Top 100 East Texas Football Players Since 2000

There's been tons of outstanding players to come through this region of Texas since 2000. My list have been based off high school performance, but let's check out the best 100 to excel past high school. 

By The Numbers

Lufkin - 12

Longview - 12

Tyler High - 10

Tyler Legacy - 7

Kilgore - 6

Gilmer - 6

Tatum - 4

Carthage - 4

Daingerfield - 4

Pleasant Grove - 4

Texas High - 3

Whitehouse - 3

Spring Hill - 3

Hallsville - 2

Liberty-Eylau - 2

Henderson - 2

Chapel Hill - 2

Arp - 1

Nacogdoches - 1

Pittsburg - 1

Mt. Enterprise - 1

Elkhart - 1 

Linden-Kildare - 1

Crockett - 1

West Rusk - 1

Palestine - 1

Jefferson - 1

Jacksonville - 1

Mt. Pleasant - 1

Garrison - 1

Sulphur Springs - 1

Rusk - 1

Gladewater - 1

School: Chapel Hill 2006-08

College: TCU 2009-12

NFL: Undrafted Eagles

Best Year: 123 Carries 702 Yards, 12 TDS

School: Lufkin 2015-17

College: ULM 2018-22 Jacksonville State 2023

Best Year: 146 Carries 896 Yards 7 TDS - 2023

School: Tyler Legacy 2001-03
College: Oklahoma State 2004-07
Best Year: 65 Tackles, 2 for loss, 2 INT

School: Tatum 2004-06
College: Tennessee 2007-08 Louisiana Tech 2009-11
Best Year: 212 Carries 1,181 Yards 10 TDS 25 Catches 181 Yards

School: Texas High 2000-02
College: Texas 2003-07
Best Year: 70 Catches 795 Yards 5 TDS

School: Daingerfield 2008-10
College: SFA 2011-15
Best Year: 79 Catches 1,183 Yards 9 TDS

School: Longview 2007-09
College: Houston 2010-14
Best Year: 2013 41 Knockdown Blocks

School: Tyler High 2013-15
College: Houston 2016-20
UDFA: Dallas Cowboys
Best Year: 2018

School: Marshall 2015-17
College: LSU 2018-21
NFL: 6th Round Patriots (2022)
Best Year: 2020 9 Games Started

School: Tyler High 1999-2001
College: Tulane 2002-03 Baylor 2004-06
Best Year:2005 Honorable Mention All Big-12

School: Tatum 2003-05
College: ULL 2006-10
Best Year: 69 Tackles, 6 for loss, 4 Sacks, 2 INTS - 2008

School: Kilgore 2004-06

College: Texas 2007-10

NFL: Undrafted Chargers

Best Year: 2009 Honorable Mention All Big-12 

School: Hallsville 2008-10

College: Texas 2011-13
Best Year: First Team Freshman All-American 2011

School: Lufkin 2007
College: Houston 2008-2012
NFL: UDFA Commanders
Best Year: 1st Team All-Conference 2012

School: Kilgore 2003-05
College: Texas 2006-2010
NFL: UDFA Jets
Best Year: 52 Tackles, 10 for loss, 6 Sacks 2010

School: Tyler Legacy 2017-19
College: UTSA 2020-
Best Year: 88 Tackles, 6 for loss, 2 Sacks, 1 FF - 2022

