Houston Defenses: Sophomore Spotlight

Texas high school football is here next week! Around the Houston area, juniors and seniors are ready to continue and finish their legacies, but you can't approach the season as a fan without knowing about the elite talent across the region in the 2028 class. After previewing the offensive side of the topic, let's dive into five of the top defensive sophomores to know around HTX this season.    Sherman is a versatile free safety who flashes great play in space and the quickness and instincts needed to play sideline to sideline. He's a ball magnet over the middle of the field and also excels at getting downhill and breaking down to disrupt run plays. Cordey also demonstrates twitchiness and overall speed to make plays all over the field. The polish and instinctiveness Sherman showed as a freshman were extremely impressive. These traits allowed the star DB to compile 24 tackles, 3 INTs, and 11 pass breakups in 2024. Sherman should be in store for another productive season for the Wildcats this season, as he builds upon an early offer list that includes schools such as Baylor, Mississippi State, and SMU.      A dynamic young two-way star, Bonik showcases a rare combination of explosive speed and pure power. He plays with a high motor, great burst, and physical finishes. While he also provides immense value at the running back position, Brayden projects to be a hybrid-style outside linebacker at the next level. His 4.46 speed and raw strength allow him to excel at playing in space and rushing the passer. Bonik displays solid short-area quickness, great tackling ability, and the bend to disrupt and finish plays in the backfield. I expect Brayden to be one of the premier breakout players in the 2028 class this year. The Panthers' dynamic playmaker has already received 25 offers from programs such as Penn State, Georgia, and Texas A&M.      A powerful and agile defensive tackle, Jacquet has sky-high potential to line up anywhere between a zero and three-tech at the college level. He showcases powerful hands at the line of scrimmage and consistently strikes out his hips with purpose off the snap. Oswald also possesses great change of direction and bend to finish in the backfield and come off the edge in stunt schemes. Jacquet is also intentional in his movements, demonstrating polished pad-level and body control. In just seven games as a freshman, the Panthers' DT produced 1 sack, 21 total tackles, and 9 TFLs. The dual-sport stud should break out on a national level during his sophomore season. Oswald's early offers include Houston, Texas Tech, and Sacramento State.      Simmons is a high-motor, hard-hitting nickelback with a lot of twitchiness and the ability to play sideline to sideline. He loves to fly around the field and lower his shoulder, disrupting both the pass and run games. He also possesses solid change of direction and short-area quickness. Simmons emerged as a versatile leader of the Pioneer defense already as a freshman, contributing greatly from either the top of the secondary or over the slot. His raw potential in coverage is already evident as well, but expect his footwork and hips to continue developing, thus producing an all-around elite DB. Kalen accumulated 36 total tackles and 4 TFLs during a successful freshman season. I predict Simmons to be one of the best defensive underclassmen in the state this year. He has received offers from schools such as Kentucky, Utah, and Baylor.      The second of the pair of King Panthers is a long, menacing outside linebacker in Sydnor. He displays great bend and change of direction off the edge to put himself in a great position to finish plays in the backfield. Cameron carries a long, powerful frame and is constantly violent and intentional at the point of attack. There are little to no questions regarding Sydnor's ability to sack the quarterback and disrupt the run game. His space play development will be key to his development at the outside backer position, and his physical traits and high level of effort suggest it will work. Watch for Sydnor to break out this season, as he adds to an offer list that includes Texas Tech, Georgia State, and Texas State.

Texas high school football is here next week! Around the Houston area, juniors and seniors are ready to continue and finish their legacies, but you can't approach the season as a fan without knowing about the elite talent across the region in the 2028 class. After previewing the offensive side of the topic, let's dive into five of the top defensive sophomores to know around HTX this season.