Junior Kaden Kopelin will lead The Woodlands Highlanders into their 50th season of football as the team's new starting quarterback, head coach Jim Rapp announced at the annual Meet the Players event at Weldon Willig Field on Monday, Aug. 17.

Kopelin replaces Jack Daulton, who signed with TCU as the No. 17-ranked dual-threat quarterback nationally per ESPN. The junior inherits an offense that returns five starters and several skill-position weapons, including experienced wide receivers and a proven running back.

Rapp also named Magnus Herndon and Colton Weddel as team captains for the 2026 season, according to Woodlands Online. Herndon, one of only three returning defensive starters, will anchor a unit that lost nearly its entire lineup to graduation. Weddel returns on the offensive side with an expanded role after lettering last season.

"I want to thank everybody for being here today," Rapp told the crowd at the event, as captured on the team's Instagram account.

The captains reflect the challenge ahead. The Woodlands went 9-3 last year and reached the area round before falling to Klein Collins, but the roster turned over significantly. Only 28 lettermen return, and the defense in particular is almost entirely new, according to Texas HS Football.

At the Meet the Players showcase, all three levels of the program ran the same 10 plays, giving families a look at how talent develops from freshman to JV to varsity. Rapp is now in his ninth season as head coach and athletic director with a 69-28 career record.

The Highlanders open the season at home against Bridgeland on Friday, Aug. 28. The Bears went 7-4 last season under fourth-year coach Lonnie Madison and bring back 33 lettermen, including seven returning offensive starters. Bridgeland will compete in UIL Region III for the first time in program history.

After the opener, The Woodlands hosts Klein Oak on Saturday, Sept. 5.