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 4A.
Mallory Hartley's Player to Watch
QB Trot Jordan, Stephenville: The Yellow Jackets went 16-0 last season, winning the 2025 4A DI State Championship, and Jordan was the signal caller who led the way, taking home Offensive MVP honors. He threw for 3,241 yards and 45 touchdowns as a junior and returns for his senior season as the Class 4A Preseason Offensive Player of the year.
Matt Stepp's Player to Watch
QB Jamari Milton, El Paso Andress: After leading the Eagles to the area playoffs in 5A a year ago with 32 total touchdowns, Milton's senior season should be one to watch in the Sun City.
Greg Powers' Player to Watch
RB Khelvy Jefferson, West Orange-Stark: The DCTX 4A cover boy led WO-S to AT&T Stadium last year and has become one of the most exciting players to watch in Texas. Despite his 5-foot-3 frame, he is exceptionally strong, which keeps him on the field. His burst and toughness between the tackles allow him to gash defenses for big plays.
William Wilkerson's Player to Watch
RB Khelvey Jefferson, West Orange-Stark: The 5-foot-3, 170-pound dynamo once again leads WOS deep into the playoffs and another shot at a state championship. You know he's getting the ball but still can't stop him.
Carter Yates' Player to Watch
OT/DT Ismael Camara, Gilmer: I understand linemen aren't the flashiest position, and therefore it's harder for them to win Player of the Week. But few linemen are as dominant as the French Freak. Camara might've grown up in France playing nine-man football, but he compiled a Texas-sized stack of 170 pancakes in his first year of UIL 11-man varsity football. The 6-foot-6, 345-pound Texas Longhorns commit has one more season dominating in the Gilmer Buckeye orange before donning the burnt orange.
Greg Tepper's Player to Watch
QB KJ Jenkins, Alvarado: Sometimes numbers don’t do a guy justice, and sometimes they do. The numbers are all you need to know about KJ Jenkins — 3,864 yards and 51 touchdowns passing against just four interceptions — but if you dig a little deeper (like his size — 6-4, 225 — or his leadership), you start to realize just how special this guy is.
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