It’s a historic early start to the Texas high school football season thanks to the private schools.
TAPPS and SPC programs kick off their seasons Aug. 21, a week before UIL schools, and the American-Statesman is taking a look at the Austin area’s top players from private schools.
From quarterback to defensive line, there are several talented players and many notable returners.
Here are 25 high school football players from Austin-area private schools to watch this season:
(Players listed alphabetically)
Will Ahrens, Hill Country Christian OL/DL: Physical junior leads the Knights’ line on both sides of the ball.
Nico Anderson, St. Michael’s QB: Entering his third season as the Warriors’ starter, he’s coming off a junior year when he threw for 2,719 yards and 29 TDs and ran for 443 yards and nine scores.
Colin Angelo, Regents LB: Aggressive senior linebacker recorded 82 tackles, including 14 for a loss, in earning first-team all-state honors in TAPPS Division II.
Levi Baron, Brentwood Christian WR/DB: Bears senior will be relied upon heavily on both sides of the ball.
Tom Burgess, Hyde Park ATH: Tallied 681 all-purpose yards and 11 TDs as a sophomore.
Braylon Compton, Regents RB: Makes the move to running back after an impressive junior campaign at linebacker.
Jack Devine, Regents QB: The American-Statesman’s two-time all-private school player of the year returns for one more season to light up opposing defenses. After throwing for 3,491 yards and 55 TDs and running for 727 yards and 12 scores last fall, he’s received seven Division I offers and has committed to San Diego State.
Jack Dial, St. Andrew’s ATH: Talented two-way player will play a significant role for the Highlanders.
Marcus Erlanson, St. Andrew’s WR/TE: Dangerous on the outside, he missed four games due to injury as a junior but still hauled in 21 catches for 455 yards and nine TDs.
Rhone Goldberg, St. Michael’s DB/RB: Talented safety – he had 34 stops, eight pass breakups and an interception in 2025 – will see a bigger role on offense this fall as he’s one of the Warriors’ key two-way players.
Charlie Greenberg, St. Andrew’s QB: Sophomore returns for his second year under center for the Highlanders after throwing for 1,592 yards and 18 TDs.
Luke Haygood, Veritas DE: At 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, the junior will lead the defense for a program that is jumping from six-man to 11-man football.
Caden Hobson, Hyde Park LB: Senior transfer will be counted on to make plays all over the field for a side that lost a lot of production to graduation.
Simon Johnson-Watson, Hyde Park OL: Arguably the area’s top private school lineman, the mammoth 6-foot-7, 300-pound left tackle has offers from Texas State and North Texas, among others.
Cole Knippa, Regents DL: Wreaking havoc in the trenches, the senior tallied four sacks, 18 tackles for loss and 45 stops on the way to being voted second team all-state in TAPPS Division II.
AJ Koncaba, Brentwood OL/DL: Senior gives the Bears experience on the edge and at offensive tackle.
Christian Magee, Hill Country Christian WR/DB: Tallied 745 all-purpose yards as a sophomore, almost half of which came from 27 receptions. He also had four TD catches and made three interceptions on defense.
Cooper Metzger, St. Michael’s OL/DL: Junior with a high motor had 42 tackles on defense and is one of the Warriors’ top returners on offense.
Kellan Millington, Regents WR: After the top three Knights wideouts graduated, the junior should be Devine’s top target. He tallied 27 catches for 463 yards and seven TDs last fall.
Sam Moore, Brentwood Christian OL/DL: With 28 tackles and a sack last fall, he’s a formidable presence in the trenches.
Brady Morris, St. Michael’s TE/LB: Senior is ready for a breakout season after missing almost all of 2025 with an injury.
Crawford Moffitt, Hyde Park QB: One of several talented signal-callers on the list, he passed for 1,884 yards and 14 TDs and rushed for 630 yards and 10 scores in helping the Panthers reach the playoffs.
Chigozie Okorafor, Brentwood Christian RB/LB: After making an impact as a freshman, the impressive athlete should have a breakout fall for the Bears.
Hayes Paddock, St. Andrew’s RB: Junior rushed for 1,235 yards and 18 TDs in 2025 and was all-SPC as well as the American-Statesman’s newcomer of the year.
Judah Pulley, Hill Country Christian WR/DB: Like Magee, the talented senior will see an increased role on both sides of the ball this fall for the Knights.
Diego Romero, Regents OL: Senior center leads the Knights up front and will be important in the success of the offense.
Houston Shaw, Hyde Park ATH: After missing his entire junior year with an injury, the junior should be a major part of the Panthers in rushing, receiving and returning kicks.
Bo Touba, Veritas RB/LB: Senior will be counted on on both sides of the ball by the Defenders.
Mark Young, St. Michael’s OL/DL: An all-private school team pick by the Statesman on defense, he’s the Warriors’ leading returning tackler with 59 and also had four sacks.
This article originally published at 30 Central Texas private school football players to watch this season.
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