CLICK THE LINK BELOW OR "KEEP READING" TO WATCH THIS MATCHUP ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12:
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CLICK THE LINK BELOW OR "KEEP READING" TO WATCH THIS MATCHUP ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12:
Football is the family business in the Price household, and business is booming.
Standing at 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, Cedar Hill’s Jalen Price is one of the most intriguing defensive prospects in Texas. The junior has been racking up offers from the likes of Auburn, Baylor, and Southern Miss, anchoring a fierce Cedar Hill defense with a chip on its shoulder.
“We want to remind the state of Texas that Cedar Hill is still here,” Price said. “There’s a standard you have to hold up here... it’s competitive. Everyone wants to eat. We’re all fighting to get that first sack, that first TFL, that first tipped ball. We all want to make plays.”
One of Price’s biggest weapons? His versatility in the trenches.
“I’ve really improved my speed, and my body is developing,” he said. “With my size and quickness, the coaches are moving me around from the edge to three-technique in pass rush. All these different stances and alignments let me open up my bag.”
That athleticism and passion run deep in his bloodline. His father, JP Price, played alongside Zach Thomas and Marcus Coleman at Texas Tech. His grandfather, Willie Price Jr., was an All-SWAC performer at Prairie View A&M and later coached JP at Roosevelt High in Dallas.
Despite the legacy, Jalen’s journey has been self-driven.
“I’ve never really felt pressure from my family to play football,” he said. “I actually like engineering. But as I got older—and bigger—I really started to love the sport and the physicality of it.”
That love turned into resolve after a personal tragedy.
“I made a promise to my auntie that I was going to make it. When she passed, it flipped a switch in me. I’ve got to keep my promise to her.”
Now, he’s locked in like a pro.
“I train, eat right, and focus a lot on recovery,” he said. “You’ve got to get rest. I play a lot of basketball to improve footwork and cardio, and I watch film constantly—Aaron Donald, T.J. Watt, Aidan Hutchinson, Colin Simmons (Texas), Dylan Stewart (South Carolina). I stay in the game.”
With his size, genes, and mindset, Jalen Price is a name Texas high school football — and college recruiters — won’t forget anytime soon.
The Texas Longhorns have landed a commitment from one of the top defensive players in H-town in 2026 Mayde Creek (Texas) four-star linebacker Kosi Okpala.
Okpala commits to the Longhorns over Miami, Baylor and Penn State among others.
The four-star linebacker is now the 16th commit in Texas’ 2026 class.
“The connection and relationship at Texas that I have built with the coaches over there was stronger than every other school recruiting me,” Okpala said. “I feel like Texas was the best option for me to play on a big stage and that’s why I chose them.”
Okpala took his last official visit to Texas on June 20th and what he saw on his visit really solidified his decision in committing to the Longhorns.
“I loved everything about my visit,” he said. “The fit, NIL opportunities, building relationships with the players, everything just was the right fit for me and that’s when I knew it was home.”
Okpala makes his commitment ahead of his Senior year and he’s ready to focus in and have a big year hoping to lead the Rams back to the playoffs.
“It means a lot to commit before my senior year and start focusing in on getting ready for the season,” Okpala said. “I really just want to have another productive year this year, add more to the stat sheet and take home the Defensive player of the year and District MVP but the main goal is to just go out there and help my team win.”
The talented Mayde Creek star is officially off the board and look for him and the Rams to have a big season, but Okpala had one last message to Longhorn fans as he is now committed.
“I’m going to come in there ready to win, ready to compete. The goal is to win, one thing at a time… I’m ready to get to work!”
The Heavenbound Christian League (HCL) kicks off its Silver Legacy Week on Friday with a high-profile Exposure Camp, headlined by Super Bowl champion Ainias Smith.
A product of Dulles High School and Texas A&M, Smith recently wrapped up his rookie season with the Philadelphia Eagles. But before the NFL spotlight, he was deeply rooted in a mission that hits closer to home—HCL, the faith-based organization founded by his parents.
The Heavenbound Christian League serves the Greater Houston area, empowering student-athletes and their families through mentorship, character development, and athletic training—all grounded in faith.
Smith, joined by fellow HCL alumni Ross Blacklock and Leon O’Neal, sat down with VYPE’s Matt Malatesta to reflect on their football journeys—and the impact that HCL has had on their lives, both on and off the field.
From little league dreams to NFL realities, the trio credits HCL not just for athletic guidance, but for shaping their values and vision for the future.
For information on the camp, fund-raiser and dinner, please go to Heavenbound Christian League.
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