Series
2026 Public Schools Top 100 Preview: No. 25 Southlake Carroll
Southlake Carroll opens No. 25 with seven offensive starters back, four Power Four commitments and a new defense to build under Lee Munn.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 8 min read
TX Public School Football
Texas
There is no warmup period on Carroll’s schedule. The Dragons open against Jenks at the Cotton Bowl on August 27. Jenks remains one of Oklahoma’s most respected programs and should provide an immediate test for Carroll’s new quarterback and rebuilt defense. A road game against North Crowley follows on September 4. North Crowley has established itself as one of the elite programs in Texas, making this one of the most important national public-school games of the early season. Carroll then hosts Allen on September 11. Those three games give the Dragons an opportunity to build an impressive national résumé, but they also create legitimate 1-2 or 2-1 possibilities before district play even begins. The new District 4-6A includes Boswell, Keller, Keller Central, Keller Timber Creek, Northwest, Eaton and Byron Nelson. Carroll should enter as the district favorite, but Byron Nelson and Eaton are capable of testing a young defense. The schedule becomes more manageable after the opening stretch. That should give Carroll time to develop its new starters before the postseason. August 27: vs. Jenks at the Cotton Bowl September 4: at North Crowley September 11: vs. Allen September 17: at Keller Central September 25: vs. Eaton October 2: Open October 9: vs. Northwest October 16: vs. Keller October 23: at Byron Nelson October 30: vs. Timber Creek November 5: at Boswell
Blake Gunter, WR, 2027 Gunter returns as one of the most productive receivers in Texas after catching 68 passes for 1,224 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2025. He also carried the ball five times for 138 yards and two scores, giving him 20 total touchdowns. The California commitment can win vertically, create after the catch and line up in multiple spots. Regardless of who starts at quarterback, Gunter should remain one of the central pieces of the Carroll offense. Brody Knowles, WR, 2027 Knowles gives the Dragons another proven outside weapon. The Illinois commitment finished last season with 36 receptions for 816 yards and seven touchdowns. He averaged more than 22 yards per reception, demonstrating his ability to turn limited opportunities into explosive plays. Defenses cannot devote all their coverage attention to Gunter without giving Knowles favorable matchups. Luke Wilson, OL, 2027 Wilson is one of the leaders of an offensive line that could become Carroll’s biggest strength. The Oklahoma commitment provides size, experience and high-level ability in pass protection. His presence should make the quarterback transition easier while giving Carroll a dependable foundation for its running game. Tristan Dare, OL, 2027 Dare joins Wilson as another Power Four commitment up front. The Missouri pledge brings physicality and another experienced presence to the offensive line. Carroll should be capable of controlling games at the line of scrimmage, especially once district play begins. Ty McCurry, OL, 2028 McCurry is one of the younger names to watch on Carroll’s offensive line. Already a nationally recruited prospect in the 2028 class, he adds another talented piece to a group that should be able to protect a new quarterback and create space for the running game. Brooks Biggers, RB, 2027 Biggers earned important experience after stepping into a larger role during the 2025 season. He runs behind an experienced line and will benefit from defenses having to respect Carroll’s receivers. His development could give the Dragons the balance they need against elite postseason opponents. Hudson Tomcheck, QB, 2028 Tomcheck entered the offseason as one of the candidates to replace Angelo Renda. He played on the junior varsity level last season but has attracted significant recruiting attention because of his arm talent and athletic ability. Baylor, Houston, SMU, TCU and UTSA are among the programs listed with offers on his Carroll player profile. Tomcheck may offer the higher long-term ceiling, but he still must show he can manage Carroll’s offense against one of the most demanding schedules in Texas. Palmer Pensom, QB, 2027 Pensom served as Carroll’s varsity backup in 2025 and gives the Dragons an experienced option in the quarterback competition. His knowledge of the system, toughness and familiarity with the returning offense could be valuable, especially during the opening three-game stretch. Munn publicly described the position as a competition between Tomcheck and Pensom. Until the program announces a final decision, both belong in the conversation. Jordan Calvert, LB, 2027 Carroll needs new defensive leaders to emerge, and Calvert is one of the players positioned to take on a larger role. The Dragons are replacing every starter from last season’s defense. That creates opportunity, but it also puts immediate pressure on the new linebackers and defensive backs to communicate correctly against experienced opponents.
Series
Southlake Carroll opens No. 25 with seven offensive starters back, four Power Four commitments and a new defense to build under Lee Munn.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 8 min read
Series
Southlake Carroll enters 2026 coming off a 14-1 season, a Texas 6A Division II state semifinal appearance, and a final ranking of #23 in the 2025 Public Schools Top 25.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 1 min read