Senior, OL - Chris Owens, Arlington Lamar
After redshirting his freshman year, Owens has made his impact felt on the offensive line. Owens found himself filling in at center for the Tide after All-American Landon Dickerson suffered a torn ACL against Florida in the SEC Championship game. Owens helped the Tide complete their season with a Championship title playing Monday night against Ohio State.
At Arlington Lamar, Owens was a four-star guard and rated as the No. 10 guard Nationally according to a 247Sports composite and the No. 2 Guard in Texas. Owens earned an All-State selection by the Texas Associated Press and chose Alabama over Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas A&M.
Freshman, PK - Chase Allen, Colleyville Heritage
Allen joined Alabama as a walk-on addition this season. Allen has served the Crimson Tide by kicking off in various instances to include the starting kickoff duties in the first four games of the 2020 season, against LSU, Mississippi State, Kentucky, and Auburn. Although Allen didn't play during the National Championship game, he totaled 2,029 yards on kickoffs for the Crimson Tide.
At Colleyville Heritage, Allen was ranked as the No. 1 kicker and punter in Texas 5A Division 1. He earned an All-District 4-5A Special Teams Player of the Year honor his senior season and recorded a touchback on 30 of his 46 kicks during his senior season. Allen chose Alabama over Ole Miss and Villanova.
Freshman, RB - Jase McClellan, Aledo
McClellan has shown his ability more than once on Alabama's offense and special teams. He got his first collegiate playing time against Missouri early in the season where he played on special teams before doing the same against Texas A&M in the Tide's home opener. McClellan even earned special teams player of the week recognition from the Alabama coaching staff against Mississippi State where he helped limit MSU to zero yards on punt returns. McClellan totaled 245 rushing yards, two touchdowns, and one receiving yard during the 2020-2021 season with Alabama. McClellan joined on special teams during the National Championship game.
At Aledo, McClellan was a highly sought-after recruit. As a four-star prospect, he was ranked as the No. 6 running back and the No. 6 player in the state of Texas according to a 247Sports composite. McClellan was selected to play in the Under Armor All-American Game and competed in Nike's "The Opening". McClellan helped lead Aledo to a State Title in the 2019-2020 season with a 45-42 win over Fort Bend Marshall. McClellan totaled over 6,800 yards and 842 carries with 125 touchdowns. He chose Alabama over Oklahoma after first pledging his loyalty to the Sooners two years prior to his Tide commitment.
Freshman, OL - Drew Sanders, Denton Ryan
Drew Sanders came out of Denton ready to show his strength to his SEC opponents. Sanders saw consistent play on special teams throughout the entire season as an outside linebacker. In his collegiate debut, Sanders recorded an unassisted tackle against Missouri early in the season. Sanders earned special teams player of the week from the Alabama coaching staff for his play against Tennessee and Arkansas. Sanders recorded four solo tackles and five assisted tackles prior to the National Championship game. Sanders saw playing time against Ohio State during the Championship showdown.
At Denton Ryan, Sanders made a name for himself and quickly became a five-star recruit. Rated as the No. 1 player in Texas according to a 247Sports composite, Sanders played on both ends of the ball where he completed over 10 passes and scored over 45 touchdowns in his career. Sanders was also named as a finalist for the 2019 Landry Player of the Year. Sanders chose Alabama over Oklahoma, LSU, Notre Dame, Oregon, and more.
2026 VYPE Dallas-Fort Worth Preseason Volleyball Player of the Year Fan Poll — OUTSIDE HITTER
Waxahachie's Chloe Sims (Arkansas commit)
The countdown to volleyball season is on, and now it's your turn to join the conversation. Vote for the player you believe deserves to be recognized as the 2026 VYPE DFW Preseason Volleyball Player of the Year among the area's standout outside hitters.
Voting will remain open through 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, August 6th.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE PHOTOS FROM THE 2026 VYPE DFW PHOTOSHOOT
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE PHOTOS FROM THE 2026 VYPE DFW PHOTOSHOOT
Emily Hubacek of Lake Highlands
Building a program from the ground up is never easy, but Lake Highlands head coach Emily Hubacek has wasted little time establishing a championship standard.
In just its first season, the new program exceeded expectations by finishing undefeated in district play and capturing a district championship. While the results were impressive, Hubacek knows sustaining success presents an entirely new challenge as the Wildcats prepare for a much tougher district in 2026.
"When you're starting a new program, the biggest challenge is getting everyone to buy in," Hubacek said. "Not just the players, but the parents as well."
That buy-in has become the foundation of everything Lake Highlands does. Hubacek has built an intentional culture that extends far beyond the volleyball court. Every workout has a purpose. Every practice has a standard. Even the relationships her players build away from the gym are viewed as an extension of the program.
"Our culture is very intentional—from how we work out, to who we hang out with off the court, to how we play every point," she said.
With a tougher schedule looming, much of the offseason emphasis has centered on conditioning and preparing for the physical demands of competing against stronger opponents. One message has been repeated throughout the offseason.
No complacency.
Winning a district title in Year One was an accomplishment, but it doesn't guarantee future success. Every position must continue to be earned, and competition is embraced rather than avoided.
"This is not for everyone," Hubacek said. "If it were easy, everyone would do it. Our kids have to have the mentality to compete every day—for their spot, for that game, for that match. We feed on competition."
That mindset has quickly become the identity of the program. Lake Highlands isn't satisfied with simply having a successful inaugural season.
The Wildcats are focused on building a culture capable of sustaining success year after year, regardless of who graduates or which district they compete in.
A new culture is taking root at McKinney Boyd, and head coach Stu Johnson believes that change will be the catalyst for turning the Broncos into a contender.
After playing a number of underclassmen a season ago, Boyd enters 2026 with valuable experience and renewed confidence. The record may not have reflected it last fall, but the foundation was laid by a young roster that gained meaningful Friday night reps. Now, those players return bigger, stronger and fully invested in Johnson's vision.
"The strength of our program is our culture," Johnson said. "The standards are different. Our kids have bought into what we're doing, and they want to change the direction of this program."
That buy-in has created a different atmosphere throughout the building. From the weight room to the practice field to the locker room, there is a renewed energy surrounding the Broncos. Expectations have risen, accountability has become the norm and competition is bringing out the best in everyone.
Offensively, McKinney Boyd has several exciting pieces to build around. Running back Kayden Washington is coming off an outstanding season and looks poised for an even bigger year after adding strength and explosiveness during the offseason. On the perimeter, Hudson Drake gives the Broncos a reliable outside target, while AJ Stewart creates matchup problems from the slot with his quickness and playmaking ability.
The offense will also benefit from the return of its junior quarterback, who gained valuable experience as a sophomore starter. With another offseason of development and a better understanding of the system, Boyd expects the passing game to take another step forward. Up front, center Drew Bowman anchors an improving offensive line that will be counted on to establish the physical identity Johnson wants.
Defensively, the Broncos believe the front seven can become one of the strengths of the team. Defensive linemen Chaston Stephens and Pierre Roby are physical forces at the point of attack, while linebacker Ugo Anosike flies sideline to sideline as the unit's "heat-seeking missile."
Their ability to control the line of scrimmage and create negative plays will be key as Boyd looks to compete in a challenging district.
Perhaps the biggest difference, however, isn't found on the depth chart. It's the belief inside the program.
The positive vibes throughout the locker room and school are impossible to ignore. Players are embracing the higher standards, competing every day for playing time and taking ownership of changing the narrative surrounding McKinney Boyd football.
GAMES
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