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 the private school ranks.

Mallory Hartley's Player to Watch

TE/LB Cooper Witten, Argyle Liberty Christian: When Witten steps foot on the field, whether as a tight end or a linebacker, he’s an absolute menace. He has the ability to completely take over games, especially on the defensive side. The Oklahoma commit racked up 87 tackles, nine TFLs, two sacks, four PBUs, seven forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries his junior year. 

Matt Stepp's Player to Watch

TE/LB Cooper Witten, Argyle Liberty Christian: He's the best non-UIL player in the state, bar none, and can take a game over. 

Greg Powers' Player to Watch

RB Wayne Shanks Jr., Houston Kinkaid: The DCTX three-star and Arizona commit is an unstoppable force at the private school level and has already led the Falcons to a SPC championship. If he runs it back, he deserves player of the year honors. 

Carter Yates' Player to Watch

QB Jack Devine, Austin Regents: Look for Jack to put up another Devine performance after throwing for 3,491 yards and 55 touchdowns along with 727 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground. The San Diego State commit is at the helm of one of the most prolific private schools in America: the Knights have played in 13 state championships in 25 seasons. With Devine calling the shots, we're calling our shot that Austin Regents plays in a 14th.

William Wilkerson's Player to Watch

QB Jack Devine, Austin Regents: The San Diego State commit threw for 3,491 yards and 55 touchdowns as a junior. His senior season is about to be a movie.

Greg Tepper's Player to Watch

DE Hunter Black, Bryan Brazos Christian: The TCU commit is perhaps the most feared edge rusher in all of private school ball, racking up 44 tackles, 13 sacks and 31 TFL as a junior despite obvious gameplans to counteract him. He’s a game-wrecker.