Dave Campbell's Texas Football and Your Texas Ford Dealers are proud to announce Willis High School athlete Jermaine Bishop as the recipient of the 2025 Built Ford Tough Mr. Texas Football Award.

Chosen from the 2025 Built Ford Tough Players of the Year, Bishop, who has signed with the Texas Longhorns, now cements his place among Texas high school football's all-time greats with DCTX's most prestigious honor, presented by Your Texas Ford Dealers.

A two-way standout and one of the most electrifying returners in the country, Bishop recorded 120 receptions for 1,940 yards and 20 touchdowns while rushing 45 times for 424 yards and eight scores. He also had 86 tackles and four interceptions for the Wildkats, who went 11-3.

Bishop put together one of the best single-game performances in Texas high school football history in the 6A Division II Regional Semifinals against Forney, hauling in 15 receptions for 328 yards and three TDs while adding a rushing touchdown, completing 2-of-3 passes for 42 yards, and then pinning Forney on their own 14 with 17 seconds left with a 39-yard punt before ending the game with an interception in a 38-32 victory.

Bishop is rated as a DCTX five-star and the No. 2 recruit in the state for the Class of 2026. He's the second player from Willis to win the award, joining QB DJ Lagway, who recently transferred from Florida to Baylor.

Other former winners of the award include 2018 Heisman Trophy winner and current Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray (2013-2014, Allen), 2012 Heisman Trophy winner QB Johnny Manziel (2010, Kerrville Tivy), former Texas Longhorns RB Johnathan Gray (2011, Aledo), former Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Jacquizz Rodgers (2007, Lamar Consolidated), former Ole Miss Rebels QB Spencer Sanders (2017, Denton Ryan) and former Dallas Cowboys QB Garrett Gilbert (2008, Lake Travis).

Ford celebrated the 20th anniversary of the prestigious Built Ford Tough Player of the Week and Player of the Year Awards, one of the most respected and enduring honors in Texas high school sports. For two decades, the program has recognized student-athletes who exemplify elite performance on the field, leadership within their programs, and a commitment to excellence in their communities.

Throughout the 2025 regular season, fans, coaches, and media across the state were invited to nominate standout athletes at FordPlayeroftheWeek.com, continuing a tradition that has spotlighted the best of Texas high school football week after week.

To commemorate the milestone season, Ford partnered with Texas’ most iconic high school sports media brand, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, to celebrate the legacy of the award and elevate its storytelling. Each Thursday night at 10:30 p.m., Dave Campbell’s produced the Built Ford Tough Player of the Week Show on Texan Live, alongside expanded coverage across Dave Campbell’s digital and social platforms—bringing highlights, features, and behind-the-scenes stories directly to fans statewide.

The season-long celebration extended across Dave Campbell’s statewide media network and into UIL postseason broadcasts, with special recognition of the program’s top athletes leading into the Built Ford Tough Player of the Year Banquet in January.

2025 Built Ford Tough Player of the Year Winners

6A: Jermaine Bishop — Willis, ATH

5A: Landen Williams-Callis — Richmond Randle, RB

4A: Bowe Bentley — Celina, QB

3A: Jett Taylor — Grand Saline, QB

2A: Kaegan Ash — Mount Enterprise, RB

PVT: Keisean Henderson — Legacy School of Sport Science, QB

Following the announcement of the Built Ford Tough Players of the Year, one finalist was chosen to receive the Built Ford Tough Mr. Texas Football Award - Dave Campbell's most prestigious honor.