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Top Flight Defenders to Watch in the Semifinals

Top Flight Defenders to Watch in the Semifinals
Marcus Henry
Marcus Henry December 12, 2025 @ 04:24 PM
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In this article:

Cody Smith
Cody Smith 5'10" | 190 lbs | LB | 2028
TX
Carter Buck
Carter Buck 6'6" | 245 lbs | EDGE | 2026
TX
Kordae Houston
Kordae Houston 6'4" | 275 lbs | DL | 2026
TX
Jamarion Phillips
Jamarion Phillips 6'1" | 220 lbs | LB | 2026
TX
Marcell Gipson
Marcell Gipson 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB | 2026
TX
Lebron Bauer
Lebron Bauer 5'11" | 170 lbs | DB | 2026
TX
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the Texas high school football playoffs storm into the semifinal round, elite defenses will take center stage. With explosive offenses on every field, it's the difference-makers on the defensive side who will determine who punches their ticket to Championship Weekend. From dominant trench warriors to shutdown defensive backs, these top flight defenders are primed to make a major impact under the brightest lights. Here are the defenders you need to watch as the stakes rise and the margins tighten.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1229605"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-693c959326053"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A powerful, active force up front, Houston consistently collapses pockets and disrupts timing. His strength, agility, and motor will be crucial as SOC battles a high-powered Melissa offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["977555"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-693c9593260c3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elite feet and fluid hips make him a sticky, shutdown defender. Gipson closes space instantly and is a sure tackler in the open field. Expect him to be all over the field in their semifinal matchup with Melissa.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["977593"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-693c959326110"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A true do-it-all linebacker, strong vs. the run, disciplined vs. the pass, and explosive as a blitzer. Phillips' sideline-to-sideline range and physicality will be key to slowing down Melissa.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1862392"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-693c95932615a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A rising star with range, instincts, and striking power. Smith is a sure tackler who plays fast and fearless. His presence adds another dimension to SOC's elite defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1462659"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-693c9593261a2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Carter has a long, lean frame, he is fast, and disruptive off the edge with the ability to cause havoc in the his opponents backfield. Buck's elite first step and ability to win with speed or length make him a major X-factor as Lake Travis takes on CE King.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["977529"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-693c9593261ed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A veteran corner with a feisty mentality and excellent technique. Bauer thrives in man coverage, stays glued to receivers, and tackles with confidence. His physical game play combined with excellent ball skills will be crucial in Allen's showdown with Duncanville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->

As the Texas high school football playoffs storm into the semifinal round, elite defenses will take center stage. With explosive offenses on every field, it's the difference-makers on the defensive side who will determine who punches their ticket to Championship Weekend. From dominant trench warriors to shutdown defensive backs, these top flight defenders are primed to make a major impact under the brightest lights. Here are the defenders you need to watch as the stakes rise and the margins tighten.

Syracuse
Kordae Houston

Kordae Houston

TX
DL
HEIGHT 6'4"
WEIGHT 275
POS DL
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Kordae
Houston DL
Class
2026
Height
6'4"
Weight
275
HS
South Oak Cliff
|
TX
Top Flight Defenders to Watch in the Semifinals
A powerful, active force up front, Houston consistently collapses pockets and disrupts timing. His strength, agility, and motor...
Written by Marcus Henry
Syracuse
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Kordae Houston

Twitter
State: Texas
School: South Oak Cliff
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Clemson
Marcell Gipson

Marcell Gipson

TX
DB
HEIGHT 5'11"
WEIGHT 175
POS DB
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Marcell
Gipson DB
Class
2026
Height
5'11"
Weight
175
HS
South Oak Cliff
|
TX
Top Flight Defenders to Watch in the Semifinals
Elite feet and fluid hips make him a sticky, shutdown defender. Gipson closes space instantly and is a...
Written by Marcus Henry
Clemson
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Marcell Gipson

Instagram Twitter
State: Texas
School: South Oak Cliff
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Baylor
Jamarion Phillips

Jamarion Phillips

TX
LB
HEIGHT 6'1"
WEIGHT 220
POS LB
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Jamarion
Phillips LB
Class
2026
Height
6'1"
Weight
220
HS
South Oak Cliff
|
TX
Top Flight Defenders to Watch in the Semifinals
A true do-it-all linebacker, strong vs. the run, disciplined vs. the pass, and explosive as a blitzer. Phillips’...
Written by Marcus Henry
Baylor
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Jamarion Phillips

Twitter
State: Texas
School: South Oak Cliff
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Cody Smith

Cody Smith

HEIGHT 5'10"
WEIGHT 190
POS LB
CLASS 2028
View Player
​
Cody
Smith LB
Class
2028
Height
5'10"
Weight
190
HS
South Oak Cliff (Dallas, Tx)
|
TX
Top Flight Defenders to Watch in the Semifinals
A rising star with range, instincts, and striking power. Smith is a sure tackler who plays fast and...
Written by Marcus Henry
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Cody Smith

Twitter
State: Texas
School: South Oak Cliff (Dallas, Tx)
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

TCU
Carter Buck

Carter Buck

TX
EDGE
HEIGHT 6'6"
WEIGHT 245
POS EDGE
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Carter
Buck EDGE
Class
2026
Height
6'6"
Weight
245
HS
Lake Travis
|
TX
Top Flight Defenders to Watch in the Semifinals
Carter has a long, lean frame, he is fast, and disruptive off the edge with the ability to...
Written by Marcus Henry
TCU
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Carter Buck

Twitter
State: Texas
School: Lake Travis
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Lebron Bauer

Lebron Bauer

TX
DB
HEIGHT 5'11"
WEIGHT 170
POS DB
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Lebron
Bauer DB
Class
2026
Height
5'11"
Weight
170
HS
Allen
|
TX
Top Flight Defenders to Watch in the Semifinals
A veteran corner with a feisty mentality and excellent technique. Bauer thrives in man coverage, stays glued to...
Written by Marcus Henry
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Lebron Bauer

Twitter
State: Texas
School: Allen
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

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