Crandall’s 2026 roster includes one established Division I commitment and several underclassmen who could see their recruiting profiles grow as the season unfolds.
Senior receiver Jeremiah Douglas leads the group with a signed college decision already in hand, while junior running back Darrik Ward Jr. has emerged as one of the program’s most closely watched underclassmen.
Jeremiah Douglas — WR, Senior — Vanderbilt Commit
Douglas enters his senior season already committed to Vanderbilt, having chosen the Commodores in December over offers from Texas, SMU, Kansas and Kansas State.
As a three-star prospect, he remains a target for other programs even after committing — LSU, Texas and Ole Miss have all continued pursuing him this offseason, according to recruiting reports.
The production backs up the interest. Douglas caught 66 passes for 1,032 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, earning District 7-5A Division II Offensive MVP honors along the way.
That combination of results and recruiting attention makes him Crandall’s highest-profile prospect heading into 2026. His matchups against Tyler and West Mesquite, two district opponents with their own Division I talent, should draw extra scrutiny from anyone tracking his tape.
Darrik Ward Jr. — RB, Junior
Ward has two seasons of high school football remaining, but his sophomore year already put him on the recruiting radar. He rushed for 1,246 yards and 17 touchdowns, earning District 7-5A Division II Offensive Newcomer of the Year in the process.
Recruiting analysts have already begun projecting his college destination, with early industry predictions favoring SMU over Arkansas as the two programs most engaged in his recruitment.
Running back recruiting often comes down to tape against real competition, and Crandall’s schedule gives Ward exactly that — games against Braswell, Rowlett, Terrell, Tyler and West Mesquite all offer chances to build on last season’s numbers against quality opponents.
Isaac Briones — QB, Senior
Briones enters his first season as Crandall’s full-time starter after a productive junior year in a shared role, completing 69 of 101 passes for 789 yards and seven touchdowns with only two interceptions.
Quarterback recruiting typically leans heavily on senior-year film, and Briones will get that opportunity running an offense already built around established talent at running back and receiver.
A strong start against Crandall’s difficult non-district schedule could go a long way toward building his own recruiting profile.
Davyn Davis — CB/WR, Junior
Davis is the other underclassman worth tracking closely. He already holds a Division I offer from UTEP, along with varsity experience in the secondary and two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Defensive backs who can cover, tackle and create turnovers tend to see recruiting interest accelerate quickly, and Crandall’s schedule, which includes several capable passing offenses, should give Davis plenty of opportunities to add to his offer list.
Opportunity in the Trenches
Recruiting attention isn’t limited to skill positions. Offensive linemen Colton Braswell and Khylan Dyer both return with varsity experience and a chance to raise their own profiles this season.
Playing behind an offense with established playmakers at every skill position gives both linemen a chance to produce useful film against quality defensive fronts, even without the individual stats that follow ball carriers and pass catchers.
A Schedule Built for Exposure
Crandall’s move to Class 5A Division I should work in its players’ favor when it comes to recruiting visibility.
The non-district slate includes Class 6A opponents Braswell and Rowlett before a home matchup with a nationally relevant Terrell team, and district play adds Tyler, West Mesquite and two more Mesquite ISD programs.
Any Crandall player who performs well against that group will have a body of film against genuinely strong competition — the kind that college coaches take seriously.
The Bottom Line
Recruiting boards can shift considerably over the course of a season.
Players who draw little attention in August sometimes become legitimate prospects by November, and underclassmen often climb recruiting boards once they start receiving consistent snaps.
Douglas already knows where he’s headed. For Ward, Davis and the rest of Crandall’s underclassmen, 2026 could be the season that determines where they end up.
