High School

Duncanville vs. DeSoto: 31 recruits to watch in Texas high school football showdown

5-stars Collin Simmons (Texas), Dakorien Moore (LSU) headline top prospects to track in national game of week

Cody Thorn

Update: The Duncanville vs. DeSoto game has been rescheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday due to heavy rain and lightning on Friday night.

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The Texas high school football game of the year takes place Friday when Duncanville faces DeSoto on the road in a nationally ranked district showdown between the top two teams in Texas.

No. 1 Duncanville (7-0) faces No. 2 DeSoto (7-0) at DeSoto High School as the undefeated District 11-6A, Region II powers go head-to-head.

The game will feature some of the nation's most prospect-loaded rosters. Duncanville is ranked No. 5 and DeSoto is No. 7 in the SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25 national rankings.

From today's 5-stars to tomorrow's, here are 31 prospects to watch in the highly anticipated showdown and the latest on their respective recruitments:

Keylan Abrams, outside linebacker, 2025

High school: DeSoto
Rating: 3-star — No. 18 OLB in nation; No. 63 overall in Texas (Rivals)
Recruitment: Committed to Purdue

The Purdue commit shares the team lead in sacks with 8 with Jason Douglas. Abrams also has 45 tackles and 9 TFL. He’s an edge rusher who had 10 1/2 sacks last year. Committed to Boilermakers the same day he got an offer — June 13. 

DJ Bailey, quarterback, 2024

High school: DeSoto
Rating: 3-star — No. 102 QB in nation; No. 280 overall in Texas (On3)
Recruitment: Committed to Sam Houston State

He’s completed 61% of his passes and has 1,530 yards with 18 touchdowns and zero interceptions in seven games. The Sam Houston State pledge has also run for 145 yards and one touchdown. 

Brandon Booker, linebacker, 2024

High school: DeSoto 
Rating: No. 43 LB in nation (Rivals); No. 117 overall in Texas (247)
Recruitment: Committed to SMU

He’s the top tackler for the Eagles with 71 stops in seven games. He’s added 11 TFL, 3 sacks and one forced fumble. He committed to SMU on Sept. 19.

Nehemiah Borner, safety, 2024

High school: Duncanville
Rating: Not yet rated
Recruitment: Uncommitted

He’s the top tackler for the Panthers with 38 tackles in six games with 7 TFL and 4 pass breakups. Texas Tech offered him in May.

Tyderick Brown, safety, 2025

High school: Duncanville
Rating: 3-star — No. 146 CB in nation; No. 191 overall in Texas (On3)
Recruitment: Uncommitted

Another secondary member that has put up good numbers for the Panthers this fall. He leads the team in interceptions (2) and pass breakups (5). He’s uncommitted and currently has offers from UAB, Arizona State and Illinois State.

Desean Bryant Jr., offensive tackle, 2025

High school: Duncanville
Rating: 3-star — No. 36 OT, No. 523 overall in nation; No. 88 in Texas (On3)
Recruitment: Uncommitted

The 6-foot-5, 250-pounder is a three-star recruit who is headed to Baylor. He’s blocked for an offense that has more than 2,500 yards.

Mario Buford, cornerback, 2024

High school: DeSoto
Rating: No. 23 safety in nation; No. 50 in Texas (Rivals)
Recruitment: Uncommitted

The three-star recruit pledged to Nebraska in June and is the No. 32-ranked cornerback in the country according to 247Sports.

Ka’Davion Dotson-Walker, safety, 2024

High school: Duncanville
Rating: 3-star 
Recruitment: Committed to SMU

The 5-foot-11 safety committed to SMU prior to the start of his final season. The three-star recruit had 27 offers pleading to the Mustangs in July. He has 33 tackles and four pass breakups.

Jason Douglas, defensive tackle, 2024

High school: DeSoto
Rating: Not yet rated
Recruitment: Uncommitted

He shares the team lead in sacks with Keylan Abrams with 8 in 7 games. Also had 41 tackles and 11 TFL. He’s uncommitted and has offers from Alcorn State, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Jackson State and Texas State.

Marvin Duffey, running back, 2024

High school: DeSoto
Rating: Not yet rated
Recruitment: Uncommitted

He has been the Eagles' top ball carrier with Deondrae Riden sidelined most of the year. Duffey has 84 carries for 774 — four 100-yards or more game — and 13 touchdowns. He has visited Lamar, North Texas and has been invited to Grambling State.

