Class of 2026 Headliners in the DFW Metroplex Part One
In this article:
The next wave of talented young ballers are primed and ready to make waves at the high school level as the leave middle school. The class of 2026 in the DFW area, is loaded with players who are one to…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe next wave of talented young ballers are primed and ready to make waves at the high school level as the leave middle school. The class of 2026 in the DFW area, is loaded with players who are one to two years from being impact players on the varsity level. Here are some standouts who were scouted on several 7v7 circuits this spring.
Jayden Shaw
C/O 2026
6’1 203
Position: Tight End
7v7: Texas Chaos
High School: Crowley
Twitter: @Jaydenboboshaw29
Shaw is a big body target, has an extended catch radius, understands how use his body to wall off defenders and has a knack for getting open. Jayden’s super power is his hands!! By far Shaw had the best hands on the field during the Texas VS The World Tournament in the 14U division. Jayden has late hands, he has soft , but firm mitts and his ability to make the contested catch in traffic made him the safety net for both of his quarterbacks. Shaw had several highlight reel catches including, a one handed stab on a corner route in the back of the end zone where he reached out with his big paw and brought the crowd to it’s feet. Jayden has the potential to add value to an offense with his ability to work the middle of the field from the tight end position and be the type of receiver who moves the chains.
https://twitter.com/JaydenboboShaw/status/1512397126663344128?s=20&t=FHNiO8IWYvwpF3qPWgyPiQ
Ethan Hellwig
C/O 2026
5’10 135 Lbs.
Position: Athlete
7v7: Hebron Hawks
High School: Hebron
Twitter: @Jayhellwig
Hellwig flat out brings it out on the field. Ethan is a vocal leader, demands excellence from his teammates and when he lined up in the Hawks secondary he was the quarterback of the defense. Hellwig was calling out coverages and directing traffic. Hellwig showed off his versatility by pulling double duty and playing as a wideout during the Texas Vs The World Tournament. Ethan runs precise routes, is shifty in space, he understands how to find open zones in the defense and was a tough cover. Hellwig is a hands catcher, has the athleticism to high point the ball in traffic and he showed the body control to make the big catch. I was a witness to several touchdown catches and contested grabs that Hellwig raked in on Sunday, which were impressive. As Hellwig continues to mature at Hebron as a player, look for Ethan to swoop in and grab some headlines in the future.
Aiden Whitmore
C/O 2026
6’4 170
Position: Wide Receiver
7v7: Texas Chaos
Twitter: @WhitmoreAiden
Whitemore is a game changer when he lines up, has the ability to separate at the line of scrimmage using his length and is a difficult cover for defenders. Aiden has the speed to stretch the defense, moves well in space and his knack for getting open shows his intelligence. Whitmore biggest asset is his ability to go up and use his large catch radius to dominate an opponent. Aiden has large hands that engulf the football, he uses his frame to hold off defenders and his high level athleticism allowed him to play above the rim. The 6’4 freshman to be has the build that coaches covet at wide receiver and as he matures look for him to make his presence known.
Bouncey!!!🏀 pic.twitter.com/QMg1fffVSp
— Aiden Whitmore (@WhitmoreAiden) June 3, 2022
These are some clips from today🏈🏈.Just tryna get better pic.twitter.com/6QxEEPQEkD
— Aiden Whitmore (@WhitmoreAiden) June 3, 2022
Noah Graves
C/O 2026
5’8 145
Position: Athlete
7v7: NTX United
High School: Flower Mound High School
Twitter: @noahgraves
Heading into is freshman season Graves has options when he steps on campus. This spring during 7v7 with NTX United, he played quarterback as well as wide receiver. As a quarterback Noah has a no fear mentality. He can fit the ball into tight windows and has good touch on his deep ball. Graves trust his arm, has a quick release and plays with confidence. But where Graves shows the most potential is when he lines up at receiver. He is extremely athletic and his quickness in space allows him to get open easily. Graves’s route running is crisp and he works the field well to find creases in the defense. Noah is a hand catcher and tracks the ball well in flight. His skill set will allow him to get some looks as a wide out early.
Dane Ridenour
C/O 2026
6’0 160 Lbs.
Position: Wide Receiver
7v7: NTX United
High School: Liberty Christian
Twitter: @Dane_Ridenour07
Dane is long, athletic and has a big catch radius. He high points the football and comes down with the difficult grabs consistently. Ridenour understands route concepts, runs the route tree like a veteran, which makes him a valuable target. What makes him standout is his ability to make catches in heavy traffic. Dane has the body control to put himself between the ball and the defender. Ridenour will turns heads as hits the high school football scene.
Carter Francis
C/O 2026
5’10 170 Lbs.
Position: Wide Receiver
7v7: NTX Untied
High School: Flower Marcus High School
Twitter: @CarterF18733541
Carter is phone booth quick, is shifty in open space and has the speed to work the middle of the field to make the deep catches. When it comes to being an elite hands catcher, Carter fits the mold. He consistently makes the difficult grab look routine. Francis excels at route running, sinks his hips well in and out of his breaks and changes direction quickly without losing acceleration. His well rounded game will be on full display the next four years at Marcus High School.
