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HIGH FIVE: The hottest H-Town football underclassmen and their early recruiting journeys
VYPE's Jackson DiPasquale breaks down in no particular order the top five 2028 and 2029 high school prospects in Houston who are seeing their recruitment take off.
Also see VYPE's Fab 50 for 2028.
2028 RB Ian Thomas, Tomball High School
Bradley Collier
Tomball's Ian Thomas looks the part of a premier Division I running back. The son of former Rodney Thomas standout, the 6-foot, 195-pound sophomore is coming off a breakout season for the Cougars, rushing 203 times for 1,528 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Thomas’ dominant sophomore campaign vaulted him to the top of the national rankings, as 247Sports recently named him the No. 1 running back in the country for the Class of 2028.
Recruiting attention has surged ever since. Thomas has already collected offers from programs including Texas A&M Athletics, Texas Longhorns Athletics, Florida Gators Athletics, Florida State Seminoles Athletics, Arkansas Razorbacks Athletics and Stanford Athletics, among others.
2028 WR Jaylen Addai, Shadow Creek High School
Jaylen Addai comes from football royalty. The son of Super Bowl champion Joseph Addai, the Shadow Creek standout has quickly emerged as one of the nation’s elite young playmakers.
At 6-foot-1, Addai possesses the ideal blend of length, speed and explosiveness. Paired with polished route-running ability and dependable hands, he has become a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.
Following a strong sophomore campaign in which he hauled in 37 receptions for 779 yards and 14 touchdowns, Addai was recently ranked as the No. 1 overall player in Texas and the No. 2 wide receiver nationally in the Class of 2028.
His recruitment has exploded this offseason with scholarship offers pouring in from powerhouse programs including Michigan Wolverines Athletics, Florida Gators Athletics, Ohio State Buckeyes Athletics, USC Trojans Athletics, Notre Dame Athletics, Oregon Ducks Athletics, Alabama Athletics, LSU Athletics and Texas Longhorns Athletics, among others.
2029 Edge Ezarian Fields, North Shore High School
Jackson DiPasquale
The North Shore Mustangs have produced its fair share of elite defensive linemen over the years, sending stars like K'Lavon Chaisson and Dorance Armstrong Jr. to the next level and eventually the NFL. So who’s next in line?
Keep an eye on rising sophomore Ezarian Fields.
The 6-foot-5, 215-pound edge prospect has already created major buzz around the Eastside, with the Mustang coaching staff believing he could be the next nationally recruited defender to emerge from the powerhouse program.
Despite only entering his sophomore season, Fields already owns offers from programs including Miami Hurricanes Athletics, TCU Athletics, Colorado Buffaloes Athletics, Kentucky Wildcats Athletics, USC Trojans Athletics and SMU Athletics, with more expected to roll in after the summer camp circuit.
Fields possesses the traits college coaches covet early in the recruiting process — length, burst off the edge and natural pass-rushing ability. As North Shore continues to add strength and muscle to his frame this offseason, expect Fields to become one of the fastest-rising defensive prospects in the state during the 2026 campaign.
2028 DL RJ Wyms, College Park High School
Jackson DiPasquale
College Park's RJ Wyms is a name recruiting fans across the country are quickly beginning to recognize.
After entering last season largely unranked, Wyms skyrocketed up the recruiting boards and is now regarded as the No. 4 overall player in Texas and the No. 6 defensive lineman nationally in the Class of 2028. The rise comes after a dominant freshman campaign in which he totaled 49 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, six sacks and a forced fumble.
The son of Super Bowl champion Ellis Wyms, RJ already possesses the physical tools and instincts that translate to the next level. At 6-foot-2 and 260 pounds, he is a powerful force on the interior, excelling at the point of attack while consistently shedding blockers and disrupting plays in the backfield.
His recruitment has exploded this offseason with offers already arriving from programs such as LSU Athletics, Mississippi State Athletics, Tennessee Athletics, Michigan Wolverines Athletics, Georgia Tech Athletics and California Golden Bears Athletics, among others.
2028 Edge David Dotson, Atascocita High School
Jackson DiPasquale
Atascocita Eagles has become a breeding ground for elite football talent over the years, producing names like Sam Cosmi, Kenyon Green, Kam Dewberry, Braylon Conley, Tory Blaylock and Cardae Mack, among others.
The next big-time prospect emerging from “The A” is David Dotson.
Dotson is already regarded as the No. 9 overall player in Texas and the No. 7 defensive lineman nationally in the Class of 2028. At 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, he possesses the size, frame and athleticism college programs covet in a high-level defensive line prospect.
His recruitment has taken off this offseason with offers from programs including Michigan Wolverines Athletics, UCLA Athletics, Oregon Ducks Athletics, Texas Tech Athletics, Houston Cougars Athletics, Florida Gators Athletics, Florida State Seminoles Athletics and Vanderbilt Athletics, among others.
Dotson is poised to be one of the breakout defensive players to watch next fall, especially under new defensive-minded Eagles head coach Kyle Coats. Expect his stock to continue rising as he heads into what could be a huge junior campaign.