School: Carthage 2008-10

College: TJC 2011 Wyoming 2012-14

Best Year: 41 Catches 576 Yards 3 TDS

School: Jacksonville 2020-2022

College: UTSA 2023

Best Year: 42 Catches 546 Yards 3 TDS

School: Texas High 2015-17

College: TCU 2018-19 Arkansas Tech 2020-22

Best Year: 51 Catches 740 Yards 6 TDS

School: Carthage 2020-21

College: Oklahoma 2022-

Best Year: 66 Tackles, 7 for loss, 1 Sack, 1 FR

School: Lufkin 2016-19

College: Texas 2020-23 Auburn 2024

Best Year: 38 Tackles, 3 INT, 1 TD - 2023

School: Tyler High 2000-01

College: Texas Tech 2002-06

Best Year: 81 Tackles, 5 for loss, 2 Sacks, 1 PBU

School: Carthage 2003-05

College: LSU 2006-07 TCU 2008-10

Best Year: 37 Tackles, 1.5 for loss, 2 INT, 1 TD - 2010

School: Longview 2012-14

College: Baylor 2015-19

NFL: Undrafted 49ers 2020-2021, Jaguars 2022-23, Patriots 2024

Best Year:46 Carries 194 Yards, 2 TDs - 2023

School: Lufkin 2002-04

College: Texas A&M 2005-08

Best Year: 94 Tackles, 2 for loss, 2 PBUS - 2008

School: Longview 2003

College: TCU 2004-08

NFL: 6th Round Redskins 2009

Best Year: 73 Tackles, 9 for loss, 1 Sack, 2 INT

School: Gilmer

College: Missouri

Best Year: 89 Tackles, 1.5 for loss, 3 INT, 4 PBU - 2013 HM All Big-12

School: Tyler Legacy 2004-06

College: TCU 2007-2011

Best Year: 70 Tackles, 1 for loss, 2 PBUs 2nd Team All Mountain West Conference

School: Whitehouse 2021-22

College: Oregon State 2023, Tennessee 2024-

Best Year: 31 Tackles, 2 INT, 7 PBUs

School: Spring Hill 2000-02

College: Houston 2003-07

Best Year: 71 Tackles, 1.5 for loss, 1 INT, 3 PBU, 2 FR - 2005

School: Kilgore 2003-05

College: Louisiana Tech 2006-08

Best Year: 2008 25 Straight Games Started

School: Kilgore 2003-05

College: TCU 2006-10

Best Year: 39 Tackles, 14 for loss, 6.5 Sacks - 2010 First Team All-American

School: Garrison 2002-05

College: Louisiana Lafayette 2006-09

Best Year: 67 Tackles, 1 for loss, 1 INT - 55 Yard TD - 2007

School: Chapel Hill 2008-10

College: North Texas 2011-14

Best Year: 74 Tackles, 4 for loss, 1 Sack, 3 INT - 1 TD, 2 PBU, 2 FF, 2 FR

School: Rusk

College: Nebraska 2004-08

NFL: 5th Round Commanders, Colts 2009-10

Best Year: 51 Tackles, 5 for loss, 4 PBU - 2008

School: Gilmer 2003-06

College: Texas 2007-10

NFL: 3rd Round Steelers 2011-13

Best Year: 47 Tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 INT for TD - 2009

School: Longview 1999-2001

College: Baylor 2002-2005

NFL: 7th Round Patriots 2006-07

Best Year: 59 Tackles, 7.5 for loss, 2 Sacks - 2005 41 PR 443 Yards 30 KR 741 Yards

School: Troup 2012-13, Gilmer 2014

College: Baylor 2015-19

Best Year: 68 Tackles, 8.5 for loss, 3.5 Sacks, 2 INTS, 3 PBU, 1 FF, 1 FR - 2019 HM All Big-12

School: Lufkin 2006-08

College: Oklahoma 2009-12

NFL: Undrafted Chargers 2013

Best Year: 29 Tackles, 6.5 for loss, 3 Sacks, 1 INT

School: Kilgore 2002-04

College: TCU 2005-2009

Best Year: 45 Tackles, 2 for loss, 1 Sack, 2 INT, - 2008 (2009 First Team All-Conference)

