As the Texas High School football season progresses and excitement builds, we aim to highlight those players who truly deserve recognition.
Numerous media outlets focus solely on the top three-star-plus athletes. Our goal is to assist all athletes who merit the spotlight and have the potential to advance their academic and athletic careers at the next level, providing them with a platform to display their talents and abilities. Rally Preps serves as that platform.
We are actively searching for hidden gems, prospects who are not receiving adequate coverage or appreciation but deserve it due to their skills and talents. Our coverage extends beyond just the top athletes to include everyone in between, giving them an opportunity to pursue college football. Many of our subscribers and viewers include college coaches from various institutions, ranging from elite Division I schools to Division II and lower.
Below are a few defensive back recruits we hope to enhance their chances of being recruited to the next level, allowing them to continue their aspirations of playing college football while obtaining an education.
Garrett Stennett, CB, Weiss, 6-0 / 175
Garrett has several Division I offers from schools like Colorado State, North Texas, Texas State, and others. He is a ball-hawking cornerback who is twitchy and quick to break on the football, making plays seem routine. Stennett consistently creates turnovers, such as interceptions and pass breakups. He showcases elite speed and athleticism, making him a threat both in pass coverage and with the football in his hands. Stennett excels not only against the pass but also in the running game. He is a well-rounded defensive back, a solid open-field tackler who flies downhill to stop runs before they progress. His recruitment is heating up, with colleges like the Texas Longhorns taking notice of his talent and inviting him to a recent home game against San Jose State. As one of the few uncommitted top defensive back prospects, he could see immediate playing time at the next level and make an impact within his first two years in college.
2026 S/CB
— Garrett Stennett (@StennettGarret1) January 22, 2025
6’0 175 @WeissFootball pic.twitter.com/55DfV2fCB8
Jaylen Gordon, CB, Richland, 5-9 / 155
Jaylen is a threat on special teams as well as on the defensive side of the ball. With his elite athleticism, speed, and agility, he makes big-time plays look routine, whether on defense or special teams. He can create plays with the ball in his hands or make plays on the ball. His corner technique and footwork are second to none, featuring a smooth backpedal while keeping his eyes on the quarterback and sticking to the wide receiver’s hip. Jaylen can trail wideouts with the best of them. He can play pressed or float off wide receivers and has a knack for coming up with the football. He is a Division I talent with offers from Arizona State, Baylor, SMU, and UTEP.
Braylen Griffin, S, Lake Travis, 5-10 / 160
College coaches are drawn to recruits with a strong background, and Braylen fits that description, as his father, Michael Griffin, was an outstanding defensive back for the Texas Longhorns and had a career in the NFL. Braylen is a physical corner who can effectively jam receivers at the line of scrimmage, deliver significant hits, and stay with receivers step for step to make a play on the ball. He possesses solid technique in his backpedal, smoothly flipping his hips and effectively shutting down wide receivers.
Parker Stewart , CB , The Woodlands , 5-10 / 165
Elite athleticism paired with speed and agility, Parker is a defensive back who poses as a threat on special teams as well as on defense. College coaches appreciate this in recruits because many players start and contribute at the next level on special teams, and Stewart can do just that immediately for any college football program. He is a versatile player who can excel in all three phases of the game: special teams, defense, and offense as a wide receiver. Stewart can catch the football behind the line of scrimmage and has the speed and athleticism for fifty-yard-plus touchdown catches. Parker is solid as a defensive back, displaying proficient technique as a cornerback and consistently producing turnovers for his team.
Sammy Shepherd, CB, Skyline, 5-9 / 160
Sammy is a tough defensive back who can jar the ball loose from wide receivers with a big hit. He can play multiple positions, from nickel to safety, and even line up wide or in the box. Shepherd is a well-rounded and balanced defensive back who isn’t afraid of contact. He shows the ability to turn his head and make a play on the ball while trailing receivers, making quarterbacks pay. Although he is a bit smaller for a defensive back, he compensates for his height with physicality. He is a Division I defensive back being recruited to play safety at the next level, with offers from schools like Sacramento State and UTEP.
Ja’Darius Isom , S , Denison , 5-9 / 165
Flashes burst of speed and agility, showcasing an impressive ability to move quickly and change direction with ease. Can get in between the ball and receivers, effectively positioning himself to break up passes and disrupt the opposing team’s offensive plays. A bit undersized as a defensive back or linebacker prospect, which may raise some questions about his physicality at the next level. However, Isom can make a play on the ball, demonstrating excellent timing and awareness, and come up with plenty of pass break ups on defense or stop runs in the backfield, showcasing his versatility and skill set in various defensive situations. His ability to read the game and react swiftly makes him a valuable asset on the field.
Tre Burton Jr., CB, The Colony, 5-9 / 170
Tre is an exceptional magnet to the football, demonstrating an impressive ability to come up with interceptions at crucial moments during games. He possesses a remarkable skill set that allows him to read the quarterbacks’ eyes exceptionally well, which enables him to anticipate their next move and position himself accordingly. This keen awareness on the field allows him to effectively bait quarterbacks into making poor decisions, leading them to throw the ball in his direction, where he can capitalize on their mistakes. As a ballhawking safety, Tre is not only adept at intercepting passes but is also unafraid to deliver powerful hits, often referred to as “laying the wood,” on unsuspecting receivers. His reputation as a big-time hitter precedes him, as he consistently demonstrates a knack for creating turnovers, whether through interceptions or forced fumbles. With all these skills combined, a breakout season could very well be on the horizon for Burton, as he continues to develop and refine his game.
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