Texas high school football state title games: Top 12 Westlake football players since 1995
With Westlake about to play North Crowley for the Class 6A Division I state championship Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington in hopes of capturing its fifth state title, the Chaps’ postseason run has evoked memories of the numerous talented players that have walked the halls at the campus in West Austin the last 30 years.
The program has sent an impressive number of players to Division I programs in that timespan, and it doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon. We here at the Austin American-Statesman give our top 12 players who have suited up for the Chaps since 1995.
More:Texas high school football state championship predictions: Our state title picks
Drew Brees, quarterback (1995-96)
Brees burst onto the football scene by compiling a 28-0-1 record in his two years as Westlake's starter and was the MVP of the Class 5A DII state championship game in 1996. That was the first of four state titles the Chaparrals have won. In college he set two NCAA records, 13 Big Ten records and 19 Purdue records and then enjoyed a 20-year NFL career with the Chargers and Saints. He led the league in passing yards a record seven times, and was voted MVP of Super Bowl XLIV after leading the Saints past the Colts. Brees still holds two NFL and 14 Saints passing records. He was a second-round pick of the 2001 NFL draft.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Braden Cassity, defensive lineman (2015-17)
Named the Class 6A defensive player of the year by the Associated Press in 2017, he had 106 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss and 10 sacks during the regular season before helping the Chaps to the fourth round of the playoffs. Played college football at Oklahoma State and spent some time last spring and summer with the San Diego Chargers after signing as an undrafted free agent.
Sam Ehlinger, quarterback (2014-16)
Voted the state's player of the year by the Associated Press Sports Editors in 2015, Ehlinger was a three-year starter for the Chaparrals. He passed for 7,491 yards, 89 touchdowns and also 36 rushing touchdowns at Westlake. He went on to start for Texas and his 27 career wins rank No. 4 in Longhorns history behind Colt McCoy, Vince Young and Major Applewhite. Drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 2021, he's in his fourth season in the NFL.
Nick Foles, quarterback (2004-06)
Foles faced Lake Travis just once during his three years on varsity, beating the Cavaliers 38-14 in a non-district game in September 2006. He played college football at Michigan State and Arizona but is best known for his NFL heroics. He was the MVP of Super Bowl LII after guiding the Philadelphia Eagles past Tom Brady's New England Patriots 41-33.
Jaden Greathouse, wide receiver (2019-2022)
The top-producing wideout in school history, Greathouse finished with 232 catches for 4,035 yards and 53 TDs while as a four-year starter while helping the Chaps to three straight state titles from 2019-2021. He was the MVP of the 2021 state championship game as he set the state record for receiving yards with 236. Currently playing for Notre Dame where he has helped them to a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Bryce Hager, linebacker (2007-09)
Hager helped Westlake to an appearance in the 2009 Class 5A Division I state championship game before going on to star at Baylor and play six seasons in the NFL. Was a three-time second-team all-Big 12 pick at Baylor and played for the St. Louis Rams, the Los Angeles Rams and the New York Jets, including in Super Bowl LIII for the Los Angeles Rams.
Cade Klubnik, quarterback (2019-2021)
Klubnik saw varsity snaps in three seasons and led the Chaps to their 2020 and 2021 state titles. The fourth quarterback on this list, he threw for 7,390 yards and 86 TDs in his prep career, which he went 27-0 as a starter over his junior and senior years. Was the Statesman’s all-Central Texas players of the year in 2021. A five-star recruit, he now plays for Clemson where he has been the ACC championship game MVP twice in three years. Has led the Tigers to the College Football Playoff and will return to Austin Saturday to play Texas.
Seth McKinney, offensive line (1995-96)
McKinney was part of Westlake's first state title team in 1996, a two-time all-state selection and eventually named by UIL to the state's all-century team. He was a four-year starter at Texas A&M, where he earned all-Big 12 and all-American honors. He was chosen in the second round of the 2002 NFL draft by Miami and had an eight-year pro career with the Dolphins, Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills.
Matt Nader, offensive line (2003-06)
A four-year starter before a heart condition ended his playing career, Nader was dominant in the trenches and earned a scholarship offer from Texas. He is now an advocate for free heart screenings and sells defibrillators and last year saved a man's life after a game.
Ryan Nunez, running back (1995)
Rushed for more than 2,000 yards in 1995 after nearly reaching 1,400 yards in 1994. Went on to play for Colorado and Texas.
Michael Taaffe, safety (2019-2020)
Taaffe helped the Chaparrals win two state championships, a big-game player who was named the defensive player of the game in both Class 6A title games, a 24-0 win over Denton Guyer in 2019 and a 52-34 win over Southlake Carroll in 2020. He walked on with the Texas Longhorns but was awarded a full scholarship at the end of the 2022 season and has developed into a key player for the Longhorns' secondary.
Justin Tucker, kicker (2005-07)
As a senior, Tucker earned an invitation to the 2008 U.S. Army All-American Bowl game and then enjoyed a memorable college career with the Texas Longhorns. In 2011 he kicked the last-second field goal to beat Texas A&M 27-25 in the schools' memorable final game against each other, and as a pro he is considered to be one of the greatest NFL kickers of all time. He owns the NFL record for the longest field goal ever — a 66-yarder against the Detroit Lions in 2021. The 2012 undrafted free agent has been a six-time Pro Bowler.