Bryce Braden, Stratford, 6-foot-3, 225-pounds, QB-LB, Sr.
There aren’t many players that have the size, speed and toughness that Braden possess. The four-year starter and captain of the tradition-rich Elks has only gotten better each and every year especially his junior season where he threw for 1,968 yards, ran for 1,398 yards combining for 48 touchdowns. Defensively was equally impressive, as Braden racked up a team-best 184 tackles with 11 sacks. For his career, Braden is closing in on 500 tackles sitting at 471.
Armando Lujan, Sunray, 6-foot, 180-pounds, QB, Sr.
The Texas Panhandle’s most prolific passer is chasing gold balls and state records this year. Lujan and the Bobcats have massive expectations; however, Lujan can set some of his own personal goals as he chases Booker’s Hunter Lile (14,408) for the most career passing yards by a UIL quarterback. Lujan is in reach with 11,137 yards entering his senior year. The state championship is definitely more important to Lujan, who accounted for a historic 82 offensive touchdowns last year.
Wyatt Davis, Canadian, 5-foot-11, 190-pounds, TE-LB, Sr.
Davis has established himself as one of the top linebackers not only in the Texas Panhandle but the entire state of Texas. Playing with another level of intensity, Davis has a nose for the football and can get sideline to sideline in a hurry to make the opponents life miserable. Last year, Davis was unbelievable racking up an astounding 173 tackles, 22 of those solo with four sacks despite fighting injuries.
Reid Macon, West Plains, 6-foot, 170-pounds, QB, Jr.
Macon has established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the Texas Panhandle let alone the state. Entering his third year as the signal caller, Macon has full control of the offense and has taken the reigns as the team’s captain. Last season, Macon had a stellar season throwing for 3,306 yards with 35 touchdowns.
TJ Tillman, Tascosa, 6-0, 170-pounds, WR-DB, Sr.
The Texas Panhandle’s most prolific Division I prospect with close to 10 offers is ready to help the Rebels rebound from a sub-par season in 2024. Tillman is dynamic with the ball in his hands on offense or special teams and is a menace in the secondary. Last season, in a very run-heavy offense, Tillman totaled 313 receiving yards with four touchdowns and hawked three interceptions on the defensive side.
Kyler Read, Dalhart, 6-foot-2, 220-pounds, QB-LB, Sr.
The son of Dalhart head coach Joey Read has been the heart and soul of the Golden Wolves bringing a winning tenacity with him every day to the weight room, practice field or game day. Entering his third year as a starter, Read had a tremendous junior season throwing for 2,085 yards, rushing for 1,278 yards while combining for 40 TDs.
Brylyn Lopez, Hereford, 5-foot-9, 175-pounds, RB, Sr.
Lopez really came on separating himself as the go-to back for the Whitefaces last year. Helping toward a turnaround season, Lopez proved game by game he could be counted on running with a physical, downhill style that accounted for 1,504 yards on 248 carries with 13 touchdowns.
Nathan Martens, Muleshoe, 6-foot-2, 180-pounds, QB, Sr.
Each year Martens has continued to get better and better proving to be one of the top passers in the Amarillo-area as well as a top leader. Martens really came into his own last year leading the Mules to the second round of the playoffs after throwing for 2,331 yards with 21 touchdowns.
Broxton Robinson, Panhandle, 6-foot-2, 190-pounds, QB-LB, Jr.
Robinson not only caught eyes as a newcomer but was a lot of choices for MVP after the sophomore sensation took Panhandle by storm on both sides of the ball last year. On the offensive side, Robinson stepped right in at quarterback accounting for 3,910 yards while making 109 tackles on defense.
Julio Valdez, Stratford, 6-foot-2, 190-pound, WR-LB, Sr.
Valdez became a huge compliment to Bryce Braden on offense with his size and great hands with the ability to break tackles and make defenders miss. Valdez ended his fantastic junior year snagging 47 catches for 1,065 yards with 11 touchdowns. Defensively, he was also another big compliment to Braden making 129 tackles to go with seven sacks.
Dawson Bennett, Sunray, 5-foot-8, 155-pounds, WR-DB, Sr.
Bennett plays much bigger than his 5-foot-8 frame and is a dangerous asset for Sunray on both sides of the ball. Bennett was a go-to target for Lujan snagging 63 catches for 996 yards with 14 touchdowns. In the secondary, Bennett was a ball hawk grabbing seven interceptions, two of those for touchdowns, adding 31 tackles.
Briggs Satterfield, Gruver, 6-foot-1, 165-pounds, QB, Jr.
Satterfield came on the scene in a hurry with a fantastic sophomore season for the Greyhounds. The dual-threat QB got better by the week throwing for 2,281 yards with 26 touchdowns and then used his feet to stack up 1,033 rushing yards with 14 TDs.
Jaxon Fetsch, Bushland, 5-foot-10, 185-pound, WR-LB, Sr.
Fetsch will have a more significant role in the Falcons high powered offense at receiver, however, he’s made his name on the defensive side of the ball. Fetsch was all over the field last season for Bushland making 146 tackles, 24 of those for a loss with eight sacks.
Travon Lewis, Wellington, 5-foot-8, 160-pounds, RB, Sr.
