West Texas: 10 2026 Prospects To Watch In The Permian Basin

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Permian Basin of West Texas is filled with plenty of talented 2026 prospects. Many had outstanding sophomore seasons in 2023 and look to stay on an upward trajectory in 2024. Here are 10 2026 prospects to watch in the Permian Basin:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Joel Aguilar, Pecos</strong>: Aguilar was a tackling machine for Pecos in 2023, finishing with 111 tackles (67 solo) and 3 QB hurries from his inside linebacker spot.. He was far and away Pecos' tackling leader. He has good size at 6-foot-0, 185 pounds and will only grow and develop over the next two years. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hayden Bowlin, Forsan</strong>: The Buffaloes love to run the football but when they did put it in the air, Bowlin was usually the target. He finished with a team high 29 receptions for 631 yards and 9 TD. He also scored 3 TD on just 9 rushing attempts. Bowlin will definitely have a larger role in Forsan's offensive attack in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jaesean DeBouse, Andrews</strong>: DeBouse was the second most productive 2026 running back in Region I last season with 2,236 rushing yards and 24 TD on a workhorse 203 carries. With a 5-foot-9, 180-pound frame, DeBouse is a powerful RB with a low center of gravity. He's tough to tackle. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1507591' first='Caden' last='Ellis'], Midland Legacy</strong>: Ellis excelled as both a receiver and kick returner for the Rebels in 2023. He caught 26 passes for 407 yards and 5 TD and totaled 174 yards on 7 kickoff returns, including a 75-yard return. Ellis has two more years to showcase his dynamic skills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jakob Garcia, Odessa Permian</strong>: Garcia sits in the chair of one of the most scrutinized jobs in West Texas high school football – starting QB for Odessa Permian. In&nbsp; 2023, Garcia completed 56.2 percent of his passes for 872 yards and 12 TD while rushing for 208 yards and 3 TD. Garcia should take the next step in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Daedrick Hardwick, Alpine</strong>: Hardwick filled several valuable roles for Alpine in 2023, catching 35 passes for 488 yards and 3 TD while also serving as his team's primary returner on kickoffs and punts. He totaled 650 all-purpose yards in 2023 and that number only promises to grow in the future. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tristan Love, Midland</strong>: The Bulldogs' starting QB doesn't get a lot of opportunities to throw the football but Love made the most of his opportunities when he filled in for injured starter [player_tooltip player_id='445877' first='Stroman' last='Bridges'] in 2023. He also rushed for 532 yards on 79 carries in Midland's powerful ground assault. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kasch Norman, Fort Stockton</strong>: With Fort Stockton's top three rushers graduating this spring, Norman seems ready take over as the Panthers' top RB after rushing for 330 yards and averaging 11.8 yards per attempt in 2023. He also caught 27 passes, making him an intriguing two-dimensional player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Andrew Rodriguez, Odessa</strong>: One of the top young wide receivers in West Texas, Rodriguez caught 37 passes for 658 yards and 7 TD in Odessa's high-powered passing attack. The Bronchos' top WR (Ivan Carreon) signed with Oklahoma, so Rodriguez will get even more balls thrown his way in 2024. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Omar Salgado Jr., Pecos</strong>: After serving as Pecos' backup QB as well as a linebacker on defense in 2023, Salgado Jr. is primed for a larger role with Pecos in 2024. The Eagles lose their top three rushers to graduation (including 1,200+ yard rusher Johnny Morales), so Salgado could take over there. He had 45 tackles on defense in 2023.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/OdessaPermian/status/1753304068867457257?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/OdessaPermian/status/1753304068867457257?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>   </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/MOJOFB1/status/1729603645962854667?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MOJOFB1/status/1729603645962854667?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Brandon_Smith52/status/1748879416443220125?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Brandon_Smith52/status/1748879416443220125?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/midlandhighfb/status/1733232113753763857?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/midlandhighfb/status/1733232113753763857?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->