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2026 Public Schools Top 100 Preview: No. 17 DeSoto
DeSoto opens No. 17 with SaRod Baker, a move into Class 5A Division I and the talent to make another Texas title run.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 6 min read
TX Public School Football
Texas
Like Grayson (Ga.), the team ranked one spot ahead at No. 16, DeSoto will not receive a gradual introduction to the 2026 season. The Eagles open Aug. 29 in South Florida against St. Thomas Aquinas as part of the Broward County National High School Football Showcase. The Raiders are one of the country’s most successful programs and return another roster filled with major college prospects. Six days later, DeSoto visits Allen for another difficult non-district matchup. The Eagles then face No. 8 Duncanville on Sept. 12 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. The rivalry has become one of the biggest annual games in Texas. The 2026 meeting is part of the inaugural Roland Parrish Classic, with No. 7 North Shore facing No. 30 South Oak Cliff in the second game of the Cotton Bowl doubleheader. Those three games will reveal whether DeSoto’s rebuilt passing attack is ready to complement Baker. They will also give the Eagles three immediate opportunities to rise significantly from their No. 17 preseason ranking. DeSoto begins District 8-5A Division I play at Burleson Centennial before facing Midlothian, Lancaster, Mansfield Summit, Cedar Hill, Mansfield Legacy and Cleburne. The move from 6A does not guarantee an easy postseason path, but DeSoto enters its new classification after winning three of the past four Class 6A Division II championships. That experience makes the Eagles an immediate Class 5A Division I title favorite. #### 2026 DeSoto Schedule Aug. 29: at St. Thomas Aquinas (Florida) Sept. 4: at Allen Sept. 12: vs. Duncanville at the Cotton Bowl Sept. 18: at Burleson Centennial Sept. 25: vs. Midlothian Oct. 9: at Lancaster Oct. 16: vs. Mansfield Summit Oct. 23: at Cedar Hill Oct. 30: at Mansfield Legacy Nov. 5: vs. Cleburne
SaRod Baker — RB, 2027 Baker enters his senior season as one of the most accomplished returning running backs in the country. His combination of patience, power and big-play ability transformed DeSoto during the 2025 playoffs. He is committed to Texas Tech and will be the first player every opponent builds its defensive plan around. LeMarcus Summers — QB, 2027 Summers is the leading quarterback name on DeSoto’s current roster following Howell’s graduation. His ability to manage the offense and establish a downfield passing threat will help determine whether defenses can devote additional players to stopping Baker. K’Adrian Redmond — DL, 2027 The 6-foot-4, 300-pound defensive lineman is another four-star Texas Tech commitment. Redmond gives DeSoto a disruptive interior presence and an experienced player around whom the Eagles can construct their defensive front. Landan Adams — LB, 2028 Adams is one of DeSoto’s top young defensive prospects. The former Little Rock Parkview standout enters his junior season with an opportunity to become a central part of a defense replacing several championship contributors.
Series
DeSoto opens No. 17 with SaRod Baker, a move into Class 5A Division I and the talent to make another Texas title run.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 6 min read
Series
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Top 25 Public HSFB / 5 min read
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Top 25 Public HSFB / 5 min read