School: Gilmer 2002-04

College: Oklahoma 2005-08

NFL: 7th Round Cowboys 2009

Best Year: 42 Catches, 714 Yards, 9 TDS

School: Gladewater 2012-14

College: Texas A&M 2015-18

NFL: 5th Round Ravens 2019

Best Year: 32 Tackles, 10 for loss, 5.5 Sacks, 1 PBU - 2018

School: Whitehouse 2010-12

College: Texas Tech 2013-17

NFL: 6th Round Chargers 2018

Best Year: 71 Catches, 816 Yards, 7 TDS, 1 Carry 3 Yards, 1 TD - 2017

School: Tyler Legacy 2000-02

College: Texas A&M 2003-06

Best Year: 95 Tackles, 6 for loss, 3 Sacks, 3 PBU - 2005

School: Daingerfield 2008-10

College: Texas 2011-14

Best Year: 112 Tackles, 11.5 for loss, 5.5 Sacks, 2 PBU, 1 FF - 2014

School: Pleasant Grove 2017-20

College: LSU 2021, Arkansas 2022-

Best Year: 44 Tackles, 13.5 for loss, 6.5 Sacks, 2023 All SEC 2nd Team

School: Tatum 2005-07

College: Houston 2008-2011

Best Year: 198 Carries, 1,247 Yards, 13 TDS. 34 Catches, 496 Yards, 4 TDS - 2008

2nd Team Freshman All-American

School: Spring Hill 2001-03

College: North Texas 2004-2007

Best Year: 285 Carries, 1,801 Yards, 17 TDS, 3 Catches, 14 Yards 

 2004 1st Team Freshman All-American

School: Longview 2012-14

College: Texas Tech 2015-2019

NFL: 5th Round Ravens 2020-

Best Year: 18 Tackles, 3 for loss, 2 Sacks - 2023

School: West Rusk 2015-17

College: Texas Tech 2018-2022

NFL: 1st Round Raiders 2023

Best Year: 61 Tackles, 14 for loss, 7 Sacks, 1 FF, 1 FR - 2022

School: Carthage 2015-17

College: Texas 2018-20, USC 2021

NFL: 6th Round Cardinals 2022, Rams 2023

Best Year: 156 Carries, 911 Yards 5 TDS, 22 Catches 156 Yards - 2021

School: Henderson 2014-16

College: Baylor 2017-21

NFL: 6th Round Bears 2022-2023

Best Year: 148 Carries. 799 Yards, 2 TDS, 28 Catches, 284 Yards, 2 TDS - 2021

School: Gilmer 2004-07

College: Texas 2008-2011

Best Year: 2011 First Team All Big-12

School: Longview 2009-11
College: SFA 2012-13 Kilgore College 2014 Oklahoma State 2015-16
Best Year: 98 Tackles, 9.5 for loss, 3.5 Sacks, 1 Int, 1 FF, 1 FR 1st Team All Big-12

School: Longview 2008-10
College: Texas Tech 2011-15
NFL: Commanders 2016, Cardinals 2017
CFL: SSK 2021-23
Best Year: 81 Tackles, 15.5 for loss, 13 Sacks, 3 PBUs 1st Team All Big-12 2014

School: Linden-Kildare 2009-11

College: Baylor 2012-16

Best Year: 196 Carries, 1,329 Yards, 10 TDS, 9 Catches 71 Yards 1 TD - 2015 (All Big-12 2014)

School: Tyler High 2010-12

College: Mississippi State 2013-16

Best Year: 72 Catches, 917 Yards, 12 TDS - 2016 1st Team All-SEC

School: Tyler Legacy 2002-04

College: LSU

Best Year: 88 Knockdowns - First Team All-SEC 2009

School: Marshall 2016-18

College: Memphis 2019, USC 2020-23

NFL: Expected 2023 NFL Draft Pick

Best Year: 59 Catches, 1,008 Yards, 8 TDS - 2023 All Pac-12

School: Liberty-Eylau 2008-10

College: Oregon 2011, Texas A&M 2012-15

NFL: 2019 Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers

Best Year: 242 1,165 Yards 7 TDS 29 Catches 183 Yards 1 TD 2015 

School: Hallsville 2002-04

College: Texas 2005-09

NFL: 4th Round Bengals 2010. 2012\

Best Year: 102 Tackles, 3.5 for loss, 2 PBU, 1 FR -1 TD - 2008 (2009 2nd All Big-12)

School: Tyler Legacy 2001-03

College: LSU 2004-07

NFL: 7th Round Packers 2008-2011, Seahawks 2012, Packers 2013-14

Best Year: 202/359 2.407 Yards 21 TDS 11 INT, 100 Carries, 215 Yards 4 TDS - 2008

School: Longview 2017-19

College: Texas A&M 2020-22, Georgia Tech 2023-

Best Year: 226/367, 2,842 Yards, 27 TDS 16 INT, 120 Carries, 737 Yards, 10 TDS

School: Tatum 2002-04

College: TCU 2005-08

NFL: Undrafted Cowboys 2009

Best Year: 81 Tackles, 10 for loss, 3 Sacks, 1 INT

School: Lufkin 1998-2001

College: Texas A&M 2002-05

NFL: 6th Round Bengals 2006

Best Year: 200/344 2,791 Yards, 14 TDS, 4 INT. 151 Carries, 718 Yards 8 TDS - 2004

