The Panhandle: 10 Intriguing 2025 Prospects You Should Know
In this article:
For many schools in the Texas Panhandle, the start of spring football practice is only a few weeks away. Here are some of the top 2025 prospects in the region: Jayden Acosta-Lewis, Caprock (DB): By helping to spark a Caprock…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingFor many schools in the Texas Panhandle, the start of spring football practice is only a few weeks away. Here are some of the top 2025 prospects in the region:
Jayden Acosta-Lewis, Caprock (DB): By helping to spark a Caprock defense that allowed just 10 points in their first three games last season, Acosta-Lewis was named District 2-5A Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore. Acosta-Lewis is fearless, and he’s only going to get better over the next couple of seasons.
Jackson Austin Jackson Austin 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Lubbock Cooper | 2025 State TX , Lubbock-Cooper (RB): Austin emerged last season as one of the top young running backs in West Texas, leading LCP with 678 rushing yards and yards per carry (7.6). He added 8 TDs. Austin earned Second-Team All-District honors. He’s also incredibly strong, joining LCP’s 1000pound club. Look for some FBS/FCS programs to soon start expressing interest in Austin.
Luke Arrington, Monterey (QB): Arrington signaled he could be ready for a huge junior season with a stellar MVP performance at the West Texas Showcase on Feb. 26. Standing 6-foot-5, Arrington possesses a strong throwing arm and has the look of a classic pocket passer considering how comfortable he is patiently waiting for receivers to get open. Arrington and 2024 RB Jayden Hibbler will make a formidable offensive backfield duo for Monterey in 2023.
Allen Gant, Coronado (DB): Three words describe Gant best – speed, speed, speed. Gant is definitely one of the fastest players in the Panhandle. Last weekend he blazed 100 meters in 10.65 seconds and the 200 meters in 21.77 seconds at the Pirate Relays. He’ll bring plenty of speed to the Coronado secondary this upcoming season He had 23 tackles and 1 INT as a sophomore last fall.
Hudson Hamilton Hudson Hamilton 6'4" | 260 lbs | OL Lubbock-Cooper | 2025 TX , Lubbock-Cooper (OL): Standing 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds, Hamilton’s emergence as one of the top young offensive linemen in the Panhandle took a major step forward at the West Texas Showcase in late February as Hamilton earned MVP honors at his position. One recruiting analyst aptly described Hamilton as “a mauler in the interior.” His height – and he’ll probably grow at least another inch or two over the next two years – suggests he could play tackle at the next level as well. Between Hamilton and Texas Tech commit Holton Hendrix, the Pirates’ O-Line will be scary good in 2023.
Bobby Ross, Estacado (RB/ATH): Well known in the 806 area code for his superb size and athleticism, Ross is one of the most sought after 2025 prospects in West Texas. He’s 6-foot-3, 205 pounds and runs with speed and power. In two seasons Ross has amassed 2,483 rushing yards and 10 TD. He already holds offers from Texas Tech, North Texas, UTSA and Texas State. By this point next year, far more schools should be involved.
Leyton Stone, Frenship (WR): Speaking of holding a Power 5 offer before your junior year, the 6-foot-2, 170-pound Stone was offered by Texas Tech in December. A month later, Texas State offered. Stone is explosive, lengthy, has good speed and makes difficult plays look easy. He had 64 receptions for 1,177 yards and 14 TD as a sophomore. Stone is also an outstanding basketball player, earning Honorable Mention All-District honors. Will there be a more dynamic QB-WR combination in the Panhandle this season that Frenship QB Hudson Hutcheson and Stone?
TJ Tillman TJ Tillman 6'0" | 165 lbs | ATH Amarillo Tascosa | 2025 State TX , Tascosa (DB): Another highly coveted 2024 Panhandle prospect. He excelled on both sides of the ball as a sophomore last fall, finishing with 39 tackles, 9 passes defended and 3 INT. The 6-foot-0, 170 pound Tillman has been offered by Texas Tech, Texas State and Stephen A. Austin. Texas has expressed interest. Tillman plans to visit TCU on March 24 and Texas on March 25.
Zakavian ‘Zae’ Washington, Coronado (LB): Washington is a talented young OLB with good speed. This spring he’s running track for Coronado and is a member of the JV 4×100 relay team. He had 22 tackles, 3.0 TFL and 1 sacks for CHS in 2022. Those numbers should jump significantly this season.
Aushaun Wilson, Tascosa (DB): Wilson is FAST. Even though he’s still a sophomore, he recently ran 100 meters in 10.73 seconds at a meet, one of the Top 25 fastest times in Texas this spring. Last season he set a school record for the longest interception return at 93 yards against Midland Legacy. That was one of 4 interceptions by Wilson in 2022. With his blazing speed, the sky is the limit for Wilson.
SPECIAL MENTION: Cub Patton, Lubbock-Cooper (PK). Kickers usually don’t get a whole lot of love from the media, but they should. Patton is one of the top field goal kickers in the entire state of Texas. He boomed a 50-yard FG as time expired to lift LCP to a dramatic 15-14 win over Coronado. His Twitter feed shows him blasting 60+ yard FGs in practice. He was named Second team All-State last season, and deservedly so.