Powerhouse Texas Program Bringing out Best in 3-Star 2026 QB Angelo Renda

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

The game of football is challenging enough, and the classification of action notches up the competitiveness in multitudes. Add in the state, and a historical program, going under center for some programs is a difficult challenge before the ball is ever snapped. Wins and development are key at the high school level, and over at Southlake Carroll they are doing it as well as anyone else in the country. The Dragons are always one of the Lone Star State’s best, and the combination of factors is bringing out all the skills in 2026 gunslinger Angelo Renda.

The proving grounds of the 2024 season saw Renda (6-0, 180) slinging it for 3,901 yards with 40 touchdowns completing his attempts 71 percent of the time.

The extra dimension Renda brings to the gridiron is his wheels. Renda tucked the pigskin 95 times for 667 yards with 14 trips into the end zone.

“At the start of the year we were balanced with some power rushing and an air attack,” Renda said. “We had two running backs that went down with season ending injuries; we had to adjust. I did some of the rushing myself, but we also had to air it out more. We had great receivers; it was easy to do that.

“The young and older guys, everyone stepped up; they made it easier. Our offensive line was physical. With a third string running back, no one expected us to run the ball, but our coaches dialed up great schemes. We were able to run in the playoffs.

“Our throwing attack was going for 270 a game. Coach (Riley) Dodge, our head coach, is a very offensive minded guy. Knowing how far we went, that was awesome to see. We put in the work all week long. Our offense is high powered, as you can tell from the stats, that is what Southlake has been about for 20-30 years. We are keeping the legacy going.”

Seemingly every route in the playbook was an option keeping defenses guessing what was coming next.

“We run digs, glance routes, corners, outs, sit routes – a 12-yard stop, drags, mesh concepts, whips, swings, shoot routes, go balls, comebacks, corner-posts, post-corners; we have the whole thing, and screen passes,” Renda stated.

Having a QB trainer for some of the best in the game a few minutes away is making a big difference between the lines.

“I work with Jeff Christensen, he trains Pat Mahomes (Kansas City) and other NFL guys,” Renda shared. “I have been working with him for two years now. I ran into him one day, and I built a relationship with him. He has helped me tremendously. I am not where I am at now without him. I am throwing with him in about two hours. He moved here two years ago; he was out of Chicago. He’s 10 minutes away. We throw four or five times a week.”

Renda continued covering his offseason workouts, “I am trying to be more vocal, build my frame, and dive into defenses more. I am seeing the fronts and coverages, the pre- and post-snap reads, but there is always room to improve. I am working to put on more muscle and speed. My leadership role, there is more to improve. In college, I want to be the guy. I want my teammates to know I am the guy. I am working up to that.”

Jacksonville State, Pittsburgh, SMU, and UTSA believe Renda can be that guy for them. More power conference programs are scouting the 2026 prospect.

“TCU, Duke, Boston College, UNLV, and Oklahoma State are showing interest,” Renda stated.

A couple of game-day invites were utilized.

“I went to SMU,” Renda said. “I went to two of their games because they are so close. The atmosphere there was awesome. SMU is right next to my house; it is an easy drive up there. They won both games. They had a deep run this year. They are fun to watch. I went with my teammates.

“I went to TCU as well. I went to the Texas Tech game; my dad (Rudy) played (RB) at Texas Tech.”

Head coaches are sending staff members to Southlake Carroll to spend time with Renda.

“Cincinnati came by on Tuesday, South Florida was at school on Friday, UCLA was there on Thursday, Baylor was there last week and so was SMU,” Renda shared. “A lot of coaches have come by; those are the ones that have talked to me.”

On the in-school visit with UCLA, Renda stated, “Their receivers coach, Erik Frazier, is trying to get my receiver Brock Boyd; he wanted to talk to me as well.”

South Florida got to see Renda in action.

“USF’s QB coach Joel Gordon came to my school,” Renda said. “I did a throwing workout for him. It was awesome. I threw well. We talked some ball; I like him a lot. USF would be a cool school to play at.”

Renda will get out on the recruiting trail in the coming weeks.

“I am heading to Pitt pretty soon;. I know there will be more visits to come,” Renda shared. “I want to get out to Pitt. I haven’t checked them out yet.”

Asked about heading to see the Panthers, Renda replied, “They are one of the schools that have offered, I haven’t been there yet. My dad does a lot of work there, he says it is cool. My cousins wrestled at Pitt; I want to check it out.”

When doing his own personal review on college teams, Renda knows what scheme he wants to execute at the next level.

“I want a Spread offense that gives the quarterback the keys to the car, like what we do at my school,” Renda stated. “Where I can go backside or frontside depending on what the defense is giving me. I want to get to decide where I want to go with the ball.

“Some plays are designed for one side but overall, I want an offense based on my skillset. I want to use my speed a little bit, my arm, and my accuracy. I have been researching offenses; all the schools that have offered have great offenses. These programs fit my skillset. Wherever I do end up, it will probably be on how it fits my skillset.”

Pitt offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Kade Bell and special teams coordinator Jacob Bronowski stopped by Southlake Carroll on Tuesday to visit with Renda.

Photo credit: Renda family; Angelo Renda on a visit and with Pitt coaches Kade Bell and Jacob Bronowski.