Check out this video!https://t.co/Ocmsl0FzGO
— Carter Francis (@Carterfrancis26) July 1, 2022
Braden Bauch
C/O 2026
6’3 175 Lbs.
Position: Athlete
7v7: Argyle Eagles
High School: Argyle
Twitter: @BradenBach2026
Bauch has a big, athletic frame and has great wing span. Braden’s skill set allows him to play on both sides of the ball. Braden’s versatility allows him to contribute on special teams as a deep snapper. After watching his fall 2021 film, Bauch is a menace on the defensive side of the football. He lines up as a defensive end, outside linebacker and causes havoc. Bauch sets the edge consistently, uses his length to ward off defenders and has the speed to run down the ball carrier from multiple angles. Bauch is an excellent open field tackler, runs from sideline to sideline and he keeps his shoulders square to the ball carrier. Using great leverage routinely, allows Braden to roam freely to make tackles. Bauch is a multi-sport athlete. Braden wrestles and plays basketball. Bauch will make noise for Argyle High School over the next four years.
#FirstDunkTenFoot pic.twitter.com/4rIS5UHilA
— Braden Bach (@BradenBach2026) May 17, 2022
Check out this highlight! https://t.co/xmkFwYDYxb
— Braden Bach (@BradenBach2026) June 2, 2022
https://twitter.com/BradenBach2026/status/1532475636337500180?s=20&t=FHNiO8IWYvwpF3qPWgyPiQ
Maxwell Bland
C/O 2026
6’2 195 Lbs.
Position: Linebacker
7v7: Argyle Eagles
High School: Argyle
Maxwell Bland stood out at several 7v7 tournaments this spring and is a player to watch as he prepares for his freshman season at Argyle High School this fall. Bland has a stout build and his lengthy wing span, allows him to get into passing lanes and be disruptive from his linebacker position. Bland moves smoothly in space and his ability to flip his hips allows him to pick up receivers and shut down his zone. Maxwell takes proper angles of pursuit and closes down the window between himself and his opponent quickly. At 6’2 195 pounds, he has the frame to add bulk as he matures. Bland is a future Eagles defender to keep an eye on for the next four years.
Kaedyn Cobbs Kaedyn Cobbs 6'1" | 190 lbs | DB Guyer | 2026 State TX
C/O 2026
6’0 180 Lbs.
Position: QB/DB
7v7: DFW Pride
High School: Denton Guyer
Twitter: @Kaedyn43
Cobbs has been impressive this offseason and seems to be improving at all aspects of his game each time that I’ve seen him compete. His natural athleticism, combined with a high football IQ make him a valuable asset on both sides of the ball. Cobbs plays the game with a calmness beyond his years, has laser like focus and doesn’t get rattled in pressure situations. From the cornerback position he plays press coverage well, using his length and strength to bully wideouts at the point of attack. Cobbs gets into his backpedal smoothly and doesn’t give ground easily while staying engaged. He uses his extended reach radius well to make it extremely difficult for opponents to fit the ball into small windows, which lead to multiple pass breakups and several interceptions. Kaedyn is a dual threat athletically and makes his presence known from the quarterback position. He stands tall, keeps his shoulders square to his target, has quiet feet and works the levels of the pocket well. Cobbs has a strong arm, has good touch on his deep ball and throws accurately on the run. When watching his final middle school season on film, Cobbs running ability makes him dangerous. Kaedyn has a compact, stout build that enables him to break tackles and move the chains. Cobbs is extremely effective in the RPO run game, as well as the quarterback designed runs, reads his blocks well, runs with patience and trust his eyes when reading the edge defender. He runs with power, has good forward body lean and possesses the speed to make a house call. His ability to accelerate and switch gears without losing speed displays his ability to strike from any distance. Look for Cobbs to make an impact for the Wildcats in the near future regardless of where he lines up.
🎵SWEET EMOTION🎵
6th Tourney win 🏆 #WeGotNext #DifferentBreed@ReedHeim @_CoachJJohnson @kylekeese @Jason_Howell @1KCobbs @KennyMatthews @creolehammer17 @MrTexasFootball @mike_gallegos16 @DentonGuyer_FB @_EliteProspects @DFWPrideFB pic.twitter.com/sqhBqShkQa— Kaedyn Cobbs (@Kaedyn43) June 8, 2022
8th Grade HL
🦍Don’t Push Me@_CoachJJohnson @kylekeese @Jason_Howell @Matt_Stepp817 @JoeJHoyt @1KCobbs @KennyMatthews @creolehammer17 @GPowersScout @Perroni247 @Elite11 @illbill03 @MDZgo @MrTexasFootball @TrueBuzzFB @CoachLeeVallejo pic.twitter.com/OLDJbxNflk— Kaedyn Cobbs (@Kaedyn43) November 10, 2021
Jaxson Dozier
C/O 2026
5’8 145 Lbs.
