The 2023 Tax Act Texas Bowl kicks off Wednesday at 8 pm at NRG Stadium on ESPN as Texas A&M faces off against No. 20 Oklahoma State.
The game has an old Southwest Conference feel as dozens of Texas High School stars will headline the end of year contest for the pair of programs.
Leading up to the game, Texas A&M has been in the headlines as Duke coach Mike Elko has taken over the Aggie program. Elijah Robinson will serve as the interim coach for Texas A&M, before taking his new defensive coordinator job at Syracuse University.
The portal has also been a huge storyline leading up to the game. The Aggies have had 18 players from this season’s roster enter the portal since September. Oklahoma State has eight athletes in the portal to date.
One of the most tenured coaches in college football is Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy, who enters his 19th bowl game. Gundy has been a constant for the Cowboys having also played QB for the Pokes.
The state of Texas will be well represented in the game.
The most prolific is Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gordon III from Euless Trinity High School. The sophomore rushed for over 1,600 yards and 20 touchdowns and won the Doak Walker Award – given to the top RB in college football. QB Alan Bowman of Grapevine High, threw for over 3,000 yards and 15 scores.
Katy’s Cole Birmingham, Austin Kawecki of Frisco Lebanon Trail and Argyle’s Preston Wilson anchor the OL, while SA Roosevelt’s Rashod Owens was the team’s leading WR.
On defense, DBs Cam Smith (Braswell High) and Korie Black (Waco Connally) patrol the secondary, while Kody Walterscheid of Muenster and Nickolas Martin of Pleasant Grove anchors the front seven.
For the Aggies, Noah Thomas of Clear Springs will be heavily featured with the departures, while Rueben Owens of El Campo could have a break-out bowl game as a freshman. Katy Taylor’s Bryce Foster and Max Wright start up front at OL and TE. Layden Robinson of Manvel also stars on the OL. Brothers Dametrious Crownover and Earnest Crownover of Grandview High will also have their names called on the broadcast.
The defense is loaded with Texans. Albert Regis of LaPorte High and DJ Hicks of Paetow will lead the way up front. Shemar Turner of DeSoto and Katy’s Malick Sylla come off the edge. Taurean York of Temple had a massive season as a freshman this season. The secondary is led by Jayvon Thomas of South Oak Cliff, Bryce Anderson of Beaumont Westbrook and Shiner’s Dalton Brooks. The Woodlands’ Martrell Harris could get some snaps.
Stay tuned as some of Texas' finest show out Wednesday night back in the Lone Star State.