Caden Durham, running back, 2024

High school: Duncanville 
Rating: 4-star — No. 9 RB, No. 65 prospect in nation; No. 12 in Texas (Rivals)
Recruitment: Committed to LSU

In this showdown last year with DeSoto, he ran for 309 yards and five touchdowns. He has 576 yards and 12 touchdowns this year for the Panthers and his 8.47 yards per carry is the best on the team. The four-star recruit committed to LSU on Aug. 10.

Ethan ‘Boobie’ Feaster, wide receiver, 2027

High school: DeSoto
Rating: Not yet rated
Recruitment: Uncommitted

The ninth grader is 6-foot-1 target who is fourth on the team in catches with 15 for 292 yards and three scores. He holds an eye-popping 31 offers already with 7 high school games under his belt, though many came in eighth grade. He attended the Red River Showdown — holding offers from both Texas and Oklahoma, as well as Arkansas, Baylor and more.

Kevin Ford Jr., defensive end, 2026

High school: Duncanville
Rating: 5-star — No. 5 DL, No. 39 prospect in nation; No. 1 in Texas (247 Sports)
Recruitment: Uncommitted

He’s an uncommitted four-star recruit who currently holds 10 offers, adding Texas and Baylor since the season started. He has 22 tackles, 6 TFL, 6 hurries and one pass breakup. 

Javion Holiday, cornerback, 2025

High school: Duncanville
Rating: 4-star — No. 28 DB in nation; No. 54 prospect in Texas (Rivals)
Recruitment: Uncommitted

The uncommitted 6-foot-1 junior had 15 offers with Texas A&M, Miami (Florida) and Arkansas extending scholarship offers since August. All three of those in his top eight that he released on Oct. 19 — along with LSU, Texas, SMU, Oregon and Arizona State. He has 10 tackles, one interception and one forced fumble.

Alex January, defensive tackle, 2024

High school: Duncanville 
Rating: 4-star  — No. 19 DL, No. 215 overall in nation; No. 39 in Texas (On3)
Recruitment: Committed to Texas

He’s one of two defensive linemen for the Panthers that is headed to Austin to play for the Longhorns. The 6-foot-, 325-pound lineman is a there-star recruit that had 25 offers before picking Texas in July. His dad, Mike, played for Texas before playing for the Chicago Bears in 1987.

Kingstin McAdams, running back, 2027

High school: DeSoto
Rating: Not yet rated
Recruitment: Uncommitted

He’s one of a handful of running backs that have gotten time this fall. He has 24 carries for 129 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns in five games. The freshman picked up an offer from Texas Tech prior to playing his first high school game.

Makali McKellar, athlete, 2024

High school: DeSoto
Rating: Not yet rated
Recruitment: Uncommitted

The 5-foot-10, 160-pounder had 37 tackles playing in the secondary, four pass breakups and one interception. Holds offers from Texas A&M-Commerce and Ole Miss.

Ronnell McLain, offensive guard, 2024

High school: DeSoto
Rating: 3-star — No. 253 prospect in Texas (On3)
Recruitment: Committed to Houston

The Eagles have run for 1,977 yards and have passed for 1,576 yards in 7 games so far. The 6-foot-4, 310-pounder had 9 offers before committing to Houston on June 26. His nickname is Snacks.

Dakorien Moore, wide receiver, 2025

High school: Duncanville
Rating: 5-star — No. 2 WR, No. 4 overall prospect in nation; No. 1 prospect in Texas (On3)
Recruitment: Committed to LSU

The LSU pledge has been a big part of the success of the offense. The junior has 27 catches for 838 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’s averaging 31 yards per catch. He’s the top-ranked junior in Texas and No. 5 nationally. He’s visited the Texas Longhorns twice this season.

Tyren Polley, safety, 2025

High school: Duncanville
Rating: 4-star — No. 19 safety in nation; No. 47 prospect in Texas (Rivals)
Recruitment: Uncommitted

The uncommitted junior shares the team lead with two interceptions and is third on the team with three pass breakups. He has 12 offers with 2 — Houston and Kansas — coming this month. He attended Arkansas and Baylor’s spring games. 

TJ Pride, wide receiver, 2024

High school: DeSoto
Rating: Not yet rated
Recruitment: Uncommitted

In his first year with the Eagles, he has 23 catches — shared with the team lead — while adding five touchdowns and 444 yards. He transferred in from Midlothian Heritage, where he had 730 yards receiving and nine scores last year. He holds an offer from Grambling State. 