Lewis carries that long line of great backs to come out of Wellington. Helping the Skyrockets to another deep playoff run last season, Lewis came into his own leading Wellington with 1,278 yards rushing on 172 totes with 14 touchdowns.
Jacob Burris, Canyon, 5-11, 176-pound, WR-LB, Sr.
Burris emerged on the scene for the Eagles thanks to a big junior season on both sides of the ball. At receiver, Burris snagged 25 catches for 500 yards with six touchdowns. Defensively, he was equally impactful making 63 tackles with a pair of fumble recoveries.
Darien Lewis, Palo Duro, 6-1, 200 pounds, ATH, Jr.
Lewis exploded onto the scene as a sophomore with a prolific year for the Dons in 2023. The extremely versatile athlete and Division I prospect can be utilized all over the field for head coach Eric Mims. Last year, playing quarterback Lewis threw and ran for over 1,000 yards. Expect to see Lewis in multiple positions this season and a big use in the secondary.
Oliver Parsons, Amarillo High, 5-foot-11, 175-pounds, WR, Jr.
Parsons was a sophomore sensation showing he had some serious wheels and was a true outside weapon or head coach Chad Dunnam by snagging 17 catches for 486 yards and six touchdowns.
Breken Melton, Randall, 6-foot-2, 215-pounds, TE-DL, Sr.
Melton is catching attention from college scouts with his notable frame and athletic ability. The 6-foot-2 senior will play a pivotal role on both sides of the ball for Randall in 2024 after coming off a year where he hauled in four touchdown receptions while making 27 tackles on defense.
Tell Bryant, Hereford, 6-foot-1, 210-pounds, TE-LB, Sr.
Bryant is one of the most athletic tight ends on the wide out and a player coach Adam Naron loves having on his team. Bryant is a mismatch nightmare with his size and ability to stretch the field. In 2023, Bryant came into his own catching 40 passes for 573 yards and six touchdowns.
Johnny Marquez, Dumas, 5-foot-10, 170-pounds, RB-WR-DB, Sr.
Marquez shined for the Demons all over the field last season. Defensively, Marquez was in on 103 tackles, 12 for a loss, forcing two fumbles. On the offensive side, Marquez showed his versatility with 405 yards receiving to go with five Tds.
Bryce Lynn, Pampa, 5-foot-11, 160-pounds, WR, Sr.
Though it wasn’t the best year for the Harvesters, Lynn did his part and then some by becoming a premiere wide receiver at the Texas Panhandle. Lynn is getting looks at the college level and deservingly so after 637 yards receiving with six touchdowns last year.
Dylan Ray, Randall, 5-10, 170-pounds, RB, Sr.
Ray became a focal point for a Raiders offense looking for an identity early last season compiling a team-best 1,214 yards with 16 touchdowns. Ray is a tough, physical runner that will have high expectations heading into his senior year.
Holt Humphry, Bushland, 6-foot-1, 250-pounds OL-DL, Sr.
The veteran has made a name for himself as one of the top offensive linemen in the Texas Panhandle. Playing at left tackle last year, Humphry started all 13 games for the Falcons grading out at 97 percent with 27 pancake blocks.
Drake Rabe, Childress, 6-foot, 175-pounds, QB, Sr.
Rabe continues to improve each year and is looking to make it count as a senior. Rabe doesn’t get the praise of a lot of quarterbacks across the Texas Panhandle; however, he quietly threw for 2,206 yards 18 touchdowns a year ago.
Mason Sims, Clarendon, 6-foot-3, 195-pounds, RB-LB, Sr.
Sims was a name that emerged in a hurry for first-year head coach Aaron Wampler last season and a big reason why the Broncos made a run to the state quarterfinals. With the loss of Lyric Smith to graduation, Sims will be asked even more of this year on both sides of the ball. Last year, Sims cracked 1,000-yards rushing with 1,092 yards and 10 touchdowns. Sims added 85 tackles on defense.
Barrett Meadows, Wheeler, 6-foot-2, 275-pounds, OL, Sr.
Meadows has been a staple and the glue up front for the Mustangs. The first-team All-District selection begins his fourth straight year starting at center and has become a mentor for the younger players.
JP Carbajal, Spearman, 5-foot-7, 165-pounds, Sr.
Carbajal carries himself low to the ground and is a load to bring down for any defense. The punishing fullback is the Lynx primary weapon coming off a year where he chewed up 1,594 yards with 20 touchdowns.
Jonathan Armstrong, Farwell, 6-foot, 185-pounds, QB, Sr.
Armstrong is another talented QB in a very heavy class of signal callers. The Steers leader threw for 1,806 yards in 2023 with 18 Td tosses while posting 886 yards on the ground with another 14 scores.
Brody Stone, West Texas High, 6-foot-4, 185-pounds, DB, WR-DB, Sr.
Stone was a menace in the secondary making the quarterbacks life terrible any time he had the chance. Stone not only had 20 tackles last season but was a hawk in the secondary with seven interceptions.
Philip Cook, Shamrock, 5-foot-10, 175-pounds, QB, Sr.
Most folks don’t know the name Philip Cook but you should. Why he might get overshadowed in Shamrock, Cook put together a solid junior season for the Irish under head coach Nate Skelton throwing for 2,779 yards with 29 touchdowns.