Iowa Colony Jr. QB Carson White
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Sean Simon -- La Porte Football
Photo taken/provided by: Carlyle Henry (Premier Sports Photos)
Despite drawing a tough matchup in the opening round of the playoffs against a surging Weiss squad — which went on to reach the Regional Semifinals — La Porte’s 9-2 season and second consecutive undefeated District 11-5A-D1 title speak for themselves.
Building on a monumental breakout campaign in 2024, sophomore tailback Sean Simon somehow elevated his game even further this fall, finishing just shy of 2,200 rushing yards — a new single-season program record — to go with 25 touchdowns. While credit is certainly due to LP’s stout offensive line, it’s Simon’s blend of vision, burst, and physicality that makes him one of the most difficult backs in the region to contain.
Recently named District Offensive Player of the Year, Simon’s ascent — and La Porte’s trajectory as a whole — is far from finished. The four-star recruit continues to solidify his status as one of the most intriguing prospects in the Class of 2028, already holding offers from Vanderbilt, Houston, TCU, Tennessee, and others.
Malachi Gamble -- Dickinson Football
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Dickinson’s offense has been nothing short of electric this fall, piling up points at a staggering pace and powering the Gators to an unblemished 13-0 record. At the center of that surge is Malachi Gamble, the defending District 24-6A Co-MVP whose impact continues to define the team’s identity.
The senior running back has helped fuel a unit averaging more than 50 points per game, most recently showcased in Dickinson’s commanding 55–16 dispatching of Strake Jesuit. Now, Gamble and the Gators prepare for a marquee showdown with North Shore in Friday’s 6A-D1 Region III Final. Should they upend the historic H-Town heavyweight, Dickinson would clinch its first State Final Four appearance in nearly 50 years — the program’s only other trip coming during the 1977 3A State Championship season.
As the stakes rise, so does Gamble’s influence, anchoring a campaign that’s pushing Dickinson into truly rare territory.
Carson White -- Iowa Colony Football
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The Ray Garza-led Pioneers have produced yet another enthralling performance this fall, echoing the excitement of 2024 — and it all starts with the young man under center.
Iowa Colony quarterback Carson White has combined remarkable consistency with the ability to create big plays at any moment. That was on full display during the Pioneers’ resilient 31–30 win over Brenham last Friday, when White threw two touchdown passes to his favorite target, Jayden Warren (Texas A&M commit), before sealing the victory himself with a rushing touchdown just under seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
Through the season, the junior signal-caller has amassed over 1,800 passing yards and 31 touchdown passes, alongside 580 rushing yards and 14 more scores — numbers that cement his case for back-to-back District 9-5A-DII Offensive MVP honors.
As Iowa Colony enters the Region III Final this week, the Pioneers carry a 12–1 record, with their lone setback coming against district rival and defending 5A-D2 State Champion Randle — a team that once again stands between IC and a UIL Final Four appearance. Considering September’s 49–42 meeting, the two programs are poised for another offensive showcase when they meet Friday at 7:00 PM at Legacy Stadium.
Under these high-stakes conditions, expect White to continue thriving in the spotlight.
Ja'Maurey Champion -- Pearland Football
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
The Oilers’ ground game was undeniably a defining feature of Pearland’s season, and it was unquestionably bolstered by Ja’Maurey Champion, whose presence often felt like a highlight reel in motion.
The team’s lead back rushed for 1,610 yards and 25 touchdowns this fall, earning unanimous first-team, all-district honors while guiding Pearland to an 11-1 record and an undefeated District 22-6A title. Though the Oilers’ season ended in the 6A-D1 Area Round against Dickinson, Champion’s impact was unmistakable, providing the spark that carried his team throughout the year.
As the senior enters the next stage of his journey, his recruitment window remains wide open. Programs in search of a dynamic, versatile running back will find no shortage of reasons to pursue him, as Champion’s combination of finesse and toughness makes him a talent capable of making an immediate impact at the collegiate level.
Jaylen Addai -- Shadow Creek Football
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Four-star wideout Jaylen Addai — son of former Indianapolis Colts running back Joseph Addai — emerged as one of Shadow Creek’s brightest revelations this fall. Still only a sophomore, he already retains offers from major programs such as Texas A&M, Miami, Texas Tech, and Houston, a testament to the early buzz surrounding his talent.
By season’s end, Addai hauled in 38 passes for 771 yards and 14 touchdowns, leading the Sharks in all three categories and earning a conspicuous, well-deserved District 22-6A Offensive Newcomer of the Year nod. His production was the X-factor for a Shadow Creek squad that closed 2025 by going 8–4 overall, before bowing out of the 6A-D2 playoffs to C.E. King — a team now set to face Summer Creek in the Region III Final.
And while the Sharks’ postseason run concluded earlier than hoped, the foundation ahead remains promising. With phenoms like Addai in their ranks, optimism is more than justified as Shadow Creek turns the page toward next season.