In Week 5 of the Texas high school football season, Nick Townsend, the nation’s third-ranked tight end, raced for four touchdowns and threw for five as he led Dekaney to a rout of Aldine. / Instagram: @thee5starrrnick Dekaney High School (Texas) 4-star tight end visits Texas Longhorns football
Early in the 2024 Texas high school football season, a 4-star tight end commit to the Texas Longhorns is drawing attention under center.
For his senior year, Nick Townsend has been forced to play quarterback for Houston Dekaney High School, which has provided a rare look at the 6-foot-3, 210-pound tight end/edge rusher’s diverse range of abilities.
In Saturday’s 55-0 road thumping of Aldine, he raced for four touchdowns and threw for a fifth to give Dekaney (1-3) its first victory of the year.
Townsend is a very versatile, big-bodied athlete who is ranked by 247 Sports as the third-best tight end in the country and the 20th-best prospect in Texas overall. He is also a highly sought-after member of the Longhorns’ 2025 class, which is in the top 5 in the country.
In high school, it’s not unusual for top athletes to play out of position. Townsend is an excellent illustration.
The fact that Dekaney maintained a 27-0 lead in the third quarter was possibly his most eye-catching moment.
A 13-yard touchdown run came after he took a shotgun snap, rolled to the left, beat the defensive end around the edge, hurdled another defender, split two more, and beat another down the sideline.
After a stellar junior high season, Townsend, one of Texas’ best tight ends, committed to Texas in June over Alabama and Texas A&M.
As an edge rusher for Dekaney in 2023, he recorded 52 solo tackles, eight sacks, and three fumble recoveries in addition to catching 18 catches for 431 yards and seven touchdowns at tight end.
The NFHS Network has a complete replay of Townsend’s outstanding day. Dekaney will return to action on Friday at 7 p.m. at home against Westfield.
