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 3A.
Mallory Hartley's Player to Watch
RB Kendray “KJ” Porter Jr., Newton: Porter has solidified himself as a top running back in all of Class 3A, rushing for over 2,000 yards and 29 touchdowns as a junior. The Houston Cougars commit will be instrumental in the Eagles’ quest to make it back to AT&T Stadium.
Matt Stepp's Player to Watch
RB/LB Brett Wells, Troup: One of the top two-way players in East Texas, Wells gets it done on both sides of the ball for a Troup squad that hopes to be a state title contender.
Greg Powers' Player to Watch
QB Kavian Bryant, Palestine Westwood: The state’s top-ranked quarterback and Texas Tech commit is a proven winner and a stat-producing monster. Bryant threw for 3,407 yards and 37 touchdowns while adding 740 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground, earning District 9-3A Division I Offensive MVP Honors.
William Wilkerson's Player to Watch
QB Kavian Bryant, Palestine Westwood: The No. 1-ranked quarterback in 2027 lives up the hype and then some.
Carter Yates' Player to Watch
ATH Kobe Haynes, Whitney: Haynes is arguably the most versatile player in Texas. As a junior, the 6-foot-1, 200-pound athlete had 1,500 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns, 1,500 passing yards and 15 touchdowns, and even caught 40 passes for 700 yards and seven touchdowns. Coming off a 10-3 season and with 11 returning starters, Whitney has the experience – and the star – for a deep run.
Greg Tepper's Player to Watch
WR Amare Jones, East Bernard: The dynamo behind one of the teams of the year last season, Jones exploded for 70 catches for 1,128 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior last season, and the best is yet to come. Expect him to get the ball in a variety of creative ways.
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