S. Johnson / Snapped Dragons
For decades, Carroll football has built one of the most recognizable traditions in Texas high school athletics — a legacy defined by championships, unforgettable moments, and generations of players who helped establish the Dragon standard.
To celebrate 20 years of Southlake Style’s Dragon Pride football coverage, we’re counting down the Top 20 Dragons Football Players of the Dragon Pride Era — honoring the athletes who left their mark on the program from 2006 to today. From state champions and record-setters to future college and professional stars, these players represent the talent, toughness, and team-first mentality that have made Carroll football special for generations.
A quick note on the list: The Dragon Pride Era begins with the launch of Southlake Style’s football coverage in 2006. That means some incredible players from before that time are not included — not because they weren’t great Dragons, but because they fall outside the timeline of this celebration.
We’ll reveal five new players every week leading up to Carroll’s 2026 season opener against Jenks on Aug. 27 at the Cotton Bowl. During the final week, we’ll unveil the Top 5 one player per day, with the No. 1 Dragon being revealed on Friday before the game.
And now we want to hear from Dragon Nation: Who made your list? Who did we miss? Which players do you remember watching on Friday nights? Who deserves more recognition?
Join the conversation as we celebrate 20 years of Dragon Pride. The countdown begins now.
Long before his younger brother Brock rewrote the Carroll receiving record book, Brady Boyd established himself as one of the Dragons' all-time great pass catchers. A reliable target with big-play ability, Boyd finished his career with 2,626 receiving yards, ranking among the most productive receivers in program history. He begin his college career at Minnesota before playing at Texas Tech and Utah State. He's currently in camp with the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars.
Football excellence runs deep in the Newton family. The younger brother of Dragon legend Tre' Newton and son of Cowboys great Nate Newton, King Newton carved out his own legacy as one of Carroll's most disruptive defensive linemen. Newton finished his career with 169 tackles and eight sacks, earning honorable mention all-state honors.
Robert Barnes brought a rare combination of size, speed, and physicality to the Dragons' secondary. A five-star recruit and one of the nation's top defensive backs in the Class of 2017, Barnes helped lead Carroll to three straight district championships while earning first-team all-state honors as a senior. He started his college career at Oklahoma before transferring to Colorado.
Carson Green was the cornerstone of Carroll's offensive line during one of the program's most successful stretches. A dominant blocker with a relentless work ethic, Green earned first-team all-state honors as a senior and helped pave the way for one of the state's most explosive offenses. He was All-SEC for Texas A&M and played in the NFL with the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans.
There wasn’t much Lil’Jordan Humphrey couldn’t do with a football in his hands. A versatile playmaker who lined up at running back, receiver, and all over the field, Humphrey finished his Dragon career with more than 4,200 total yards and 54 total touchdowns. Humphrey continued his career at the University of Texas before signing with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He went on to spend multiple seasons in the NFL, also playing for the Denver Broncos and New York Giants.