The Built Ford Tough Player of the Year Award celebrates the top high school football athletes in Texas across classifications 6A through 2A and eligible private schools.
Each week during the season, one standout is named the Built Ford Tough Player of the Week, leading up to the prestigious Player of the Year honors in each classification.
The experts at Dave Campbell's share their players to watch for 6A.
Mallory Hartley's Player to Watch
ATH Dillon Mitchell, C.E. King: Mitchell is one of the fastest athletes in the entire country with offers from coast to coast; he will lead the way in CE King’s hunt to return to AT&T Stadium. His speed is electrifying, dominating as a receiver and in the return game.
Matt Stepp's Player to Watch
QB Carter Zingelmann, Coppell: In his second year in the system, the Coppell signal caller could be primed for a monster season as the Cowboys return a ton of talent from a team that's advanced to the third round of the playoffs in consecutive seasons.
Greg Powers' Player to Watch:
WR Trenton Yancey, Duncanville: The DCTX four-star and Purdue commit led the Panthers to the state title stage last season but fell in a close battle to Galena Park North Shore. Yancey racked up over 1,000 yards and 18 touchdowns, moving around the offense to create mismatches.
Carter Yates' Player to Watch:
S JayQuan Snell, Waxahachie: Dave Campbell's Texas Football Magazine shocked the state by picking Waxahachie as the preseason state championship pick in Class 6A DI. Those people haven't been paying attention to the powerhouse forming in far South Dallas. If Waxahachie wins it all, it'll be thanks in large part to Texas A&M commit JayQuan Snell. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound safety is the hardest hitter in the Class of 2027.
William Wilkerson's Player to Watch:
QB Ty Snell, Allen: The future is now for the class of 2029 star quarterback who made waves as a freshman.
Greg Tepper's Player to Watch:
QB Elvis Estrada, San Antonio Johnson: The most dynamic player in San Antonio? Perhaps. The Jaguars’ signal-caller lit it up as a junior and will be at the controls of one of Texas’ most exciting offenses in 2026.
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