Biography
2025 (First-Year):
Did not make an appearance on the field... Named to the Fall 2025 Lone Star Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll.
Stratford (HS):
Houston Touchdown Club Player of the Year finalist... Houston Touchdown Club Preseason finalist... 2024 and 2025 Unanimous First-Team All-District... District 17-6A Offensive MVP... Two-year statistics: 6,923 total yards (5,490 passing/1,433 rushing), 87 total touchdowns (61 passing/26 rushing)... Broke Andrew Luck's single-season passing yards and single-season passing touchdown records... 2023 Academic All-District... Filling big shoes, QB Aaron DeLeon starring for Stratford: In succeeding one of the best quarterbacks to ever wear the green and white of Stratford High, junior Aaron DeLeon is authoring an impressive varsity debut. Nash Rankin, now playing at Hardin-Simmons University, threw for 5,483 yards and 58 touchdowns over the last two seasons at Stratford. Nash’s father, Stratford head coach Todd Rankin, and players who returned this season, understood the undertaking DeLeon would endure in his first varsity season this year. With the help and trust of coaches and teammates, DeLeon has done just fine introducing himself. In eight varsity games, the 6-foot-1, 175-pounder has completed 63.7 percent of his passes for 1,867 yards and 27 touchdowns to six interceptions, while rushing for 286 yards and six touchdowns on 41 carries. DeLeon is the leader of a diverse and explosive Spartans offense averaging 41.1 points on 378.1 yards per game. “I’ve always dreamed of playing varsity football ever since I was little, so this has been a big blessing,” DeLeon said after lighting up Cypress Ridge for 301 yards and five touchdowns in Saturday’s 53-7 win that booked a third consecutive playoff appearance for Stratford. “The whole team has helped me so much. They knew I had a big spot to fill and a lot on my shoulders.” DeLeon has quickly, and admirably, made these Spartans his own. “Aaron being able to come into that role and pick right up from what that senior group built, he’s one of those young guys for us who’s stepped into a senior’s spot and he’s just ran with it as he’s progressed week by week,” Todd Rankin said. DeLeon quarterbacked the junior varsity last year. Meanwhile, he paid attention to Nash Rankin and soaked in all he could. What DeLeon learned, first and foremost, was trust is non-negotiable. If he wanted his Spartans to pick up where Nash Rankin’s left off, which he so desired, then he’d have to trust and listen to those around him. “It’s a big spot,” DeLeon said. “You have to take charge of what you can do when you’re the quarterback. You have to trust the O-line in what they can do. You have to trust the coaches in what they put into you. You have to trust the receivers that they can go out and get that ball when the ball’s in the air.” Nash Rankin and DeLeon remain close. The two spent time by themselves in a deserted Pridgeon Stadium talking after Saturday’s win, catching up and discussing the game. “Early on, Aaron was a little big-eyed,” Todd Rankin said. “He’d just take it and run. Now you’re seeing him stay in the pocket and see defenses faster. He had a good go-ball where the safety was over the top, so he knew to put it more in the hole instead of just throwing to a spot. He’s starting to get to that really special level of being able to react fast.” Stratford is able to open its offense a little more than previous years because of DeLeon’s ability to run. He averages seven yards per carry. His 4.6 40-yard dash time makes him dangerous in the open field, and he is adept at sliding to avoid big hits. “If I can’t find a read, go run,” DeLeon said. “I’ve got the legs to do it. If it’s there, it’s there. If it’s not, I run and take it.” But DeLeon’s strengths come in what happens when he gets rid of the ball, not tuck it. His ball placement is exceptional. He hardly ever throws behind receivers. And while he’s not afraid to chuck up a ball to any one of a plethora of speedy pass-catchers, he does not do so recklessly. “He’s got a natural accuracy to him,” Todd Rankin said. “Even when he gets flushed out of the pocket, he can throw the ball where he needs to put it. And then the way he’s able to add in the runs with that quick decision-making … right now, he’s just really turned into that total package.” Aside from skill and ability, DeLeon’s management of games and vocal leadership, specifically in making sure teammates are in the right spots at all times, have accelerated his learning curve. “He’s really calm, especially for a quarterback new to varsity,” said senior receiver Luke Rives, who has a team-best 510 receiving yards with 10 touchdowns. “He’s really calm in the pocket, and he doesn’t panic. Even in warmups, he’s really loose. He’s not nonchalant, but he’s just really relaxed in his play. “He was a dog on JV, and in the summer, he was awesome, but he’s only gotten so much better. I’m excited to see where he goes. It’ll be fun.”
Personal:
Older brother, Conrad, played baseball at East Texas Baptist University (ETBU).
