Houston’s football Stars to watch in 2026
Houston’s top football talent brings elite speed, production, and recruiting pedigree into the 2026 season.
Black News 
The 2026 high school football season is filled with elite talent across the Houston area, from nationally ranked recruits and future college stars to emerging playmakers still waiting for their opportunity.
Among this year’s top players are athletes who have already made their mark at the state and national levels. Some are committed to Power Four programs, while others remain uncommitted and have the chance to make their cases throughout the season.
From dominant defensive linemen and record-setting running backs to explosive receivers and elite track athletes, these 10 players are among the Houston area’s names to watch in 2026.
Xavier Muhammad — Shadow Creek High School
At 6-foot-5 and 280 pounds, Xavier Muhammad brings an imposing combination of size and athleticism to Shadow Creek’s defensive front. The four-star Class of 2027 defensive end, committed to Michigan, enters the season aiming to make an even bigger impact after an interrupted junior campaign.
As a sophomore, Muhammad recorded 49 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks, three pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries. Severe food poisoning forced him to miss the final half of his junior season, yet he still produced 22 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks, eight quarterback hurries, one forced fumble, and two pass breakups.
Muhammad was also named to the Touchdown Club of Houston’s 2026 preseason team.
Ezekiel Ayangbile — Langham Creek High School
Ezekiel Ayangbile has already established himself as one of the Houston area’s most disruptive interior defenders for the class of 2027. The 6-foot-3, 280-pound four-star defensive tackle recorded 60 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hurries, one fumble recovery, and an eye-catching five blocked punts as a junior.
Committed to the University of Miami, Ayangbile is the son of former NFL offensive lineman Duane Brown, who played at Virginia Tech and was selected by the Houston Texans in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
Ayangbile also competes in track and field, throwing the shot put and discus, and was named to the Touchdown Club of Houston preseason team.
Prince Washington — Lamar High School
Prince Washington brings elite speed and versatility to Lamar’s secondary.
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Class of 2027 four-star defensive back is a dual-sport athlete who also competes in track. Washington has recorded a 4.44-second laser-timed 40-yard dash and a top speed of 22.2 mph, according to Catapult.
Committed to Colorado, Washington was named to the Touchdown Club of Houston preseason team and enters his senior season as one of the area’s defensive backs to watch.
Davon Smith — Westfield High School
Davon Smith has already proven he can be the centerpiece of a defense.
The 5-foot-10, 220-pound Class of 2027 four-star linebacker recorded 121 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, three interceptions, two sacks, and 10 quarterback hurries as a junior, earning District 14-6A Defensive MVP honors.
Committed to Arizona, Smith was also named to the Touchdown Club of Houston preseason team.
Peter Dorsey — Wheatley High School
Peter Dorsey made his presence felt in the backfield last season.
The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Class of 2027 defensive end recorded 24 sacks as a junior, finishing second in the district in sack totals.
A two-sport athlete who also plays basketball, Dorsey remains uncommitted and has an opportunity to elevate his recruiting stock with another disruptive season at Wheatley.
Dillon Mitchell — C.E. King High School
Few players in the Houston area can match Dillon Mitchell’s combination of football production and world-class speed.
The 5-foot-8, 167-pound Class of 2028 four-star receiver and kick returner produced 1,779 all-purpose yards and 17 touchdowns as a sophomore while helping C.E. King reach the Class 6A Division II state championship game.
His track accomplishments, however, have made him a national name. Mitchell ran a wind-aided 9.88 seconds in the 100 meters at the Texas A&M Bluebonnet Invitational, then won the Class 6A state championship in 9.92 seconds with a +4.0 m/s wind. At the World Athletics U20 Championships, he helped the United States win gold in the 4×100-meter relay while setting an Under-20 world record of 38.16 seconds.
With offers from Texas, TCU, Baylor, Stanford, USC, Alabama, LSU, and others, Mitchell enters his junior season as one of the nation’s most intriguing athletes.
Landen Williams-Callis — Randle High School
Landen Williams-Callis enters 2026 with a chance to etch his name into Houston football history.
The 5-foot-8, 190-pound Class of 2027 five-star running back was one of three finalists for the 2025 Gatorade National Player of the Year award following a spectacular junior season. He rushed 324 times for 3,502 yards and 59 touchdowns, added 266 receiving yards and another touchdown, returned a kickoff for a score, and finished with 4,035 all-purpose yards.
Williams-Callis is just three touchdowns away from tying his older cousin, Jacquizz Rodgers, for the most career touchdowns in Houston high school football history.
After receiving more than 70 offers, Williams-Callis committed to Texas and was named to the Touchdown Club of Houston’s 2026 preseason team.
Alvin Mosley — Crawford High School
Alvin Mosley is a two-sport standout capable of impacting a game in multiple ways.
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Class of 2027 four-star receiver accounted for 1,720 all-purpose yards as a junior, including 1,091 receiving yards and 23 receiving touchdowns. He also rushed for 155 yards and six touchdowns, threw a 67-yard touchdown pass, and added 376 punt-return yards.
His athletic ability carried over into basketball season, where Mosley won another district MVP award after averaging 13.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game while helping Crawford reach the Class 4A Division I state championship game.
The University of Mississippi commit was also named to the Touchdown Club of Houston preseason team.
Artavion Davis — Milby High School
Artavion Davis enters his senior season following one of the most productive receiving campaigns in the Houston area.
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Class of 2027 receiver caught 94 passes for 1,602 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior. According to MaxPreps, Davis led Texas in regular-season receiving yards.
He came within 67 yards of the Houston-area single-game receiving record in last season’s opener, finishing with 352 receiving yards.
Davis remains uncommitted but has received offers from programs including Prairie View A&M, Central Missouri, and Grambling State.
Jordan Simmons — Yates High School
Jordan Simmons may be one of the most versatile playmakers in Houston.
The 5-foot-7, 165-pound Class of 2027 receiver and running back averaged 12.7 yards per carry, 26.1 yards per catch, and 37.5 yards per punt return last season. He finished with 1,691 all-purpose yards, averaging 20.8 yards on every touch.
A track sprinter, Simmons brings the kind of speed that can change a game from anywhere on the field.
Like Dorsey, Simmons remains uncommitted, giving the Yates standout plenty of motivation heading into the 2026 season.
