The reigning District 24-6A Champions will be one not to tangle with in 2022.
The Chargers went 31-2 overall a year ago and reached the Region III-6A Finals, falling to eventual Class 6A State Champion Deer Park. Clear Springs brings back eight starters as they seek a sixth-straight trip to the postseason in 2022.
LSU-commit Emma Strood will lead the group after being the District MVP, a TGCA All-State selection and NFCA All-American pick last year. Strood was 21-0 as a starter with a 0.52 ERA and 234 strikeouts. She also led the team in RBIs (31), doubles (10) and home runs (6).
Along with Strood, Anna Soles (Kansas-commit) will provide the other part of the one-two punch in the circle after going 8-0 with a 1.63 ERA.
Other players to take note of include Claire Pollack (UT Dallas), Grace Lee (Carnegie Mellon), Ashley Walker (UT Dallas), Emma King and Bailey Botier.
They keys to success for 10th-year coach Jennifer Knight (175-104) include pitching and “aggressive hitting and baserunning”.
The Chargers will lean on their “Iron Sharpens Iron” motto in 2022 and punch their ticket to state.
The 6-foot-5, 300-plus pound offensive lineman from Klein High School has had a whirlwind month, welcoming a new head coach, committing to the University of Texas, and earning a prestigious Under Armour All-American Gameinvite—all in the span of 30 days.
After the hiring of former Fulshear coach Nick Codutti, who brings a blue-collar toughness and renewed energy to the Bearkat football program, Robertson’s path to the next level became even clearer.
"Nic is an extremely hard-working kid who I think hasn't even tapped into his potential yet," coach Nick Codutti said. "He is going to be a force to be reckoned with his senior year, and even more so going into college at the University of Texas."
“Coach Codutti brings a whole new vibe,” Robertson said. “I’m excited to play for him. I know he’s going to help us raise the bar.”
Shortly after the coaching transition, Robertson made a massive decision—committing to play for the Texas Longhorns.
“I really like the coaching staff,” he said. “Look, I want to be a National Champion and win the Outland Trophy. I think I can do that at Texas.”
His inspiration? Another Houston-area standout—Kelvin Banks of Summer Creek—who won the Outland Trophy at Texas and is projected as a top NFL Draft pick.
“To see a Houston guy like him do it? That’s crazy. That’s my goal.”
Robertson is slated to take his official visit to Austin in June, with other visits planned for Houston and USC.
Adding to the big month, Robertson earned an invite to the 2025 Under Armour All-American Game, marking a full-circle moment.
“I got an invite to play in the middle school All-American game back in eighth grade,” he said. “It’s really overwhelming to get this invite for my senior year. I’m really happy to represent Klein ISD.”
Now, with recruiting buzz behind him, Robertson is focused on finishing strong at Klein and helping the Bearkats return to the postseason.
“I’ve grown a little more and will be working on my footwork and keeping my pad level low,” he said. “I want to show everyone that I can play anywhere on the line.”
With size, strength, and serious motivation, Nicolas Robertson is one of Texas’ top trench warriors—and he’s just getting started.
Planet Ford Stadium played host to some of the best football talent in the state as Under Armour and ESPN rolled into Houston for their annual Under Armour Next Camp this past weekend.
Elite players from the Houston area and beyond showcased their skills, competing for MVP honors and coveted invites to the Under Armour All-American Game or the Future 50 showcase.
From the trenches to the perimeter, here are the standout performers from Sunday’s loaded camp.
IN THE TRENCHES: OL / DL
Starting in the trenches, 2026 Pasadena Memorial’s Devan Robison dominated in one-on-one reps and walked away with OL MVP honors. Robison has official visits coming up with TCU, Texas Tech, Stanford, Houston, and Baylor.
Another headliner was 2027 Kingwood OL Kennedy Brown, who earned his Under Armour All-American Game invite, following last week's Navy All-American Game selection. Joining him was Texas-commit Nicolas Robertson (Klein), who also earned an All-American invite after a strong day.
Other top OL standouts:
Jamarios Canton (2028, Center)
Noah Abebe (2026, Friendswood)
Avery Morcho (2026, Ridge Point, 4-star)
Jordan Burnett (2026, Ridge Point, TCU-commit)
Eddie Lartigue (Klein Collins)
On the defensive side, 2026 Allen DL Joshua Shaw was a force and claimed DL MVP.
2027 Jalen Brewster (Cedar Hill) earned a Future 50 invite, capping off a strong camp season.
Other top DLs included:
Jarvis Spires (2026, Cy Springs)
Isaiah Broughton (2026, Cypress Ridge)
Jaylen Stewart (2026, Pearland, Oklahoma State-commit)
Kaden McCarty (2027, Cy Falls)
Xavier Muhammad (2027, South Houston)
Amari Vickerson (2027, Cy Ranch)
BACKFIELD TALENT: RB / LB
CJ Chizer Jr. (2028, Dekaney) stole the spotlight in the running back group, earning RB MVP. Though young, the explosive back already holds three offers.
