GAMES
RANKINGS
Where Are They Now: Former Greater Houston-Area athletes competing in Kinders Texas Bowl
VYPE takes a look at the top players from the Greater Houston-area to watch for in the game and the full list of Houston natives.
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Houston QB Conner Weigman - Bridgeland HS
Conner Weigman (Bridgeland) has been a major catalyst in No. 21 Houston’s resurgence during year two under Willie Fritz, helping lead the Cougars to a 9–3 record and their first bowl appearance since 2022.
The dynamic quarterback has put together a standout season, throwing for 2,475 yards and 24 touchdowns, while adding another dimension on the ground with 644 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.
Weigman’s dual-threat ability has powered Houston’s rise back into the national spotlight.
LSU LB Harold Perkins - Cypress Park HS
Before becoming a star at LSU, Harold Perkins was a two-way superstar at Cypress Park High School, leading the Tigers to a district championship in 2021.
Now in his junior season at LSU, Perkins continues to make his presence felt at the college level, totaling 55 tackles, four sacks, and three interceptions — showcasing the same impact ability that made him one of the most dominant players in Greater Houston during his high school days.
LSU S AJ Haulcy - FB Marshall HS
AJ Haulcy (FB Marshall) has put together an impressive collegiate career, beginning at the University of Houston before transferring to LSU this spring.
The standout defensive back earned All-American and First-Team All-SEC honors after a stellar season, finishing with 88 tackles, one forced fumble, four pass breakups, and three interceptions — solidifying himself as one of the top defenders in the conference.
Houston OL Mathhew Wykoff - Magnolia HS
Houston offensive lineman Matthew Wykoff (Magnolia High School) proved to be a major addition through the transfer portal this offseason, helping solidify the Cougars’ front five.
Wykoff has appeared in all 12 games this season, providing valuable versatility by playing both guard and tackle as Houston’s offensive line took a big step forward.
LSU OL Coen Echols - Katy HS
LSU offensive lineman Coen Echols emerged as a starter for the first time in his collegiate career this season, earning seven starts at guard while also appearing in the Tigers’ other five games.
Echols and the LSU offensive line will face a stiff challenge in the bowl matchup, going up against a talented and physical Houston defensive front that has been one of the Cougars’ strengths all season.
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Full List Of Kinders Texas Bowl Greater-Houston Area Participants
HOUSTON COUGARS
Houston QB Conner Weigman - Bridgeland HS
Houston QB Austin Carlisle - Ridge Point HS
Houston QB Jake Sock - Pearland HS
Houston RB Zane Smith - Fulshear HS
Houston RB Steve Polk - Manvel HS
Houston WR Marquis Shoulders - Tompkins HS
Houston WR Dylan Caddle - Cy Ranch HS
Houston WR Hunter Teichman - Lutheran South Academy
Houston WR Zaylen Cormier - Heights HS
Houston TE Kaleb Thomas - North Shore HS
Houston TE Wyatt Herbel - Cy Fair HS
Houston TE Jacory Thurman - Worthing HS
Houston OL Ricardo Cordova - Pasadena Memorial HS
Houston OL Sean Terrell - Klein Oak HS
Houston OL RJ Lee - Second Baptist School
Houston OL Jason Brooks Jr. - Dobie HS
Houston OL Matthew Wykoff - Magnolia HS
Houston OL Dalton Merryman - Montgomery HS
Houston OL Cedric Melton - Klein Cain HS
Houston DL Carmello Brooks - Paetow HS
Houston DL Chance Bryant - Fulshear HS
Houston DL Hunter Jones - Stratford HS
Houston Jack Sheldon Rice - Fulshear HS
Houston Jack Cavan Tuley - Tomball HS
Houston LB Christian Brathwaite - Cy Ranch HS
Houston LB Zion Taylor - Shadow Creek HS
Houston DB Blake Thompson - Elkins HS
Houston DB Kentrell Webb - Paetow HS
Houston DB Elijah Young - Klein Cain HS
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LSU TIGERS
LSU WR Nic Anderson - Katy HS
LSU LB Harold Perkins JR. - Cy Park HS
LSU DB AJ Haulcy - FB Marshall HS
LSU LB Charles Ross II - North Shore HS
LSU TE Donovan Green - Dickinson HS
LSU DB Justin Echols - Katy HS
LSU OL Coen Echols - Katy HS
Lamar Texans
DISTRICT 18-6A: Lamar, Heights battling for District Title
Bellaire Cardinals
Heights Bulldogs
Chavez Lobos
Westside Wolves
Wisdom Generals
Houston Math and Science
(Bold Denotes Playoffs)
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VYPE Preseason Awards
Most Valuable Player: Kobe Miles, Heights
Offensive Player of the Year: WIll Hazen, Bellaire
Defensive Player of the Year: Manuel Miller Jr., Chavez
Breakout Player of the Year: Larry Sanders, Lamar
On the Cusp: Westside Wolves
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Heights Bulldogs
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Lamar is a perennial playoff program. The Texans enter 2025 coming off an 8-4 campaign and seek to reach the playoffs for a 26th-straight year in 2025. Lamar returns nine starters for eighth-year head coach Michael Lindsey (56-20). RB Larry Sanders is coming off a 503-yard season with five scores. He racked up 932 all-purpose yards. OL Jayden Cook will be the leader in the trenches for the Texans. Defensively, first-team, all-district picks DB Robert McFarland (37 tackles, 3 INT) and DB Prince Washington (31 tackles, 1 INT, 7 PBUs) will hold down the secondary. Other players to watch include DE Martin Davis-Wheatfall (48 tackles, 4 sacks, 10 TFL), WR JaCarsten Landor (332 yards, 3 TD) and RB Deverick Stone-Hubbard (363 yards, 4 TD).
