High school football: Top 50 Texas players from the Class of 2022

By Mitch Stephens Aug 11, 2021, 1:00pm

North Shore cornerback Denver Harris headlines look at the Longhorn State's top senior prospects according to 247Sports.

Ahead of the 2021 high school football season, MaxPreps is breaking down the top senior prospects in the country state-by-state as rated by 247Sports. We continue the series with Texas, which opens play Aug. 27.

Texas leads the nation by a wide margin with nine five-star recruits, led by North Shore cornerback Denver Harris. Interestingly, Harris, No. 2 prospect Devon Campbell, a interior offensive lineman from Bowie (Arlington) and No. 3 Harold Perkins, a linebacker from Cy Park (Cypress), have yet to make college commitments.

Of the next 47 prospects in the state, 36 have picked their colleges as of Aug. 11, with the top two destination spots by far being in-state. Texas A&M is the leader with nine Top 50 Texas recruits, while the University of Texas claims eight.

247SPORTS: Texas composite player rankings

Oklahoma is the next most popular landing spot with three, followed by Oregon, Ohio State, Florida and SMU all with two top recruits. Eight other colleges have commitments from one Texas elite prospect.



As far as positions, defensive backs rule the state with 11 top 50 prospects, followed by wide receivers and offensive linemen (nine apiece), defensive linemen (seven), running backs (five), linebackers (four) and quarterbacks (three).

Unlike many states where the top teams are dominated by the top recruits, Texas' elite prospects are spread out. Perennial national power Katy leads all schools with three players on the following list, but no other school has more than two.
North Shore cornerback Denver Harris (3) is Texas' top senior prospect.
North Shore cornerback Denver Harris (3) is Texas' top senior prospect.
File photo by Rob August
Top 20 Texas prospects from Class of 2022

1. Denver Harris | North Shore (Houston)
6-1 | 180 | CB | Undecided

The third-ranked cornerback in the country and No. 9 recruit overall is long and athletic. He's been compared to Jeff Okudah of the Detroit Lions. First-team MaxPreps Junior All-American led North Shore to a state title as a sophomore and 6A-1 semifinals in 2020, when named District Defensive Player of the Year. Of 38 offers, he's taken official visits to Alabama, LSU and Texas.

2. Devon Campbell | Bowie (Arlington)
6-3 | 310 | IOL | Undecided

Five-star recruit is No. 10 recruit overall and No. 1 interior offensive lineman. Impressive on the gridiron, basketball court and weight room. Of 31 offers has taken official visits to Oklahoma and USC.

3. Harold Perkins | Cypress Park (Cypress)
6-2.5 | 200 | LB | Undecided

Of his 47 tackles in 202, 14.5 were for loss with three sacks, six pass breakups and three forced fumbles. Also rushed for 983 yards on just 96 carries and 14 TDs. Has taken official visits to Oregon, Florida and Texas.

4. Kelvin Banks | Summer Creek (Houston)
6-5 | 300 | OT | Oregon

Ranked the No. 2 OT in the country and No. 14 recruit overall. Compared to a young Austin Jackson of the Miami Dolphins.

5. Evan Stewart | Liberty (Frisco)
6-0 | 175 | WR | Undecided

Has 89 career catches for 1,670 yards and 16 touchdowns. Also a track star with top marks in the long jump (24 feet, 6½ inches), triple jump (48-09), 100 meters (10.58) and 200 (21.38). The nation's No. 3 ranked WR has 37 offers but official visits to Texas and Florida.



6. Omari Abor | Duncanville
6-4 | 240 | DE | Undecided

Ferocious menace on defensive end, Abor is nation's No. 24 recruit overall. He's a three-sport standout, with excellence also in basketball and track and field. Duncanville is ranked No. 15 nationally in MaxPreps Top 25.

7. Conner Weigman | Bridgeland (Cypress)
6-2 | 208 | QB | Texas A&M

Highly productive dual threat has passed for 6,313 yards and 69 yards the last two seasons while rushing for 1,310 and 16 more. The 5-star standout is ranked the No. 25 recruit overall.

8. Bear Alexander | Brewer (Fort Worth)
6-3 | 325 | DL | Undecided

MaxPreps second-team junior All-American helped Ryan (Denton) to a state 5A-1 state title. Has 29 college offers but taken official visits to Alabama and Miami.

9. Cade Klubnik | Westlake (Austin)
6-2.5 | 186 | QB | Clemson

After leading Chaparrals to state 6A-D1 state title, he won the Elite 11 quarterback competition in July. Dual threat threw for 3,495 yards and 35 touchdowns (just three interceptions) and rushed for 583 yards and 15 more scores. Ranked the fourth best QB in the country and No. 32 recruit overall.

10. Caleb Burton | Lake Travis (Austin)
6-0 | 175 | WR | Ohio State

After hauling in 83 passes for 1,491 yards and 18 touchdowns as a freshman and sophomore, Burton missed most of his junior year with a knee injury. That didn't deter 39 colleges that made him offers. He's ranked the No. 4 wide receiver in the country.

11. Terrance Brooks | Little Elm
6-11 | 190 | CB | Ohio State

Played at TAPPs power John Paul II for two seasons. Has 40 offers, but committed to the Buckeyes on June 30 after an official visit to Columbus nine days earlier.

12. Bryce Anderson | West Brook (Beaumont)
6-0 | 190 | S | Texas A&M

Extremely versatile and fast athlete who made first-team All-District as a QB in 2020. Also a tremendous sprinter, with top times of 10.48 in the 100 and 21.20 in the 200.



13. Malick Sylia | Katy
6-6 | 230 | DE | Texas A&M

Missed final three games with an injury but was still unanimous first-team all-District. Compared to young Gregory Rousseau of the Buffalo Bills.