Jonathan Hatton Jr. (2026, Cibolo Steele, Texas A&M-commit) added to his résumé with an Under Armour All-American Game invite, while Myson Johnson-Cook (2027, DeSoto) earned a Future 50 invite.
Other standout RBs:
John Hebert (2026, Strake Jesuit)
Nicholas Trimble II (2026, Aldine Davis)
Edward Kelly Jr. (2026, Klein)
Cardae Mack (2026, Atascocita)
Tanner West (2026, Katy Jordan)
Tristan Willis (2027, Shadow Creek)
Micah Rhodes (2028, Klein Oak)
At linebacker, Davon Smith (2027, Westfield) was flying around during drills and one-on-ones which earned him LB MVP honors. Smith is a player who's recruitment should see movement in the coming months with more strong performances at camps.
Other top LBs:
Kosi Okpala (2026, Mayde Creek)
Reilarean Phillips (2026, Elsik)
Caleb Mooring (2026, Vandegrift)
Malcolm Graham (2026, Fort Bend Travis)
Preston Hall (2026, Ridge Point)
Preston Pitts (2026, Clear Falls)
Jordin Jones (2027, Westfield)
Jeremiah Smith (2027, Westfield)
Brayden Bonik (2028, Ridge Point)
AIR ATTACK: QBs / WRs / DBs
Jack Daulton (2026, The Woodlands, TCU-commit) put on a clinic and took home the QB MVP after a solid showing, adding to a hot run that included a strong Elite 11 performance.
Other notable QBs:
Kaleb Maryland (2026, North Shore)
Kyden Barker (2026, Clear Falls)
Corey Dailey (2026, Seguin)
Brady Barrier (2026, Barbers Hill)
Grant Smith (2026, Grand Oaks)
Carson White (2027, Iowa Colony)
Tammeron Anderson (2027, West Brook)
Braden Baker (2027, Cy Ranch)
Julian Navarrette (2027, Boerne Champion)
Donovan Warren (2028, Episcopal)
At wide receiver, Robert Haynes IV (2026, Ridge Point) earned WR MVP honors and is quickly rising in the rankings.
Jordan Clay (2026, Madison) lived up to his four-star billing, earning an All-American Game invite after a strong showing.
Other standout WRs:
James Scott (2026, Oak Ridge)
Juwaan Woodbury (2026, Galveston Ball)
Ty Sexton (2026, Bridgeland)
Mike Brown (2026, Legacy School of Sports, Texas A&M-commit)
Trey Giametta (2027, Fulshear TE)
Aden Starling (2027, Shadow Creek, Houston-commit)
Alvin Mosley (2027, Crawford)
In the secondary, Brandon Sherrad (2027, Shadow Creek) earned DB MVP, showing major upside for the Sharks.
Chace Calicut (2026, North Shore) impressed and left with an All-American Game invite, following a recent Texas visit.
Other DB standouts:
Isaiah McMillian (2026, Katy)
Zachary Taylor (2026, Katy Jordan)
Kingston Richard (2026, Summer Creek)
Caden Ward (2026, La Marque)
Kyle Sam (2027, Cy Falls)
Greedy James (2027, Manvel)
Mikhail McCreary (2027, Johnson)
Terrell Stinson (2028, Clear Lake)
Houston brought the heat, and the future of football in Texas looks bright with this group of elite prospects.
🎥 Don’t forget to check out the VYPE Recruiting Show for full analysis, breakdowns, and interviews from the camp!
TARA ARCHIBALD HAS ALWAYS BEEN AROUND A SOFTBALL FIELD.
She tagged along to practices and games, watching her sister Rebecca play, before she was old enough to pick up the sport.
“I’ve definitely followed in her footsteps,” she said. “She is three years older but I would practice with her and sometimes play on her teams. It’s always been a competition between us. I would always want to out-do her.”
Rebecca also starred at Lee High and now plays at the University of St. Thomas. Tara will play at Southwestern University after graduating in May.
“I’m so thankful that I’m able to play in college,” Tara said. “It’s what I love. It sounds weird, but softball is my escape. It just quiets my mind.”
The Lee catcher is the quarterback of the Ganders….the voice, the enforcer, the leader.
“I’m not really friendly between the lines,” she laughed. “I love plays at the plate and throwing people out. I like to be physical out there and I have a pretty good trash-talking game.”
When she’s not dominating on the diamond, Archibald can be found volunteering for the youth at her church or studying. The National Honor Society officer is in the Top 10 academically of her senior class.
“I’m a math and science person,” she said. “I could see myself as an environmental scientist or something. I always want to be around the game, though. Maybe I’ll coach a Select team when I get older. I do like kids.”
While she seems to have the game of life on a string, she goes back to ol’ faithful when she needs a pick-me up.
“She tries to keep it on the down low, but my sister is my ultimate hype girl,” she said. “When I get down, she’s always there to remind me to keep my head up. She is my inspiration.”
