Top 20 Defensive Players to Watch in West Texas in 2026

Riley Oines, San Angelo Central, Sr.

The 6-2, 278-pound Oines is attracting college attention, including an offer from Division I Drake. He has been on Central’s roster since his freshman year, an impressive accomplishment at the Class 6A level. After earning second-team all-district honors as a sophomore, he was an honorable-mention selection last season as a junior when he recorded 51 tackles and 6.5 sacks.

Connor Williams, San Angelo Lake View, Sr.

The 6-1, 225-pound Williams was the Co-Defensive Lineman of the Year in his district last season. He totaled 70 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, three sacks and a forced fumble. As Williams heads into his third year with the Chiefs, he’ll be counted on to anchor them up front.

Kaden McFarden, Wall, Jr.

The 6-1, 190-pound McFarden was one of our area’s breakout players on defense last year as a sophomore. He had 74 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, four sacks and 32 QB hurries to help Wall win its first state title. He’s now back as the undisputed leader of their defensive front.

Nolan Martinez, Ozona, Sr.

The 5-10, 180-pound Martinez doesn’t have overwhelming size, but he blew up a lot of players last year as an edge rusher. He had 69 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, eight sacks, 19 QB pressures, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup. 

Hayden Simpson, Grape Creek, Sr.

The 5-11, 170-pound Simpson was named the Preseason Defensive MVP in District 3-3A Division by Texas Football. He made a serious impact last year with 54 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, seven sacks, 16 QB hurries and two forced fumbles.

Layne Ward, Richland Springs, Sr.

The 5-10, 165-pound Ward was a first-team all-state spread rusher last year. His 4.6 speed helped him record 65 tackles, 13 sacks, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two safeties. On offense, he added 11 catches for 242 yards and six TDs.

Justice Immel, Robert Lee, Jr.

The 6-2, 210-pound Immel was a first-team all-district defensive end as a sophomore. He made an impressive contribution with 85 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, four sacks and three fumble recoveries, including one for a TD. He’ll also help anchor the Steers’ offensive line this fall.

Linebackers

Johnny Roque, Brady, Sr.

The 6-foot, 190-pound Roque is the leading returning tackler in the Concho Valley after recording 134 stops last year in 11 games, including 71 solos and 27 tackles for loss. He also had four sacks and two interceptions, both of which were returned for touchdowns. On offense, Roque was also a second-team all-district running back who could see an increased role on that side of the ball this fall.

Slayton Hallmark, Wall, Sr.

The 6-foot, 160-pound Hallmark was chosen as the Preseason Defensive MVP in District 3-3A Division I by Texas Football. The inside linebacker returns after helping the Hawks win their first state title while compiling 96 tackles, including 71 solos, 13 tackles for loss, 16 QB hurries and three sacks.

Armani Coronado, Sonora, Jr.

The 5-10, 175-pound Coronado burst onto the scene last year as a sophomore and led the Broncos with a team-high 111 tackles. He had three INTs, two pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He has 4.5 speed, which also makes him a dangerous running back.

Jason Everett, San Saba, Sr.

The 5-10, 185-pound Everett was a first-team all-district player on both sides of the ball last year. As a linebacker, he had 95 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, three sacks and seven QB hurries. On offense, he had 149 carries for 1,075 yards and 12 TDs. This is one of the best all-around players in our area.

Branson Lacy, Water Valley, Sr.

The 6-2, 180-pound Lacy has 4.5 speed and is known as one of our area’s best offensive players. As a running back, he racked up over 2,000 yards last year (1,531 rushing and 558 receiving). His offensive impact is so significant that it’s easy to overlook how good he is defensively. Last season, Lacy had 115 tackles, five tackles for loss, four sacks, one INT, three fumble recoveries and one defensive TD.

Koda Bierschwale, Junction, Sr.

The 5-10, 165-pound Bierschwale had 4.6 speed and was a first-team all-district player on offense and defense last year. As an outside linebacker, he had 90 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and four INTs. That followed a 91-tackle sophomore season. He’s projected to be the Eagles’ defensive leader this season and should see a bigger role on offense after totaling 723 combined rushing and receiving yards last year.

Defensive Backs

Cohen Ethridge, Menard, Sr.

The 5-11, 160-pound Ethridge was one of the best players in our area last year on offense, defense and special teams. While leading Richland Springs to the 1A Division II state final, he had a team-high 106 tackles, along with two sacks, two INTs, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one safety and one defensive TD. On offense, he rushed for 1,136 yards, had 266 receiving yards and threw for 708 yards. He also added 10 kick returns for scores. Now Ethridge is taking his talent to Menard for his senior year, giving the Yellowjackets a big boost as they look to make a playoff run.