School: Daingerfield 2008-10

College: Tulsa 2011-15

NFL: Undrafted Panthers 2016

Best Year: 96 Catches, 1,558 Yards 8 TDS - 2015 1st Team All American Conference

School: Tyler High 2008-10

College: TCU 2011-14

NFL: Undrafted Raiders 2015

Best Year: 75 Tackles, 2.5 for loss, 7 INT, 6 PBU - 2014 1st Team All Big-12

School: Arp 2015-17

College: Texas 2018-2022

NFL: 3rd Round Cowboys

Best Year: 96 Tackles, 10 for loss, 4 Sacks, 5 PBUs - 2022 1st Team All Big-12

School: Mount Pleasant 2011-13

College: Baylor 2014-16

NFL: Undrafted Cowboys 2017

Best Year: 87 Catches, 1,215 Yards, 13 TDS - 2016 First Team All Big-12

School: Lufkin 2017-19

College: Texas Tech 2020, Washington 2021-23

NFL: Projected 2-3rd Round Pick

Best Year: 69 Catches 1,159 Yards, 9 TDS, 4 Carries 32 Yards 1 TD - 2023 2nd Team All Pac-12

School: Longview 2002-04

College: Oklahoma 2005-07

NFL: 2nd Round Redskins 2008-09

Best Year: 62 Catches 993 Yards, 10 TDS - 2006 2nd Team All Big-12

School: Sulphur Springs 2002-04

College: Oklahoma 2005-09

NFL: Eagles 2010-11, Raiders 2012

Best Year: 84 Tackles, 10 for loss, 4.5 Sacks, 1 INT - 2008 

School: Lufkin 2002-04

College: Texas A&M 2005-08

NFL: Undrafted Dolphins 2012, Buccaneers 2014-15 

Best Year: 166 Carries 725 Yards, 19 TDS, 7 Catches 82 Yards - 2006

School: Daingerfield 2013-15

College: Baylor 2016-19

NFL: 2nd Round Jets 2020-22

Best Year: 66 Catches 1,020 Yards 12 TDS - 2019 1st Team All Big-12

School: Crockett 2006-08

College: SMU 2009-12

CFL: Calgary 2016-18 Hamilton 2019,2021 Toronto 2022, Hamilton 2023

Best Year: 54 Tackles, 13 Sacks, 3 FF - 2019

School: Mt. Enterprise 2017-19

College: TCU 2020-22

NFL: Saints 3rd Round

Best Year: 224 Carries 1,399 17 TDS 16 Catches 116 Yards 2022

School: Pleasant Grove 2018-20

College: Oklahoma State 2021-

Best Year: 140 Tackles, 16 for loss, 6 Sacks, 2 INT, 1 FF, 1 FR - 2023 First Team All Big-12

School: Canton 2003-05 Gilmer 2006

College: Texas 2007 Tulsa 2008-11

NFL: Undrafted Jets 2012, Eagles 2013-15 Giants 2015

Best Year: 275/460 3,650 Yards, 31 TDS 10 INT, 158 Carries 581 Yards 7 TDS - 2010 Conference Offensive Player of the Year

School: Spring Hill 2001-04

College: Texas Tech 2005-2008

Best Year: 2008 First Team All-American

School: Texas High 2003-06

College: Michigan 2007, Arkansas 2009-10

NFL: 3rd Round Patriots 2011-12, Texans 2014-15, Ravens 2015-17

Best Year: 266/411 3,869 Yards 32 TDS 12 INT 4 Rushing TDS - 2010 2nd Team All SEC

School: Liberty-Eylau 2005-07

College: Oregon 2008-11

NFL: 2nd Round 49ers 2012-14, Dolphins 2014-15

Best Year: 294 Carries 1,731 Yards 21 TDS, 17 Catches 208 Yards 3 TDS - 2010 3rd in Heisman

School: Longview 2011-13

College: TCU 2014-17

NFL: 7th Round Rams 2018-22, Bills 2023

Best Year: 130 Tackles, 4.5 for loss, 1.5 Sacks, 1 INT, 2 PBU, 2 FF - 2016 1st Team All Big-12

