2026 Texas Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 high school football rankings

The Lone Star State is the deepest in the country with 15 teams in initial top 100.

By
Aug 3, 2026, 12:00pm
After a 12-2 campaign and state runner-up finish in 2025, Duncanville claims the initial top spot in the state of Texas entering 2026.

The Panthers fell three points shy of a fourth state championship, but return a wealth of talent, including four-star wide receiver Trenton Yancey (Purdue commit), three-star cornerback Jonathan Barnes (UCF) and three-star offensive lineman Aiden Williams (Texas State) from the class of 2027 as well as 2028 recruits Kendrick Harris, Brayden Arnold and Janero Welch.

Texas has the most teams ranking in the MaxPreps top 100 to start the season with 15. Duncanville starts at No. 10, followed by Allen at 18, North Shore (Houston) at 27, Southlake Carroll (Southlake) at 29, DeSoto at 33, South Oak Cliff (Dallas) at 36, Waxahachie at 50, North Crowley (Fort Worth) at 54, Aledo at 57, King (Houston) at 59, Summer Creek (Houston) at 64, Guyer (Denton) at 68, Smithson Valley (Spring Branch) at 76, Randle (Richmond) at 86 and Coppell at 92.

Perhaps the best player in the state is Landen Callis-Williams of Randle, last year's MaxPreps Texas Player of the Year. Other five-star seniors include defensive lineman Jalen Brewster of Cedar Hill (Texas Tech commit) and offensive tackle Ismael Camara of Gilmer (Texas). Jaylen Addai of Shadow Creek (Pearland) and James Foster III of Lancaster highlight some of the top 2028 recruits.

Reigning 11-man state champions in Texas include Hamilton in 2A-I, Muenster in 2A-II, Yoakum in 3A-I, Wall in 3A-II, Stephenville in 4A-I, Carthage in 4A-II, Smithson Valley in 5A-I, South Oak Cliff in 5A-II, North Shore in 6A-I, DeSoto in 6A-II, Oakridge (Arlington) in Southwest Prep 3A, Kinkaid (Houston) in Southwest Prep 4A, Texas Wind (Waco) in TAIAO I, Harvest Christian Academy (Bartonville) in TAIAO II, Grace Academy (Georgetown) in TAIAO III, Parish Episcopal (Dallas) in TAPPS I, All Saints (Fort Worth) in TAPPS II, Lubbock Christian (Lubbock) in TAPPS III and First Baptist (Dallas) in TAPPS IV.
Duncanville receiver Trenton Yancey (left) looks to lead the Panthers back to state championship contention. (PHOTO: Rafael Lopez)
Duncanville receiver Trenton Yancey (left) looks to lead the Panthers back to state championship contention. (PHOTO: Rafael Lopez)
MaxPreps Preseason Texas Top 25
1. Duncanville, 12-2 in 2025
2. Allen, 14-1
3. North Shore (Houston), 14-2
4. Southlake Carroll (Southlake), 14-1
5. DeSoto, 13-3
6. South Oak Cliff (Dallas), 15-1
7. Waxahachie, 11-2
8. North Crowley (Fort Worth), 12-2
9. Aledo, 14-1
10. King (Houston), 13-3
11. Summer Creek (Houston), 12-2
12. Guyer (Denton), 11-3
13. Smithson Valley (Spring Branch), 15-1
14. Randle (Richmond), 15-1
15. Coppell, 10-2
16. Carthage, 16-0
17. Stephenville, 16-0
18. Lake Travis (Austin), 14-1
19. Prosper, 11-2
20. Atascocita (Humble), 6-5
21. Westlake (Austin), 7-4
22. Longview, 7-5
23. Lone Star (Frisco), 15-1
24. Celina, 14-1
25. Argyle, 12-2

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