14. PJ Williams | Dickinson
6-4 | 265 | OT | Texas A&M

Tremendous feet and athleticism for a big man. Averaged 9.1 points and 7.1 rebounds for the Dickinson basketball team. Big wingspan. Picked Aggies over Arizona State, Texas, Auburn and Baylore among others.

15. Brenen Thompson | Spearman
5-10 | 175 | WR | Undecided

Speedy receiver was first-team 3A All-State selection. Has run top track times of 10.38 in the 100 and 21.27 in the 200, the latter winning him a state title.
Brenen Thompson, Spearman
Brenen Thompson, Spearman
File photo by David Erickson
16. Julian Humphrey | Clear Lake (Houston)
6-1 | 185 | CB | Florida

Has 51 career tackles, 15 pass breakups and two interceptions. Elite speed, has run 10.55 in the 100 and 21.17 in the 200.

17. Bryan Allen Jr. | Aledo
6-0 | 185 | S | Texas

A top 100 national recruit and No. 7 ranked safety, Allen had 67 tackles and two interceptions in 2020. The Texas Sportswriters Association 5A Defensive Player of the Year.

18. Kobie McKinzie | Cooper (Lubbock)
6-2 | 245 | LB | Oklahoma

MaxPreps Junior All-American second teamer has been compared to Clemson linebacker Tre Lamar.

19. Kam Dewberry | Atascocita (Humble)
6-4 | 313 | OT | Undecided

After earning MaxPreps Sophomore All-American honors in 2019, helped the team to the third-round of the 6A-1 playoffs. Has 32 offers but taken official visits to Oklahoma, Ohio State and Texas A&M.

20. Chace Biddle | Garland
6-0 | 190 | S | SMU

Nation's No. 8 rated safety, Garland ran 10.70 in the 100 as a sophomore. He missed track season as a junior due to injury.

21. Chris Marshall | Fort Bend Marshall (Missouri City)
6-3 | 195 | WR | Undecided

The nation's No. 15 rated wide receiver had 45 catches for 1,009 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2020. Has 24 offers, but took official visits to USC and Texas A&M.



22. Jaydon Blue | Klein Cain (Houston)
5-11.5 | 205 | RB | Texas

Has rushed for 3,767 yards and 46 touchdowns over the last two seasons and added 29 receptions. Also a track sprinter, Blue has run 10.70 in the 100. Committed to the Longhorns on Feb. 2. Blue announced in May that he won't play his senior season while focusing instead on his academics and health.

23. Jaray Bledsoe | Marlin
6-4 | 270 | DL | Undecided

First-team All-District as both a defensive lineman and running back last season at Bremond, Bledsoe has 14 offers. He took official visits to Texas and Texas A&M. He had 104 tackles, 17 for loss, in 2020 when he also rushed for 1,259 yards and 21 touchdowns.

24. Jordan Hudson | Garland
6-1 | 180 | WR | SMU

Has hauled in 127 passes the last two seasons for 2,078 yards and 30 touchdowns. Was District 9-6A Offensive Player of the Year.

25. Donovan Green | Dickinson
6-4 | 235 | TE | Texas A&M

Nation's No. 4 rated tight end has 60 career catches for 1,067 yards and nine touchdowns. Was District 24-6A Co-Offensive Player of the Year in 2020.

Best of the rest

26. Neto Umeozulu | Allen | 6-4 | 285 | IOL | Undecided
27. Ernest Cooper IV | Martin (Arlington)| 6-4 | 235 | DL | Undecided
28. Jaylon Guilbeau | Port Arthur Memorial (Port Arthur) | 5-11.5 | 175 | CB | Undecided
29. Armani Winfield | Lewisville | 6-2 | 180 | WR | Texas
30. Tavourus Jones | Burges (El Paso) | 5-10 | 195 | RB | Missouri
31. Jamarion Miller | Tyler Legacy (Tyler) | 5-10 | 195 | RB | Texas
32. Bobby Taylor | Katy | 6-1 | 180 | CB | Texas A&M
33. Austin Jordan | Ryan (Denton) | 6-0 | 190 | S | Texas
34. DJ Allen | Gladewater | 5-11 | 185 | WR | Undecided
35. Jaylen Early | Duncanville | 6-4 | 320 | IOL | Florida State
36. Cristian Driver | Liberty Christian (Argyle) | 5-11 | 185 | S | Penn State
37. Nick Evers | Flower Mound | 6-3 | 188 | QB | Florida
38. Jadarian Price | Denison | 5-11 | 180 | RB | Notre Dame
39. Nicholas Anderson | Katy | 6-3.5 | 195 | WR | Oregon
40. Hunter Erb | V.R. Eaton (Fort Worth) | 6-6 | 305 | OT Texas A&M
41. Jarred Kerr| Lexington | 6-0 | 185 | S | Texas A&M
42. Kip Lewis | Carthage | 6-1 | 200 | LB | Oklahoma
43. Ollie Gordon | Trinity (Euless) | 6-1 | 210 | RB | Oklahoma State
44. Kris Ross | North Shore | 6-3 | 280 | DL | Texas
45. Derrick Brown | Texas (Texarkana) | 6-3 | 210 | DE | Texas
46. Matthew Golden | Klein Cain | 6-1 | 190 | WR | TCU
47. Emeka Megwa| Timber Creek (Fort Worth) | 6-1 | 220 | ATH | Washington
48. Ish Harris | Pilot Point | 6-3 | 195 | LB | Texas A&M
49. Cole Hutson | Frisco | 6-5 | 312 | IOL | Texas
50. Demetrius Hunter | West Orange-Stark (Orange) | 6-2 | 315 | IOL | Oklahoma