for over a decade and his son's potential is even higher. The 2020 Clemson commit is one of the best all-around players from the Lone Star State.

DB — Chris Thompson Jr., Duncanville | Sr. | 6-2 | 200
If you like savages then this is your guy. The 2020 Auburn commit hits harder than any other defensive back in the country and will help give the Panthers one of the top defenses in the nation.

DB — Xavion Alford, Shadow Creek (Pearland) | Sr. | 6-0 | 190
The Sharks were one of the best stories of 2018 after going 15-1 and making it all the way to the 5A Division 1 state championship. Expect them to be in contention again this season with one of the top defenses in the country led by Alford.



DB — Jaylon Jones, Steele (Cibolo) | Sr. | 6-1 | 190
The 2020 Texas A&M commit is the top rated safety from the Class of 2020. The 5-star has the same potential as former Knights' standout Caden Sterns.

AP — Drew Sanders, Ryan (Denton) | Sr. | 6-5 | 230
The 2020 Alabama commit is the complete package. He'll be a big-time linebacker for Alabama at the next level but for the Raiders he does it all. The 5-star beast racked up 119 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, eight sacks, three interceptions and scored 19 touchdowns on offense.

P — Kaden Wooster, Kingwood | Jr. | 6-1 | 165
Has a chance to be the best punter in the country from the Class of 2021. Averaged nearly 45 yards per punt and nearly 40 percent of them went inside the 20.

Second Team Offense
Reuben Fatheree, Foster
Reuben Fatheree, Foster
File photo by Joe Calomeni
QB — Haynes King, Longview (Longview) | Sr. | 6-2 | 190
The 2020 Texas A&M commit led the Lobos to their first state title since 1937 and will have them in contention to repeat. He accounted for over 4,500 yards of total offense and 50 touchdowns.

QB — Hudson Card, Lake Travis (Austin) | Sr. | 6-2 | 180
Lake Travis has produced some of the best quarterbacks in the country. Baker Mayfield, Garrett Gilbert, Michael Brewer, Charlie Brewer and Todd Reesing are some of the notable past greats and you can add Card to that list. The 2020 Texas commit had over 4,000 yards of total offense and 59 touchdowns in 2018.

RB — EJ Smith, Dallas Jesuit (Dallas) | Sr. | 5-11 | 200
Smith is one of the best all-around running backs in the country. He's just as dangerous lining up as a wide receiver and is a nightmare matchup for opposing defenses.



RB — Seth McGowan, Poteet (Mesquite) | Sr. | 5-11 | 215
The 2020 Oklahoma commit rushed for over 1,600 yards and 25 touchdowns during his junior campaign and expect a monster senior season for the 4-star running back.

WR — Shadrach Banks, North Shore (Houston) | Jr. | 6-0 | 210
Banks put on a show during his sophomore season leading the Mustangs to a 6A Division 1 state title. The 2021 Texas A&M commit had 1,300 yards receiving and 17 touchdowns in 2018.

One of the most productive receivers in Texas as a junior, the Penn State pledge hauled in 75 receptions for over 1,400 yards and 18 touchdowns.

TE — Blake Smith, Carroll (Southlake) | Sr. | 6-4 | 250
One of five Texas A&M commits to be named to the All-State team. Expect him to be one of the most productive tight ends in the country with Quinn Ewers under center.

OL — Savion Byrd, Duncanville | Jr. | 6-5 | 265
One of the most talented players from the Class of 2021 and will play a major factor in the trenches for one of the best teams in the nation.

OL — Reuben Fatheree, Foster (Richmond) | Jr. | 6-8 | 305
It is crazy the amount of talent on the offensive line in Texas from the Class of 2021. Fatheree is one of five junior selections.

OL — Chad Lindberg, Clear Creek (League City) | Sr. | 6-6.5 | 325
The 2020 Georgia commit is one of the most well-rounded offensive tackles in the nation.

OL — Garrett Hayes, Athens | Sr. | 6-5 | 295
Hayes has over 20 FBS offers and the team that lands the 4-star offensive tackle will get one of the best lineman in the country.