Sael Reyes, safety, 2025

High school: DeSoto
Rating: 4-star — No. 15 safety, No. 136 prospect in nation; No. 24 overall prospect in Texas (Rivals)
Recruitment: Uncommitted

He currently holds 25 college offers and is uncommitted. Schools from Big 12, SEC, Pac-13, MAC, Big Ten, ACC and FCS schools have all offered him. In 7 games he has 36 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble in his first year at the school. He previously played at East St. Louis (Ill.). His brother, Antonio Johnson, plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Deondrae Riden, running back, 2025

High school: DeSoto
Rating: 4-star — No. 5 RB, No. 67 overall in nation; No. 12 in Texas (Rivals)
Recruitment: Uncommitted 

Called ‘Tiger’ by his teammates, he’s played in only three games this season due to elbow injuries. He has 194 yards and four scores. He got hurt in the season opener against Allen and then got hurt on Oct. 6 against Mansfield Legacy. The four-star recruit hasn’t played since then. His top 10 feature Baylor, Texas, Texas Tech, Ole Miss, SMU, USC, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon and Texas A&M.

Keelon Russell, quarterback, 2025

High school: Duncanville 
Rating: 4-star — No. 11 QB, No. 133 prospect in nation; No. 24 overall in Texas (On3)
Recruitment: Committed to SMU

Russell has thrown for 1,703 yards for the Panthers, throwing for 21 touchdowns with only two picks. He has a completion percentage of 76%. He also has run for 156 yards and one touchdown. He committed to SMU on Sept. 21.

Colin Simmons, defensive end, 2024

High school: Duncanville 
Rating: 5-star — No. 2 edge, No. 5 prospect in nation; No. 1 in Texas (Rivals).
Recruitment: Committed to Texas

The Texas recruit hasn’t played a ton of second halves with 24 tackles, 8 TFL, 14 hurries, 2 1/2 sacks and 2 pass breakups. He didn’t play last week. He’s the No. 22-ranked player in the Class of 2024 and No. 1 in Texas on 247Sports Composite score. He broke the school record for sacks last year with 22 1/2. He was the 6A Defensive Player of the Year in 2022.

Daylon Singleton, wide receiver, 2025

High school: DeSoto 
Rating: 4-star — No. 31 WR, No. 181 in nation; No. 33 overall in Texas (Rivals).
Recruitment: Committed to SMU

The SMU pledge leads the Eagles in touchdowns with 7 through 7 games. He shares the team leads with 23 catches and had 469 yards, which is also a team-high. Held 18 offers before picking the Mustangs in September.

Ayson Theus, athlete, 2026

High school: Duncanville
Rating: Not rated yet
Recruitment: Uncommitted (Offers from Arizona State, Nebraska)

He’s second on the team in catches with 18, with 253 yards (third on the team) and has one touchdown. The 5-foot-9 sophomore has offers from Arizona State and Nebraska but is uncommitted.

Jaden Trawick, athlete, 2024

High school: DeSoto
Rating: Not rated yet
Recruitment: Uncommitted

He’s third on the team in rushing yards with 231 yards and has scored twice. Holds offers from Austin Peay and Lamar.

Zachery Turner, tight end, 2026

High school: Duncanville
Rating: Not yet rated
Recruitment: Uncommitted (Baylor, Arizona State, Missouri, Houston, others have offered)

The 6-foot-3 weapon is third on the team in catches with 8 for 164 yards and his six touchdowns are sixth on the team. He is uncommitted and holds nine offers, picking up in-season ones from Houston and Texas. Missouri was his first back in May of 2022.

Byron Washington, offensive guard, 2025

High school: DeSoto 
Rating: 3-star (On3)
Recruitment: Uncommitted (Oregon, TCU, Texas, others pursuing)

He’s a 6-foot-7, 350-pound guard for the Eagles. He holds five offers: Oregon, TCU, Texas, Arizona State and Grambling State. He attended the Texas spring game and the Texas vs. Oklahoma game. He’s helped the offense nearly 2,000 yards rushing in seven games.

Aundre Wisner, cornerback, 2024

High school: DeSoto
Rating: 3-star (Rivals)
Recruitment: Uncommitted

The 5-foot-10, 170-pounder is third on the team with 49 tackles, 11 TFL and 2 sacks. He holds an offer from East Carolina.

-- Cody Thorn | @sblivetx

Feature file photo by Robbie Rakestraw.

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Cody Thorn
CODY THORN

Cody Thorn is a veteran journalist who covers high school sports across the state of Texas and Missouri. He is based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and has covered sports and news since 1999.

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