We are ranking the top 10 All-Time Best NFL Defensive Players from Texas high school football. The list is based solely on the players’ NFL careers, not their high school performances.
Our #9 pick is John Randle from Hearne High School. Our #10 pick was Myles Garrett. Our picks for #9 and #10 were very close, with Earl Thomas also being considered. Randle and Thomas are both Hall of Fame members, and both have 7 Pro Bowl selections, but Randle has 6 1st-Team All-Pro compared to the 3 by Thomas and 4 by Myles Garrett. So, Randle got the nod at #9, though we expect Garrett to pass him in the future.
John Randle: The Relentless Undrafted Defensive Tackle
John Randle holds the 10th spot on our list, a testament to his remarkable NFL career that defied early expectations.Despite going undrafted, Randle’s relentless drive and exceptional talent led him to become one of the most formidable defensive tackles in NFL history.
Early Life and High School Career
Born on December 12, 1967, in Mumford, Texas, Randle attended Hearne High School in Hearne, Texas. There, he began to showcase his athletic prowess, playing both offensive and defensive line positions. His high school career laid the foundation for his future success, demonstrating early signs of the tenacity and skill that would define his professional journey.
College Career at Texas A&I University
After high school, Randle played college football at Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M-Kingsville). During his tenure, he earned first-team All-America honors in 1988 and was twice named the Lone Star Conference’s Lineman of the Year. Randle’s dominant performance helped lead the Javelinas to back-to-back conference championships and two trips to the NCAA Division II playoffs.
NFL Career with the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks
Despite his impressive college career, Randle went undrafted in 1990, primarily due to concerns about his size for the defensive tackle position. However, he signed as a free agent with the Minnesota Vikings, where he quickly made an impact. Randle led or tied for the team lead in sacks nine times during his 11 seasons with the Vikings and had 10 or more sacks in eight straight seasons from 1993 to 2000.
In 2001, Randle joined the Seattle Seahawks, continuing his high level of play. Over his 14-season career, he amassed 137.5 sacks, ranking as the most by a defensive tackle at the time of his retirement. Randle was selected to seven Pro Bowls (1993–1998, 2001) and earned six first-team All-Pro honors (1993–1998). He was also named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s.
Legacy and Hall of Fame Inductions
Randle’s exceptional career earned him induction into several halls of fame. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010. Additionally, he is a member of the Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor, solidifying his legacy as one of the franchise’s all-time greats.
John Randle’s journey from undrafted free agent to Hall of Famer exemplifies determination and excellence, making him a standout figure among NFL defensive players hailing from Texas high schools.