Position: Wide Receiver
7v7: DFW Pride
High School: Denton Ryan
Twitter: @Jaxson_Dozier
Dozier has jitterbug quickness, gets to his top speed without losing momentum and uses those traits to beat defenses consistently. Jaxson’s get off and explosion off the line of scrimmage allows him to get into his routes quickly. Jaxson also plays defensive back and uses his skills on that side of ball to lockdown his side of the field. He transitions fluidly into his backpedal, has good hand placement in press coverage and his footwork allows him to play fast. Dozier shows off his sprinter speed on the track as he also competes in the 200 meters and 100M races. Jaxson will be on the radar in the Denton Ryan program for the next four years.
Zavier Brown
C/O 2026
5’9 150 Lbs.
Position: Wide Receiver
7v7: DFW Pride
High School: Royse City
Twitter: @F33DH1M
Brown runs precise routes, gets in and out of breaks quickly and has the jitterbug quickness to beat defenders off of the line of scrimmage. His speed stretches the defense and makes him a deep threat from anywhere on the field. Zavier has the body control to go along with explosive leaping ability to go up and make the high point catch in traffic. Brown tracks the football well in flight and makes sight adjustments easily based on where the football is thrown. During one 7v7 tournament, Brown made a highlight reel, toe tap grab in the back of the end zone showing off his ball skills. His future at Royse City is bright and he will be giving opponents the blues on Friday nights for the next four years.
had fun at 7v7. @UConnFootball @CFBPlayoff @CowboyFB @OleMissFB @KU_Football @AlabamaFTBL @LSUfootball @OU_Football @OhioStateFB @HailStateFB pic.twitter.com/mPyljvrrI0
— Zavier Brown (@F33DH1M) April 21, 2022
Zander Elliott
C/O 2026
6’3 170
Position: Wide Receiver
7v7: DFW Pride, 940 Elite
High School: Denton Guyer
Twitter: @Zander2Elliot
Elliot has a high ceiling. Zander has a large catch radius, high points the football and has strong hands that enables him to make contested grabs in heavy traffic. He has the body control to adjust mid-air and extend himself to make catches. Elliot continues to improve on his route running each time that I’ve seen him compete, which is allowing him to get open consistently. He is a long strider with the ability to cover ground quickly. Elliot has the potential to develop into a 6’5 or 6’6 target and with his progression in the Guyer Wildcat strength and conditioning program he has the frame to become a big body tight end. Look for Elliot to turn in heads in the next couple of years over at Guyer.
Got some good work in today @TCUFootball camp today @CoachSonnyDykes @Marchen44 @mike_gallegos16 @DentonGuyer_FB @kylekeese @ReedHeim @CSmithScout @__WrGuru @Noohi @SkysTheLimitWR @drobalwayzopen @DontonioKeshon @JodiMontanaUSAK @940Elite @DFWPrideFB @MikeRoach247 @QuincyLCarter pic.twitter.com/a4YdWfOkUy
— Zander Elliott (@Zander2Elliott) June 4, 2022
Jaylen Pile Jaylen Pile 6'1" | 180 lbs | WR Parish Episcopal | 2026 State TX
C/O 2026
5’11 162
Position: Wide Receiver/ Defensive Back
High School: Southlake Carroll
7v7: FASST Elite 7v7
Twitter: @jaylenpile2026
Explosiveness is one of several traits that makes Pile special. When he lines up at wideout, his phonebooth quickness allows him to get clean releases off the line and keeps defenders from getting hands on him. Pile’s attention to route running is on display, as he consistently runs crisp routes. Having the hip flexibility to get good bend allows him to get in and out of his breaks without taking false steps. His ability to create separation initially at the point of attack enables to him pull away from defenders in the open field after the catch. Pile has the length to high point the football and extend himself above defenders despite what coverage he faces. The body control the he possesses separates him from his peers. Jaylen has excellent hands, he has the awareness to find open seams in the defense and he capitalizes on that by making big plays. Defensively, his natural instincts take over and he anticipates passes using his well trained vision. His footwork also leads him to being in the proper position, he stays in phase during his backpedal but drives on the football in flight. During film review of his last middle school season, Pile’s skill level is well beyond his opponents as he dominates the competition with the ball in his hands. Carroll will find ways to get Jaylen the ball and he will join the rich tradition of Dragon playmakers.
Put in work for 7v7 ‼️ Freshman SZN Loading 📈QB1 @AngeloRenda2026 🎯 @SLC_Recruiting @coachrdodge @BoomerCollins19 @bhoward_81 @AlPopsFootball @PrepRedzoneTX @fasstelite7v7 @247SportsSouth @playgridironfb pic.twitter.com/xuzKGRUWiX
— Jaylen Pile (@jaylenpile2026) July 1, 2022
2021 8th grade season ✅
End of season highlights ⬇️
#2 Jaylen Pile | WR/DB
Ht: 5’10 Wt: 158Film link: https://t.co/b9FPfWQhei pic.twitter.com/dKPUBBxZZ6
— Jaylen Pile (@jaylenpile2026) December 23, 2021