Landon Williams Commits to Texas & District 11-5A D1 Preview with Dave Campbell's

The recruiting drama is over for one of the most closely watched prospects in the Houston area. Richmond Randle running back Landon Williams has verbally committed to the University of Texas, giving the Lions' star a clear runway to focus on what matters this fall — defending the District 11-5A Division One championship.

Williams, who graced the cover of Dave Campbell's Texas Football summer magazine, enters his senior season within striking distance of some all-time rushing records. How head coach Randall manages his workload will be one of the storylines to watch, particularly with Randle moving up to Division One and facing a more demanding schedule — including non-district matchups against Cy-Fair and Spring Westfield.

Matt Step of Dave Campbell's Texas Football joined the show to break down the district landscape. The consensus is that Randle remains the clear favorite, but the field is more competitive than in recent years. Alvin Colony, which went 24-4 over the past two seasons with all four losses coming against Randle, moves up to Division One as well. The Pioneers graduated a strong senior class and face a significant question at quarterback after Carson White transferred to Hightower, where his father was hired as offensive coordinator.

Step pegged Angleton as the team to watch for the second seed. The Wildcats were rolling heading into Week 10 last season before a rash of injuries — including to their quarterback and a key receiver — derailed their playoff run, ending in a first-round exit at 9-2. Return specialist Jammer James adds a dynamic element to their game that opposing special teams coordinators have learned to respect.

The battle for the fourth seed figures to come down to Friendswood and newcomer Katy Freeman. Friendswood brings back six starters on both sides of the ball and returns junior quarterback Josh Brister, who threw 24 touchdown passes last season. Running backs Tripp Bateman and Troy Moore combined for 1,600 rushing yards. Katy Freeman, playing in its first district season after years of non-district play, qualified for the state 7-on-7 tournament — beating Katy Tompkins in the process — and is drawing attention as a program on the rise, though youth and varsity inexperience remain open questions.