Casen Roberts, Junction, Sr.

The 6-foot, 160-pound Roberts was a first-team all-district defensive back and wide receiver last year. On defense, he had 79 tackles and intercepted six passes. He was also a big-play receiver with 20 catches for 522 yards and eight TDs, along with a rushing TD. He’ll be the team’s main threat again this fall when the ball is in the air.

Hunter Squiers, Menard, Sr.

The 5-10, 160-pound Squiers was one of the best ballhawks in our area last season with six INTs and 11 pass breakups. He also had 49 tackles, a fumble recovery and scored two defensive TDs. Squiers and Cohen Ethridge form a scary 1-2 punch in the Menard secondary.

Leo Blanco, Ozona, Sr.

The 6-4, 195-pound Blanco has 4.6 speed as a first-team all-district safety. Last year, he recorded 63 tackles, two tackles for loss, three QB pressures, eight pass breakups, four INTs and a defensive TD. He also had two TD catches on offense.

Kaleb Ramon, Ozona, Jr.

The 5-10, 190-pound Ramon had a strong sophomore campaign with 84 tackles, three pass breakups and an INT. He was first-team all-district as a safety and a second-teamer at wide receiver. With his 4.6 speed, he’s expected to step up his game and become a leader for the Lions’ defense this season.

Honorable Mention

Tucker Beaty, San Angelo Central, Sr.

The 6-4, 220-pound Beaty was a second-team All-District 2-6A linebacker last year. He could emerge as one of the team’s top tacklers this season, though he’s also projected to see time at tight end, where he earned a college offer from UT Permian Basin. 

Kaylub Roberts, San Saba, Sr.

The 5-9, 173-pound Roberts was a first-team all-district defensive lineman last year who consistently made his presence felt. He had 61 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, four sacks, three QB hurries and a fumble recovery. 

Tyler Proffitt, Eldorado, Sr.

The 6-1, 190-pound Proffitt made an impact on the Eagles’ defensive line last year with 71 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, an INT and a defensive TD. He’s expected to step into a role as Eldorado’s defensive leader this season.

Hunter Dale, Junction, Sr.

The 6-1, 160-pound Dale was one of the Concho Valley’s leaders in INTs last year after picking off five passes, one of which was returned for a TD. With his 4.6 speed, he’ll again be a dangerous player QBs have to keep an eye on. 

Wesley Compton, Menard, Jr.

The 6-1, 180-pound Compton had a promising sophomore year as a spread rusher with 72 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and two forced fumbles. He was also a first-team all-district fullback who had 40 carries for 483 yards and 10 TDs.

Evan Arredondo, Sonora, Sr.

If the 6-5, 230-pound Arredondo is healthy, his presence will be felt on the field. Last year, he was the Co-Defensive Lineman of the Year in his district with 45 stops, seven tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble. He’s also a formidable weapon at tight end who had 26 catches for 471 yards and four TDs. 

Caleb Storey, Panther Creek, Jr.

The 5-3, 125-pound Storey is the smallest player on this list, but he had a productive sophomore year out in Panther Creek. He was in on 75 tackles last year with 11 tackles for loss and an INT. He also had 53 carries for 508 yards and 11 TDs, along with 11 catches for 140 yards and three TDs. 

Other Players to Watch

Troy Ceballos, San Angelo Central; Kash Jastrow, San Angelo Central; Gage Renfro, San Angelo Central; Chris Walker, San Angelo Central; Juan Ramirez, San Angelo Lake View; Tyrone Turner, San Angelo Lake View; Jackson Chacon, TLCA San Angelo; Etienne Trevino, TLCA San Angelo; Trey Huerta, TLCA San Angelo; Konner Linebarger, Grape Creek; Jayshawn Johnson, Grape Creek; Luke Tharp, Mason; Slade Buell, Mason; Josh Martinez, Ballinger; Kaiden Medrano, Ballinger; Kane Brock, Miles; Ryder Satepauhoodle, Miles; Jaylen Flores, Miles; Weston Beck, Miles; Jaxon Hohensee, Miles; Garrett Walling, Eldorado; Angel Diaz, Sonora; Jayden Welborn, Sonora; Beau Blackbird, Sonora; Jonah Gonzales, Sonora; Isaac Esquivel, Reagan County; Isaac Vega, Ozona; Jay Borrego, Ozona; Max Hughes, Christoval; Kreed Kirkland, Christoval; Evan Deeds, Richland Springs 

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