Texas 5-star edge-rusher unfair as high school running back

Texas 5-star edge-rusher unfair as high school running back originally appeared on The Sporting News

Sierra Canyon (California) five-star edge-rusher Richard Wesley has a future with the Texas Longhorns on the defensive side of the ball.

Unfortunately for Sierra Canyon's opponents this season, he also lines up at running back on Friday nights.

And at 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, it hardly looks fair.

During its 63-0 win over a talented Oaks Christian (California) team, Wesley lined up in the backfield and rumbled his way for a 23-yard run in which he can be seen running away from defenders:

No, your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you. That’s 6-foot-5 defensive end Richard Wesley scoring a 23-yard rushing touchdown for Sierra Canyon pic.twitter.com/nL47wy2eH2

— Dan Lovi (@LoviSports) August 30, 2025

The play, while taking place in a blowout, still shows what an athletic specimen Wesley could be in Austin.

He is rated the nation's No. 13 overall prospect and No. 2 edge-rusher in the 247Sports composite rankings. 

Here's what 247Sports had to say about Wesley as a prospect:

"Wesley was a top five overall prospect in the ’27 class before re-classifying to the ’26 class. A very talented player and the best edge prospect to come out of California since at least Kayvon Thibodeaux from the class of 2019. Has actually been comped to Thibodeaux in terms of frame and play style but at the same stage in their development, might looks further along from a size, strength and toughness standpoint. Shows off natural pass rush ability and can dominate the run game as well. Flashes a quick get-off, uses his hands well and can bend, dip and explode off the corner. Strong at the point of attack and shows off a nice physical edge in his game. Loves the weight room and has the multi-sport background we like to see in an edge rusher as well. When you combine his size, natural athleticism, motor and work ethic, his ceiling is as high as any player out West."