09/09/2026
Then & Now: Rising Stars
Javin Cash
Javin Cash is another example of how the Texas Panhandle continues to produce student-athletes capable of making an impact at the collegiate level. His football journey began in TTYSL, where he developed not only his love for the game but also the competitive mindset that would follow him throughout his career.
During his time in TTYSL, Javin was a defensive monster. While most young players wanted the ball in their hands so they could score touchdowns, Javin had a different goal — he wanted to tackle someone.
His father, Ricky Cash, remembers those early days well. A former West Texas A&M football player himself and one of Javin’s TTYSL coaches, Ricky saw firsthand the competitive edge that would eventually carry his son to the collegiate level.
“When most boys wanted to score a touchdown, Javin just wanted to tackle someone.”
For Javin, TTYSL was about much more than football. It was where he learned how to compete, became comfortable being coached and began developing the discipline and work ethic that would eventually help him succeed at Canyon High School and West Texas A&M.
That foundation continued to develop at Canyon High School, where Cash became an All-State linebacker under head coach Todd Winfrey. Playing all over the field for the Eagles, he recorded an impressive 186 total tackles during his senior season, earning District 3-4A Defensive Player of the Year and Team MVP honors. He also excelled on the baseball diamond, earning All-District recognition as an outfielder.
For Cash, the decision to remain close to home and continue his football career at West Texas A&M was about more than simply choosing a college. It meant continuing to represent the community that had helped shape him from his earliest days in youth football through his time at Canyon High School.
Cash continued his development at West Texas A&M University, redshirting during the 2023 season before seeing action in three games. In 2024, he appeared in six games and recorded 11 total tackles, including a season-high four tackles against UT Permian Basin.
The 2025 season marked a significant step forward for Cash. Starting in all 11 games for the Buffaloes, he finished the season with 52 total tackles, 24 solo tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss. He recorded a season-best eight tackles against Eastern New Mexico in the Wagon Wheel Game and registered at least one tackle for loss in five different contests.
Cash was also part of a WT defense that ranked 32nd nationally in tackles for loss at 6.8 per game and 41st nationally in sacks at 2.42 per game.
From TTYSL, to Canyon High School, to West Texas A&M, Javin Cash's journey represents what youth sports can mean to a young athlete. The jersey may change as the years go by, but the foundation built at a young age can stay with an athlete for a lifetime.
“TTYSL played a huge part in who I became as a football player. It gave me the opportunity to play the game at a young age, learn the fundamentals and, most importantly, learn how to compete. I had coaches and teammates there who helped me understand that football was about more than just scoring touchdowns. It was about being a good teammate, listening to your coaches, working hard and doing whatever your team needed you to do.”
For Javin, that foundation started in TTYSL — right here in the 806.
