Meet the Texas high schooler who rushed for 1,628 yards in the state playoffs
SaRod Baker, a three-star prospect in the Class of 2027, averaged 271.3 yards in six postseason games for DeSoto (Texas) High.
Claude Mathis issued a challenge to his players at DeSoto (Texas) High before the Eagles began their playoff run last month.
“We asked everybody to take their game up to a whole different level,” the coach said.
No one heard that message more clearly than his running back, Class of 2027 prospect SaRod Baker.
“Some of the things he did and some of the plays (he made) when the defense really had him … the only thing you can say is, ‘Wow,’” Mathis said. “I’m like, ‘How the heck did he get out of that?’”
In what will go down as one of the greatest postseason performances in Texas high school history, Baker dazzled with 1,628 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns over six games while leading DeSoto to its third state title in the past four years. That’s an average of 271.3 yards per game against some of the state’s top competition, and his performance caught the attention of some of the top programs in the nation. Baker, ranked No. 819 nationally (for now) in the 247Sports Composite, earned offers from Ohio State, Colorado, Oregon and Texas immediately after the playoffs.
He was quick to credit his teammates.
“How I did it was because of my O-line,” Baker said. “They work so hard in practice. … (Coaches) always stay on them about staying on their blocks and blocking to the whistle, being physical, and I just was patient and let my linemen do all the work and I just made a couple guys miss.”
Hat trick already for DeSoto ‘27 RB SaRod Baker (@SaRodBaker12) with a 71-yard touchdown run!
🎙️ @GavinMoritz @Carter_Yates16 @GPowersScout
WATCH LIVE: https://t.co/ZhDeadDFim pic.twitter.com/ROmPigc1cE
— Dave Campbell's — TexasFootball.com (@dctf) December 6, 2025
SaRod Baker breaks free on a 53-yard touchdown, his 45th rushing score of the season and 21st of the postseason 🔥 @SaRodBaker12 @FootballDesoto
(via @dctf) pic.twitter.com/LQGD5u7XYY
— MaxPreps (@MaxPreps) December 21, 2025
Baker, who also picked up a Texas Tech offer last month, said he didn’t realize how impressive his numbers actually were until the Eagles put the finishing touches on the title with a 57-44 come-from-behind win over Southlake Carroll.