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.
Friday, August 29 – 7:30 PM | Tim Buchanan Stadium, Aledo
Two of North Texas’ most storied football programs will kick off the 2025 season in style when the Denton Guyer Wildcats travel to Aledo to face the Bearcats in a high-stakes non-district battle under the lights at Tim Buchanan Stadium.
Both teams enter the new year with high expectations and plenty of returning firepower, despite undergoing some changes at key positions.
For Denton Guyer, 2025 marks the second season under head coach Reed Heim, who previously served as the team’s defensive coordinator. The Wildcats are coming off a 10-4 campaign that culminated in an extensive run to the 6A-Division II Region I Final, where they were edged out in a 56-45 score-fest against Southlake Carroll.
Offensively, Guyer will be looking to replace the production of standout quarterback Kevin Sperry, now at Florida State. Even so, there’s no shortage of playmakers on Heim’s roster.
Junior athlete Erick “DJ” Reese returns after a breakout season in which he earned District Offensive Newcomer of the Year honors, posting over 900 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.
Senior tailback DJ Black adds experience and consistency out of the backfield, while senior wideout Corbin Glasco—a Kansas-commit—brings big-play potential to the perimeter.
But where Guyer may shine brightest is on the defensive side of the ball, fitting for a team led by a coach with a defensive pedigree.
Junior DT Khyren Haywood anchors the line after a dominant sophomore season that earned him first-team, all-district recognition and interest from major college programs including Texas, LSU, and Oregon.
He’s joined in the trenches by junior edge rusher Zane Rowe, another four-star recruit with a similar array of offers.
The linebacker unit is equally stacked, led by Illinois-commit Kaedyn Cobbs and returning stat-stuffer Ryder Garcia, who racked up 109 tackles, 9.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles in 2024.
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Aledo, meanwhile, enters 2025 hungry to reclaim its perch atop 5A-DI after last season’s 12-2 finish ended short of a third consecutive state title.
Head coach Robby Jones, now in his third year after taking the reins from longtime leader Tim Buchanan, has maintained Aledo’s championship-level standard and returns a loaded roster intent on making another title run.
Leading the Bearcats’ offense is senior wide receiver Kaydon Finley, a four-star Notre Dame-commit who torched defenses last year to the tune of 1,432 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns.
With former District MVP Raycine Guillory now at Utah, the backfield spotlight turns to senior Kaden Winkfield, a second-team, all-district selection poised for a larger role.
Up front, experienced linemen Payton Williams (UTSA-commit) and Ryan Campbell (Trinity-commit) will set the tone in the trenches.
Defensively, Aledo’s veteran core includes first-team, all-district selections at every level—Tulsa-bound DE Carson Dempsey, stalwart tackle Decker Sanders, linebacker Chase Wilburn, and Army-bound safety Lamel Swanson—giving the Bearcats an undeniable veteran presence.
This clash not only pits 6A vs. 5A but serves as an early litmus test for two programs with championship ambitions. For fans across the Dallas-Fort Worth area, it’s a must-watch opener with State-caliber talent on both sidelines.
CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT OUR 2025 DFW PRESEASON RANKINGS
There is so much fun to be had at a VYPE Media Days!
From team and individual pictures, social media shout-outs and video interviews, it is all there for the student-athletes to feel like a superstar.
Our team traveled to Prosper HS for their 2025 Volleyball Media Day recently. Check out the behind-the-scenes hype video below!
THE HIERARCHY: VYPE DFW 2025 Preseason Football Rankings; North Crowley, SL Carroll headline the early Top-20
The 2024 UIL 6A-D1 State Champions -- North Crowley Panthers
As the countdown to the ensuing football season begins, the Dallas-Fort Worth region once again stands at the epicenter of Texas gridiron power. With a mix of returning state champions, perennial contenders, and fast-rising challengers, this year’s VYPE DFW preseason Top 20 offers a familiar — yet subtly reshuffled — look at the area’s elite programs.
At the top sits North Crowley, which enters the season as the reigning 6A Division I State Champions after a flawless 16-0 run in 2024. With momentum and depth on their side, the Panthers now shift from surprise story to title defender.
Close behind are programs with no shortage of postseason pedigree. Southlake Carroll, fresh off a 6A Division II title-game appearance, and Duncanville, another consistent contender, remain fixtures in the championship conversation. Allen, DeSoto, Denton Guyer, and Coppell also return with rosters capable of deep playoff runs in the state's top classification.
In Class 5A, Highland Park and South Oak Cliff headline a group rich with postseason experience. Both reached the State Finals in their respective divisions last year, and each has the infrastructure and tradition to make another push. Teams like Aledo, Denton Ryan, and Argyle continue to reload rather than rebuild, while Frisco Lone Star and Wylie East are looking to convert regional success into state-level breakthroughs.
The 4A scene is led by Celina, which went undefeated en route to a state title last fall. The Bobcats, one of Texas’ most decorated programs, appear poised for another strong year. Panther Creek is also gaining attention after a 10-win season and could be a sleeper pick in the smaller-class ranks.
With proven champions and hungry challengers at every level, DFW football promises another thrilling ride in 2025.
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VYPE Dallas-Fort Worth Combined (6A-4A) Top-20 Football Rankings -- 2025 PRESEASON
***Second section denotes 2024 result
1. North Crowley Panthers (6A) -- 16-0 // UIL 6A-D1 State Champions*
2. Southlake Carroll Dragons (6A) -- 15-1 // UIL 6A-D2 State Finalists
3. Duncanville Panthers (6A) -- 13-1 // UIL 6A-D1 State Semifinalists
4. Highland Park Scots (5A) -- 14-2 // UIL 5A-D1 State Finalists
5. South Oak Cliff Bears (5A) -- 13-3 // UIL 5A-D2 State Finalists*
6. Allen Eagles (6A) -- 13-1 // 6A-D1 Region 1 Finalists
7. Aledo Bearcats (5A) -- 12-2 // 5A-D1 Region 1 Finalists
8. Denton Guyer Wildcats (6A) -- 10-4 // 6A-D2 Region 1 Finalists
9. DeSoto Eagles (6A) -- 11-3 // 6A-D2 Region 2 Finalists
10. Denton Ryan Raiders (5A) -- 13-2 // UIL 5A-D1 State Semifinalists*
11. Celina Bobcats (4A) -- 16-0 // UIL 4A-D1 State Champions*
12. Argyle Eagles (5A) -- 13-2 // UIL 5A-D2 State Semifinalists*
13. Prosper Eagles (6A) -- 8-3 // 6A-D1 Bi-District Finalists
14. Waxahachie Indians (6A) -- 9-4 // 6A-D1 Regional Semifinalists
15. Lone Star Rangers (5A) -- 12-2 // 5A-D1 Region 2 Finalists
16. Coppell Cowboys (6A) -- 12-1 // 6A-D1 Regional Semifinalists
17. Trinity Trojans (6A) -- 11-2 // 6A-D1 Regional Semifinalists
18. Lewisville Farmers (6A) -- 7-4 // 6A-D1 Bi-District Finalists
19. Panther Creek Panthers (4A) -- 10-2 // 4A-D1 Area Finalists
20. Wylie East Raiders (6A) -- 10-2 // 6A-D2 Area Finalists
Others to Watch: North Forney Falcons (6A), Rockwall Yellowjackets (6A), Cedar Hill Longhorns (6A), Lake Highlands Wildcats (6A), Lovejoy Leopards (5A), Walnut Grove Wildcats (5A), Reedy Lions (5A), Midlothian Panthers (5A), Red Oak Hawks (5A), Stephenville Yellowjackets (4A)
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