School: Tyler High 2000-02

College: Texas 2003-06

NFL: 2nd Round Broncos 2007-08 Buccaneers 2009-11 

Best Year: 43 Tackles, 2 for loss, 3.5 Sacks - 2009 Buccaneers

School: Lufkin 2012-14

College: Texas Tech 2015-17

NFL: 4th Round Texans 2018-20 Colts 2021-22

Best Year: 33 Catches 400 Yards 3 TDS - 2020 Texans

School: Tyler High 2004-06

College: Oklahoma State 2007-10

NFL: 4th Round 49ers 2011-13, Saints 2014

Best Year: 241 Carries 1,555 Yards, 16 TDS, 22 Catches 198 Yards, 1 TD - 2008 1st Team All-Big 12

School: Tyler High 2010-12

College: Houston 2013-16

NFL: Undrafted Eagles 2017-21

Best Year: 319/469 3,557 Yards 22 TDS 13 INT, 197 Carries 518 Yards, 10 TDS -

 2016 2nd Team AAC

Best Year: 53 Catches 419 Yards 6 TDS - 2020

School: Elkhart 2011-13

College: North Texas 2014-17

NFL: Undrafted 49ers 2018-22, Dolphins 22-23

Best Year: 176 Carries 860 Yards 5 TDS, 22 Catches 185 Yards 1 TD - 2022 49ers and Dolphins

School: Nacogdoches 2013-15

College: Texas 2016-19

NFL: 3rd Round Dolphins 2020-

Best Year: 79 Tackles, 6 for loss, 5 Sacks, 1 INT - 2021

School: Henderson 1999-2001

College: TCU 2002-05

NFL: 6th Round Jets 2006-10 Jaguars 2011

Best Year: 46 Tackles, 3 for loss, 2 INT

School: Tyler High 2010-12

College: Houston 2013-16

NFL: 2nd Round Ravens 2017-22

Best Year: 59 Tackles, 8 for loss, 7 Sacks - 2021 Ravens

School: Tyler High 1999-2000

College: Texas 2003-06 (Thorpe Award Winner)

NFL: 1st Round Giants 2007-2011, Jaguars 2012, Giants 2013

Best Year: 60 Tackles, 1 for loss, 4 INT, 12 PBU, 14 PR 99 Yards - 2011 NY Giants

School: Tyler Legacy 2001-03

College: Oklahoma State 2004-08

NFL: 1st Round Lions 2009-15

Best Year: 83 Catches 777 Yards, 5 TDS - 2011

School: Tatum 2004-06

College: Tennessee 2007-10

NFL: 5th Round Raiders 2011-2014, Bills 2015

Best Year: 51 Catches 714 Yards, 7 TDS - 2012 Oakland Raiders

School: Pittsburg 2005-07

College: Baylor 2008-11

NFL: 1st Round Titans 2012-16, Bears 2017

Best Year: 94 Catches, 1,079 Yards 2 TDS - 2013 Titans

School: Longview 2003-05

College: Washington State 2006-08, 2009 Tiffin

NFL: Undrafted Saints 2010-2012, Jets 2013-15, Jaguars 2016-17, Bills 2018

Best Year: 247 Carries, 1040 Yards 7 TDS, 30 Catches 217 Yards, 1 TD - 2015 Pro Bowl Season

School: Lufkin 2013-15

College: Texas A&M 2016-18

NFL: 2nd Round Saints 2019-22

Best Year: 2023 Pro Bowler Played 100% of Snaps (3rd Time 2019, 2020, 2023)

School: Lufkin 2004-06

College: Oklahoma State 2007-09

NFL: 1st Round Cowboys 2010-17, Ravens 2020

Best Year: 88 Catches 1,320 Yards, 16 TDS - 2014 First Team All-Pro

School: Longview 2003-05

College: Oklahoma 2006-09

NFL: 1st Round Redskins 2010-18, 49ers 2020-

Best Year: 2021 First Team All-Pro Played 100% of Snaps - 4 Time All-Pro

School: Palestine 2002-03

College: Oklahoma 2004-06

NFL: 1st Round Vikings 2007-16 Cardinals/Saints 2017 

Commanders 2018-19 Lions 2020 Titans/Seahawks 2021

Best Year: 348 Carries 2,097 Yards, 12 TDS, 40 Catches 217 Yards, 1 TD - 2012 First Team All-Pro

4x All-Pro

School: Whitehouse 2011-13

College: Texas Tech 2014-16

NFL: 1st Round: Chiefs 2017-

Best Year: 383/580 5,097 Yards 50 TDS 12 INT, 60 Carries 272 Yards, 2 TDS - 2018 Super Bowl Win (16 Games)

3x Super Bowl Champion

2X All-Pro