Top 10 former Texas high school football stars in 2024 Red River

Just hours after the 2024 high school football game of the year in Texas, many Lone Star State products will be playing in one of college football's biggest rivalries.

Texas and Oklahoma face off Saturday in the Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Central Time.

That's less than 24 hours after DeSoto, the nationally ranked stadium, hosts Duncanville 20 miles southwest.

The squads of the top-ranked Longhorns and the No. 18 Sooners are full of standout former Texas high school football players.

That includes two true freshmen – Oklahoma QB Michael Hawkins Jr. and Texas edge Colin Simmons – who made an immediate impact after dominant high school careers.

Here are the top 10 to watch out for on Saturday:

Jayden Blue, RB, Texas

High school: Spring Klein Cain

The junior posted a career-best 124 yards, 3 TD effort in a win against Louisiana-Monroe. He has 239 yards on 51 carries, the best for any Longhorns ball carrier. He also had 11 catches for 87 yards and two receiving touchdowns in four games. He played as an all-state player for the Hurricanes in 2020, but dropped out his senior year of high school.

Billy Bowman Jr., DB, Oklahoma

High school: Denton Ryan

The senior is a two-time All-Big 12 pick who started 33 games this season. He has one interception, one pass breakup and 15 tackles in three games this season. As a WR/DB at Ryan, he was ranked No. 39 by 247Sports out of high school. He helped the Raiders win the 5A title in 2020.

Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas

High school: Southlake Carroll

The Southlake Dragon was one of three players on the cover of EA Sports College Football 25, so he's probably the most recognizable player on this list. He will return to his starting QB role this week against the Sooners. Last year he threw for 3,479 yards, the fourth-most in UT history. Ewers, who played in his first year at Ohio State, was the 2022 Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year. In high school, he led the Dragons to a state championship in 2020 and threw for 6,445 yards and 73 touchdowns in just two seasons – reclassified to miss his senior season.

David Gbenda, LB, Texas

High school: Katy Cinco Ranch

He is the oldest player on this list, a sixth-year player for the Longhorns. Gbenda, the son of immigrants from Sierra Leone, has played 52 games in five years with 16 starters. This year, he is second on the team with 28 tackles while adding 3 1/2 TFL. He was an All-State and Under Armor All-American at Cinco Ranch.

Michael Hawkins Jr., QB, Oklahoma

High school: Frisco Emerson

The true freshman started in Week 4 for the Sooners and then earned his first start in Week 5 against Auburn. Hawkins ran for 101 yards and a touchdown. Through the air, he threw for 310 yards and a touchdown while completing 23 of 37 passes. He led the Mavericks to a berth in the Class 5A semifinals in 2023 as the program's second year. He was previously an Allen district pick and district freshman of the year at Allen.

Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas

High school: Denton Ryan

He was a success in his first year with the Forty Acres, sharing Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors and also being an all-conference pick. The sophomore is second on the Horns with 5 TFL and 2 1/2 sacks, while his 31 tackles lead the team. Hill Jr. helped Ryan win a state championship in 2020 and was the fourth-best recruit in the state coming out of high school.

Kip Lewis, LB, Oklahoma

High school: Carthage

The 6-foot-2 redshirt sophomore started five games last year and is fourth on the team with 21 tackles so far this year. He played five games in 2022 but ultimately redshirted. He helped the Carthage Bulldogs win two state titles in high school

Sammy Omosigho, LB, Oklahoma

High school: Crandall

After playing in 10 games as a reserve last year, he will take over the starting linebacker role this fall. Through five games, he is fifth with 19 tackles. His 3.5 TFL is second on the Sooners. He was the Pirates' district MVP on both offense and defense.

Taylor Tatum, RB, Oklahoma

High school: Longview

Tatum was ranked No. 38 in the 2024 class by ESPN and played in four games as a true freshman. He ran for 116 yards and two touchdowns and also caught a 9-yard pass for a score. He even completed his only pass attempt. He left Longview as the school's all-time leader in rushing touchdowns with 53.

Colin Simmons, DE, Texas

High school: Duncanville

The 6-foot-1, 245-pound player made a name for himself as a true freshman. He leads the team in sacks (4) and TFL (6 1/2) and has 18 tackles, four quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. He recorded two sacks in the win against Mississippi State in the SEC opener. He was an All-American at Duncanville – where he was twice the defensive MVP of the state title game.

More high school stars from Texas shine in college:

— Cody Thorn | @sblivetx