Washington vs. Michigan: 12 former Texas high school football stars in CFP national championship
The CFP national championship is here as the Washington Huskies play the Michigan Wolverines on Monday at 6:30 (Central time) in Houston, and perhaps no college football playoff would be fit without Texas high school football connections.
Ann Arbor and Seattle are several states away from Texas, respectively, but it's no surprise the impact of Texas high school football products reach such powerhouse programs.
From Lufkin, to Houston Lamar, to DeSoto, here is a list of every former Texas high school football team represented and every player from Texas rostered in the NCAA National Championship football game on Monday:
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WASHINGTON HUSKIES (14-0)
Jaivion Green, cornerback, soph.
Jaivion Green (22) reacts following a pass defense during the fourth quarter of a win over Stanford at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium in 2022.
Joe Nicholson, USA TODAY Sports
High school: Houston Lamar; Jersey number: 22
In his second season at UW, Green has recorded nine solo tackles and a pass deflection across appearances in all 14 games. He was a first team all-District 18-6A corner and helped Lamar win a district title as a senior.
Jabbar Muhammad, cornerback, jr.
Photo by Sara Diggins, American-Statesman, USA TODAY NETWORK
High school: DeSoto; Jersey number: 1
Transferred after three seasons at Oklahoma State, where he earned all-Big 12 honorable mention selection in 2022, and plugged right into the secondary at UW. He has 44 tackles, a fumble recovery and a team-high three interceptions on the season. At DeSoto, he was an all-District 7-6A pick in 2018 as a junior (32 tackles, five picks) and comes from a family filled with college football players.
Ja'Lynn Polk, wide receiver, soph.
Photo by John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports
High school: Lufkin; Jersey number: 1
One of the Huskies' top options in a universally lauded receiving corps, Polk has 1,122 yards on 17.3 yards per catch and nine touchdowns on the season. Latest in a long line of Lufkin High School stars. Was second all-time in school history in receptions and receiving yards and third in touchdowns. Was the District 8-5A offensive MVP.
Will Nixon, running back/receiver, soph.
Photo by Kirby Lee, USA Today Sports
High school: Waco Midway; Jersey number: 8
Nixon has tallied 31 carries for 194 rushing yards ont he season, his first two games of the year each with season-high six rushes. Compiled 2,087 yards and 29 touchdowns from scrimmage at Midway as a senior. Son of Jeff Nixon, running backs coach for the Carolina Panthers.
Diesel Gordon, safety, fr.
High school: Arlington Seguin; Jersey number: 27
UW coaches named him defensive scout team player of the week ahead of Washington's wins over USC and Utah. He hasn't seen the field. At Seguin, he was a standout first team all-district safety and second team all district wide receiver.
Anthony James, edge rusher, fr.
High school: Wylie East; Jersey number: 47
The Lavon, Texas native us a redshirt freshman and hasn't seen the field yet. In high school, he was an Army All-American Bowl invite and two-time second team all-district honors at defensive end, pacing Wylie East to a 9-2 record and district title.
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MICHIGAN WOLVERINES (14-0)
Alex Orji, quarterback, soph.
Michigan quarterback Alex Orji runs against Ohio State safety Josh Proctor during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Nov. 25.
Photo by Junfu Han, USA TODAY NETWORK
High school: Sachse; Jersey number: 10
The prototypical QB size — 6-foot-3, 236 pounds —saw the most action as a freshman, when he ran in two touchdowns in three appearances. At Sachse, he led the team to the UIL Class 6A playoffs with 124-for-247 attempts completes for 2,064 passing yards, 28 TDs (eight picks) and 24 more rushing TDs.
Tavierre Dunlap, running back, jr.
Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
High school: Del Valle; Jersey number: 22
His contributions for the Wolverines this season have been at running back and special teams. He was a two-sport standout at Del Valle and two-time 1,000-yard rusher and was a three-star prospect.
German Green, defensive back, grad
Photo by Raj Mehta, USA TODAY Sports
High school: DeSoto; Jersey number: 33
A crucial part of DeSoto's 2016 UIL Class 6A Division II state championship, Green is a 6-foot-2, 190-pound defensive back and Academic All-Big Ten pick who has had spot contributions throughout the season at defensive back and in special teams.
LaDarius Henderson, offensive line, grad
Photo by Barbara J. Perenic / Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
High school: Waxahachie; Jersey number: 73
Arizona State graduate transfer, captained the Sun Devils in 2022 and started at left tackle throughout the season. The 6-foot-4, 315-pound Henderson was a first team all Big Ten selection.
Ike Iwunnah, defensive line, jr.
Photo by Robert Goddin, USA Today Sports
High school: Lakeview Centennial; Jersey number: 92
The 6-foot-3, 313-pound defensive lineman hasn't seen meaningful time yet, but the two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree has a lot to offer the Wolverines. He was named scout team defensive player of the week earlier this season.
Enow Etta, edge rusher, fr.
Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK
High school: Keller; Jersey number: 96
Has made several appearances as a freshman this season. Led Covenant Academy to a TAPPS state title in 202, his sophomore year. As a senior he amassed 34 tackles for loss and 20 sacks, causing havoc in backfields. Four-star recruit.
-- Andy Buhler | andy@scorebooklive.com | @sblivetx
