hyren brought power and urgency to the defensive line group. In individual drills, he worked with strong leverage off the snap and showed active hands when engaging blockers, focusing on controlling reps early.

Guyer’s defense depends heavily on its front getting pressure and disrupting rhythm, and Haywood has become one of the most reliable players in that effort. His explosiveness off the snap frequently dictates how opponents block, opening opportunities for the rest of the defense.

As Guyer battles deeper into the postseason, the ability to win the line of scrimmage becomes more important each week. Haywood’s presence gives Guyer a disruptor capable of changing drives, and entire quarters, with timely plays.

Khyren is a relentless defensive lineman who combines power, quickness, and high energy on every snap. He uses his hands and leverage effectively to shed blockers, penetrate gaps, and create disruption in both the run and pass game. Khyren consistently pressures quarterbacks and closes running lanes, making it difficult for offenses to operate.

What’s better than having an elite edge rusher? Lining him up next to an elite defensive lineman. That is what the Lions have in their other star junior, Haywood. Khyren plays the position with great athleticism and change of direction. He thrives at striking with violent hands at the point of attack and possesses the agility and footwork to recover inside or out. Expect the run-stopping side of this bully-ball duo to give the Panthers a lot of interior trouble on Friday. Haywood has received offers from big-time programs such as Texas, USC, and Oregon.

Haywood is a cornerstone of what should be one of the top defensive lines in 6A. His explosive first step, violent hands, and ability to collapse the pocket make him a consistent disruptor. A run-stuffer with pass-rushing upside, Haywood will be a name opposing offenses game plan around.

Khyren is a disruptive defensive lineman known for his relentless motor and ability to collapse the pocket. He excels at reading offensive schemes and quickly reacting to the snap, using his strength and leverage to shed blockers and make tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Khyren’s physicality and tenacity make him a key factor in stopping the run and putting pressure on the quarterback. With continued growth, he’s on track to be a dominant force up front.

Haywood made a significant impact for Guyer during his standout sophomore season, establishing himself as a dominant force on defense. Stout at the point of attack, Haywood combines violent hands, exceptional leverage, and a relentless motor to disrupt opposing offenses. He flows to the football with impressive speed, consistently finding ways to make plays. His efforts earned him First Team All-District 5-6A honors after an incredible season that included 75 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. Haywood’s performance has already garnered offers from top programs such as Texas, Arkansas, SMU, Oregon, Texas A&M, Baylor, and Ole Miss, setting the stage for a bright future.

Transferred from Benilde-St. Margaret’s High School (St. Louis Park, Minnesota) to Guyer High School (Denton, Texas)

A product of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, around 15 minutes from where I grew up in Minneapolis, the state of Minnesota lost a good one in freshman superstar Khyren Haywood. As a homer for the state of Minnesota, I can’t help but be a little bummed about Haywood leaving the state for southern pastures, as his talent was going to find its way to P4 eyes no matter where he grew up, and Haywood was set to be one of the most popular Minnesota high school football prospects of all time. However, Guyer High School is a powerhouse in the Lonestar State and national recruiting scene, and Haywood shot his stock into the stratosphere after starting, and balling out, for Guyer as a freshman. The Minnesota-made defensive lineman was one of the more hyped middle school prospects the state has seen, earning a UA Next 8th Grade All-American nod, and was already living up the hype and then some while in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, playing freshman/JV ball as an 8th grader with Benilde-St. Margaret’s in the outer ring suburbs of Minneapolis. P4 programs took notice of both the early high school readiness, as well as impressive tape, as Arizona State became the young man’s first offer while he was still in Minnesota. However, things really blew up towards the end of his freshman campaign in Texas. Starting with Baylor in early November, Haywood added Houston, SMU, and North Texas, and after Haywood began to really assert himself in the offseason camp circuits down south, teams such as TCU (who offered after he visited a spring practice), Texas Tech, Ole Miss, and Arkansas offered in the spring contact window. This past week, UTSA, Oregon, Pitt, and Kansas State have added themselves to his growing list of suitors. What a stud we have on our hands!

The 6’2, 270 lber. was named 5-6A All-District as a freshman in 2023, and is a three-sport athlete who also competes in baseball and basketball and holds a 3.8 GPA. Physically, he’s well above his peers in terms of strength, body control, and athleticism, and was effective and aggressive against top-notch Texas competition. A DT that can play as a true NG or as a 3T, but does have reps as a DE outside of the tackle, one of the things we loved about Haywood in Minnesota was get-off, and he’s only gotten more explosive since moving down south. Haywood flies out of his stance and into the backfield impressively, and he also displays significant strength at the point of attack. He can move, shuck, and drive big, strong, upperclassmen iOL out of his way, out of the gap, and occasionally into the dirt. Keeps his hands active, and understands how to take advantage when an OL gets off-balance, but overall just uses his upper body strength to shed blocks whenever he pleases. Haywood demonstrates noticeable power when he locks out his arms after the initial punch and can hold iOL at bay before easily shocking & shedding with his powerful hands, arsenal of moves & counters, and raw strength at his disposal. Also can make tackles through contact and with OL draped all over him, and is an unmoving and physical presence in the middle of the LOS. Shows some twitch and lateral quickness, both of which stand out for his age and size, and he also is effective running stunts & twists around the LOS and has a nonstop motor between the whistles. Haywood shows Sunday ability and potential and is going to be one of the most physically dominant players in Texas these next few years. I hope he continues to rep Minnesota, as we will surely continue to rep him.