Fall Preview: The Desoto Eagles Look to Fly High in 2026

<p>The Desoto Eagles don't need an introduction to the Texas football scene, they have been to the mountain top plenty of times, bringing home state championships in three of the last four seasons. They are a program who shoots for the stars every year and the Eagles have the hardware in the trophy case to back it up. The Eagles return a squad who has the talent to bring home another state title. The program will compete in a new division in 5A DI, but the mission will remain the same, finish the season in Arlington, holding up another trophy. We spotlight a host of talented playmakers that will make the Eagles hard to beat in 2026. Here is a look at their 2026 schedule and the impact players to watch this fall.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Baker is an elite runner who has great vision, he has the wiggle in the open field to make defenders miss and he has the breakaway speed to make a house call from any down or distance. He runs with power between the tackles, his low center of gravity at impact allows him to break tackles and turn short runs into big plays. The Texas Tech commit had a historic run in the playoffs, rushing for 1,557 yards and 20 touchdowns in six playoff games. Baker returns for his senior season, ready to but fear into opposing defenses.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/SaRodBaker12/status/2007521718626288121?s=20 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Summers has a strong arm, he has a quick release that enables him to make quick reads to get the ball out to his targets on time. He has clean mechanics and Summers has the ability to make throws on the run outside the pockets. Summers took meaningful snaps last season, showing that he can lead the Eagles offense. Keep an eye on him as he competes to be the starter heading into the fall season.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Thibodeaux has an explosive first step that enables him to gain an advantage on his opponents early at engagement. His hand placement combined with the ability to deliver a stiff punch at impact allows him to win his matchups in the trenches. He plays with a relentless motor and he finishes with violence. Khing has position versatility, showing the skill set to line up on the interior at defensive tackle and he can make an impact off the edge. Thibodeaux is a game changer in the trenches and he will be a disruptive force for Eagles defensively this fall as they look to make another run to a state title.</p>   <p></p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Redmond plays with elite athleticism, he has nimble feet, he plays power and his ability to push the pocket from multiple positions along the line allows him to be a game changer in the trenches. At 6-foot-4 300 lbs, Redmond has a quick first step, he plays with great leverage and he has violent hands that allows him to win his matchups consistently. The Texas Tech commit helped Desoto capture a 6A Division II title in 2025 and he will again be a force in the trenches for the Eagles as they prepare to make another run at a state title in 5A Division I.</p>   <p></p>     <p class="text-gray-700">McGee is one of the most versatile players in the 2027 class in the state of Texas and he can make big plays on both sides of the football. He is a shut down cornerback, who has great length combined with excellent footwork. He has the hip fluidity to turn, run and stay in phase with receivers downfield. McGee transitions into his backpedal smoothly and his recovery speed enables him to blanket receivers in coverage.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">McGee makes plays on the offensive side as a big play receiving target. He is an explosive playmaker who has the speed to stretch the field and he can turn a short catch into a house call for six. McGee brings game changing playmaking ability no matter where he lines up and the Penn State commit will be key cog in the Eagles lineup this fall.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Polk has a stiff punch at engagement, he has the strength to get control of defenders early and he finishes blocks through the whistle. He has an extended reach that allows him to keep defenders at arms length. Polk has nimble feet combined with excellent lateral quickness and he has the athleticism to make blocks at the second level. He is a road grader in the run game and he helped lead the Desoto offense to a 6A Division II state title in 2025. He has offers from Alabama A&M, Alcorn State and Northeastern State. Polk is one of the key returners for a Desoto squad looking to head back to state in 2026.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/c8ntrell_2027/status/2017744349593735337?s=20 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">McCoy Jr. has strong hands, he runs crisp routes and his ability to get open allows him to be a reliable target. He is explosive off the ball and he has elite quickness in space that enables him to win immediately off of the line of scrimmage. McCoy Jr. has the skill set to make big plays with the football in his hands and he will be a bright spot offensively for the Eagles this fall. He picked up offers from, Missouri State, Houston, Toledo, Purdue, Illinois and Arizona this offseason.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KendrickMcCoyJr/status/1976623071772672399?s=20 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Minor has an explosive first step, he has excellent lateral quickness and he finishes plays through the whistle. He is stout at the point of attack, he uses his hands well at the point of attack to get himself free from blockers and this enables him to be a disruptive force in the trenches. Minor was apart of the Eagles defensive front that helped them capture a 6A Division II title in 2025 and he will be a key cog in their attack in 2026 as well.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/AadenGooch/status/1988793860814975182?s=20 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">When Billings sees the football he hunts it down. When you turn on the tape, he flashes as a sure tackler who plays fast, he has disciplined eyes that allow him to read plays quickly and he doesn't over run plays. Billings is a hybrid defender who has position flexibility, lining up as an in the box nickel, an outside linebacker and he has the skill set to cover up receivers in the passing game. Whether he's blitzing the quarterback for a loss, chasing down running backs or shutting down passing lanes, Billings plays like his hair is on fire. He is a plug and play defender who shows in the stat sheet and on film as a playmaker.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Qu5ntin2027/status/1990155989266670027 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Adams has good feet, he moves well in space and his ability to show patience enables him to read and diagnose plays quickly. He plays fast with ability to close on ball carriers under control with violence. Adams has fluid hips combined with nimble feet that put him in position to make plays defending the pass. He has the skill set that allows him to attack offenses from multiple angles. Adams is versatile defender who can line up a nickel or safety and cover wideouts or running backs. He will be an impact player on a stacked front seven that the Eagles bring back with intentions of capturing another state title in 2026.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/LandanAdams_28/status/2010398305482915868?s=20 </div></figure>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/desoto-schedule-1.jpg?w=678" alt="" class="wp-image-2257638" /></figure>

The Desoto Eagles don't need an introduction to the Texas football scene, they have been to the mountain top plenty of times, bringing home state championships in three of the last four seasons. They are a program who shoots for the stars every year and the Eagles have the hardware in the trophy case to back it up. The Eagles return a squad who has the talent to bring home another state title. The program will compete in a new division in 5A DI, but the mission will remain the same, finish the season in Arlington, holding up another trophy. We spotlight a host of talented playmakers that will make the Eagles hard to beat in 2026. Here is a look at their 2026 schedule and the impact players to watch this fall.