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Bellaire finished third in District 18-6A play a year ago after posting a 4-2 mark in district play. The Cardinals’ two district losses came to Lamar and Heights. Bellaire made the playoffs and reached the Bi-District round. The Cardinals go for a third-straight playoff appearance in 2025, which would mark their longest playoff streak since doing it in the 2015-2017 seasons. The Cardinals return first-team, all-district quarterback Will Hazen who passed for 1,144 yards and 15 touchdowns. One of his top targets, Tony Miller – a first-team, all-district receiver – returns after reeling in 20 catches for 284 yards and eight touchdowns. Second-team, all-district running back Chance Diebner returns after 287 yards and three scores a year ago, second-team receiver Cameron Johnson (223 yards, 2 TDs) and second-team kicker Cole McLean are also back. Defensively, Marshall Smith (45 tackles, 4 sacks) and Kris Connor (35 tackles, 4 sacks) return on the defensive line after second-team, all-district performances in 2024. Defensive back Bishop Jones (28 tackles, 3 INTs) is also set to return. Jones was second-team, all-district along with deep snapper Jonathan Bluhm.
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Heights went 8-4 in 2024 and reached the Area Round of the playoffs before falling to Strake Jesuit. The Bulldogs were senior heavy last year and will have to replace District Offensive MVP Zaylen Cormier and Defensive MVP Dylan Ray. Heights will have to rely on new names to make another run at the playoffs. The Bulldogs return second-team, all-district QB Kobe Miles, who passed for 1,508 yards and 20 touchdowns last season. RB Corian Jacobs is also set to return after rushing for 405 yards and seven touchdowns. Jacobs also reeled in 16 receptions for 268 yards and three scores. Defensively, OLB Joseph Chavez, a second team all-district pick, is back after registering 35 tackles and one sack.
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Chavez took a step forward in 2024 in winning two games – victories over Sam Houston Math and Science (23-6) and Wisdom (47-20) – to improve on their winless campaign in 2023. The Lobos bring back first-team, all-district selections in WR Johntta Thomas, OL Manuel Miller Jr. and TE Jeremiah Villarreal. Thomas finished with 781 yards and 10 touchdowns to lead the Lobos receiving corps. On the defensive side, Miller was also selected as a second-team, all-district defensive lineman after registering a team-leading 6.5 sacks and 53 tackles. Another defensive returner is Da'Quan James on the DL. James also earned a second-team nod on the all-district squad after racking up a team-leading 64 tackles and four sacks.
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Westside went 3-8 a year ago and reached the Bi-District round of the playoffs. Third-year coach Cedric Allen returns 10 starters to the mix, with six on the defensive side. Players to watch include DE Brandon Doyle (first-team, all-district), OLB Michael White (first-team, all-district), ILB Torrien Clark (first-team, all-district), QB Dylin White (second-team, all-district), OL Kenden Bailey, OL Calvin Miller and S Richard Bailey.
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Wisdom looks to bounce back from a 3-7 campaign in 2024 that saw the Generals win just one district game, which came against Sam Houston Math and Science. Wisdom returns a handful of all-district talent, including first-team OL Juan Alvear. Defensively, they bring back first-teamers in ILB Jamaroquie Haire and DB Marcus Wells. First-team, all-district punter Joshua Salinas is also set to return.
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Houston Math and Science posted a 1-9 overall record and went winless in district play a year ago. The Tigers are set to return second-team, all-district tight end/halfback Jaylean Salgado and second-team WR Adrian Hernandez. Defensively, first-team, all-district OLB Jalean Salgado and second-team, all-district OLB Treshaun White are set to return.