OL — Hayden Conner, Taylor (Katy) | Jr. | 6-5 | 315
Conner is one of eight Texas commits. Tom Herman is doing a tremendous job recruiting in state talent and Conner is one of the best offensive tackles from the Class of 2021.

AP — Devon Achane, Fort Bend Marshall (Missouri City) | Sr. | 5-9 | 170
Fort Bend Marshall has two of the most dangerous playmakers in the state in Malik Hornsby and Achane. The 4-star all purpose back was team's leader in rushing and receiving in 2018.

AP — Preston Stone, Parish Episcopal (Dallas) | Jr. | 6-2 | 205
He's drawing a lot of comparisons to another past Texas great quarterback — Johnny Manziel. Through his first two seasons he has accounted for over 7,000 yards of offense and 86 touchdowns.



Second Team Defense
Alec Bryant, Shadow Creek
Alec Bryant, Shadow Creek
File photo by Maria Lysaker
DL — James Sylvester, Newton | Sr. | 6-4 | 225
The 2020 TCU commit had 100 tackles, 21 tackles for loss and eight sacks during his junior season and will be one of the most productive defensive players in 2019.

DL — Alec Bryant, Shadow Creek (Pearland) | Sr. | 6-3 | 230
He's one of three Sharks defensive players and the 2020 LSU commit had 24 tackles for loss and 13 sacks during his junior season. 

DL — Alfred Collins, Cedar Creek (Bastrop) | Sr. | 6-5 | 275
4-star defensive end has already received offers from Alabama, Oklahoma, LSU, Texas and a handful of other programs, and he also gets it done on the basketball court averaging 14 points and eight rebounds during his junior season.

DL — Tunmise Adeleye, Tompkins (Katy) | Jr. | 6-3 | 260
Alabama, Oklahoma, Michigan and Florida are just four of the 26 FBS offers to his name. He's one of the most gifted players from the Class of 2021 and was named to the Sophomore All-American team last season.

LB — Brennon Scott, Bishop Dunne (Dallas) | Sr. | 6-0.5 | 235
The 2020 Kansas commit had 80 tackles and 14 sacks during his junior year and expect another productive season for the 4-star linebacker.

LB — Jeremiah Harris, Shadow Creek (Pearland) | Sr. | 6-1 | 205
Harris gives the Sharks a defensive player selected on the All-State team from every level on defense. The 2020 Kansas State commit had 90 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 15 sacks last year.

LB — Derrick Harris Jr., New Caney (New Caney) | Jr. | 6-2 | 215
The 2021 prospect is one of the top linebackers in the state regardless of class. As a sophomore he posted 83 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss and had two interceptions.

DB — Lorando Johnson, Lancaster | Sr. | 5-11 | 180
You know you are a big-time defensive back if you are an LSU commit and that exactly what Johnson is. The 4-star cornerback is the complete package.

DB — Dwight McGlothern Jr., Klein Oak (Spring) | Sr. | 6-1 | 180
The 4-star defensive back has some of the best instincts in the country and always finds himself around the football.



Georgia's commits from the Class of 2020 are very impressive and one of the biggest gets is Kimber. The 4-star defensive back checks in as the No. 6 cornerback on 247sports composite rankings.

DB — Ryan Watts, Little Elm | Sr. | 6-3 | 190
Back in April the 4-star cornerback committed to Oklahoma and it's safe to say the Sooners have one of the best players from the Lone Star State headed their way.

AP — Jahari Rogers, Arlington | Sr. | 6-0 | 170
The 2020 Florida commit will play in the secondary at the next level but he has put on a show no matter where he lines up on Friday nights. He threw for over 2,600 yards and 31 touchdowns while adding another 800-plus yards on the ground with 15 more scores.

AP — Billy Bowman, Ryan (Denton) | Jr. | 5-10 | 175
The third and final player from Denton Ryan rounds out the list of all-state selections. Just like Drew Sanders and Ja'Tavion Sanders, he plays at a high level on both sides of the ball. The 2021 Texas commit led the Raiders in receptions and interceptions during his sophomore campaign.