2026’s Gaining Traction in the Houston Area

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Listed below are juniors who have made great impacts for their teams this season. They have stepped up in big moments and have developed well throughout the year. They will be names to follow towards the end of this season and heading into next season as well.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Xaviera Campbell | WR | Stratford</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Campbell is a deep threat who shows good drive off the snap. He gets defensive backs on their heels and has the speed to blow by them and take the top off of a secondary. Campbell has shown to be a player who excels in space, with the speed to beat anybody using angles and is crafty after the catch. His suddenness generates positive plays and he is a playmaker who gives the offense more room to operate with his big play abilities. Campbell will be the leading man next season and we are getting flashes of it now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17959165/670c0307202b8296d03485d2' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6721a8d412682"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1645315' first='William' last='Mayes'] | TE | Tompkins</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mayes' physicality is what pops out in his game. He is a ruthless blocker who will drive opponents into the ground and free up his runners. He is what teams look for in a tight end, taking advantage of his frame and being a receiving threat as well. Mayes shows strong hands with quick reactions, snagging the ball and keeping drives alive. Mayes is a player to know in the area. His most impactful plays may not show in the box score but he is a standout on the field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17954134/6702e7089837d57bdf78eb2a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6721a8d4126b7"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1634701' first='Ayden' last='Combs'] | LB | Cypress Ranch </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Combs is a certified dawg for the Mustang defense. He plays fast and physical, running sideline to sideline, and looks to make the big plays when needed. Combs locates the ball and shows incredible closing speed, wrapping up ball carries for minimal gains. He has displayed excellent pass rushing skills as well, using his speed and quickness to get into the backfield and generate pressures and sacks. Combs is a standout who produces whenever he touches the field. He will be amongst the top at the position and a crucial player contributing to the Mustangs success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18267110/6702ac7b096ee3107bb5eeef' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6721a8d4126d7"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jaeden Spelmon | DB | Paetow</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Spelmon has shown his ability to roam and lockdown a secondary this season. His awareness combined with his reaction speed has led to turnovers and crucial PBUs. Spelmon undercuts routes with precision and has true ball-hawking skills. He has tremendous recovery speed and is no stranger to making big plays when needed. He is a player to know in the area with the skills he has shown this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18269821/67165e50c72f561a1c0e797f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6721a8d4126f6"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gabriel Collins | S | Cypress Falls</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Collins knows how to get downhill in a hurry and make forceful stops to limit gains. He shows great closing speed and lateral quickness, chasing ball carriers and getting them down to the ground. Collins shows very good awareness and recognition in the secondary, diagnosing and attacking the ball when in play. Collins plays a physical brand of ball and brings the energy when on the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17921731/66ef55862219e50b9a69762c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6721a8d412717"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->