Every Class 4A Preseason District MVP in the 2026 Magazine

1-4A DI

Offensive MVP: Rodrigo Martinez, El Paso Ysleta

Martinez is the reigning District MVP after throwing for 2,317 yards with an astounding 33:1 TD/INT ratio. He's also a true dual threat with 662 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns.

Defensive MVP: Elijah Cooper, El Paso Andress DB

Cooper, the younger brother of former Arizona safety Tristan Cooper and current Penn State safety Jeremiah Cooper, is a four-year starter and reigning First Team All-District performer.

2-4A DI

Offensive MVP: Slade Russell, Canyon West Plains RB

Russell is a three-year starter and returning All-State running back who rushed for 2,002 yards and 24 touchdowns for the 12-2 Wolves.

Defensive MVP: Kelton Dill, Dumas LB

Dill led the defense in tackles as a junior with 100 stops, seven tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery. 

3-4A DI

Offensive MVP: Beau Hudson, Andrews RB

Andrews's famous Power Spread offense has a bevy of experience up front, which should allow Hudson to flash his 4.5 40-yard dash speed.

Defensive MVP: Reece Watzl, Midland Greenwood LB

Watzl (6-foot-2, 210) was a TSWA honorable mention all-state selection with 150 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and six sacks. 

4-4A DI

Offensive MVP: Kaine Hill, Springtown QB

Hill is the headliner of Springtown's hopes to play in December after throwing for 2,664 yards and 34 touchdowns paired with 606 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns.

Defensive MVP: Devin Moreno, Decatur LB

Moreno, a three-year starter, racked up 71 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and three sacks a season ago. He wins with his high football IQ and excellent ball skills.

5-4A DI

Offensive MVP: Chris Johnson, Fort Worth Eastern Hills RB

Johson's blazing 4.4 40-yard dash helped him rack up over 1,200 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Defensive MVP: Landon Watkins, Kennedale FS

Watkins could see more time at running back in Kennedale's Wing-T scheme, but he's still our Defensive District MVP pick after posting 56 tackles and four interceptions.

6-4A DI

Offensive MVP: Jaston Hampton, Dallas Lincoln QB

Hampton (6-foot-1, 212), had 468 receiving yards and eight touchdowns last fall, but he figures to slide into quarterback and help the Tigers contend for a district championship.

Defensive MVP: Landon Traylor, Dallas Carter LB

Traylor (6-foot, 220) is the heart and soul of a Dallas Carter defense that should be the strength of the team. He had 164 tackles and 15 sacks a year ago.

7-4A DI

Offensive MVP: Deuce Timmons, Sulphur Springs QB

Timmons was on his way to an All-State season before injury sidelined him for the final six games. We predict he'll make up for lost time this fall.

Defensive MVP: Cole Martin, Kaufman LB

Martin (6-foot-1, 220) is a two-time captain who'll be the focal point of Kaufman's scheme on both offense and defense. He had 80 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and five sacks last fall.

8-4A DI

Offensive MVP: Rayshaun Williams, Kilgore RB

Williams is an explosive back with great vision and toughness, evidence by his 1,924 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Defensive MVP: Kae'den Franklin, Tyler Chapel Hill DL

Franklin is an agent of chaos on the line of scrimmage, posting 113 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, and seven sacks.

9-4A DI

Offensive MVP: Drayden Bacon, Huffman Hargrave RB

Bacon put up a sizzling First Team All-District performance last season with 1,657 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns.

Defensive MVP: Bryce Breeden, Bridge City LB

Breeden, the No.2-rated inside linebacker in the DCTX Hot 100, is an Arkansas commit who posted 109 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and eight sacks.

10-4A DI

Offensive MVP: Aiden Seales, Stafford ATH

Stafford's district title expectations start with Seales, who had 1,767 total yards as a wide receiver, running back, and return man.

Defensive MVP: Jerimiah Mills, Fort Bend Willowridge CB

Mills was a First Team All-District selection who had 45 tackles and three interceptions last fall. Coach Kendron Penson praises him for his leadership on the team.

11-4A DI

Offensive MVP: Keimarion Wiggins, Bay CIty QB

Wiggins was a First Team All-State Utility Player last year who had over 1,400 passing yards, 800 rushing yards, and even 230 receiving yards. 

Defensive MVP: Colton Gilbert, Sealy DE

Gilbert has become a force on the edge over two years as a starter, posting 107 tackles and 12.5 sacks  last fall.

12-4A DI

Offensive MVP: Trot Jordan, Stephenville QB

Jordan was the All-State Offensive Player of the Year after throwing for 45 touchdowns and four interceptions and leading Stephenville to the state championship.

Defensive MVP: Jacob Lessman, China Spring DB

Lessman (6-foot-3, 190) is a big-time wide receiver who will also be a ballhawking safety. He'll be a cornerstone for new head coach Josh Gregory.

13-4A DI

Offensive MVP: Tristan Torrez, San Antonio Davenport QB

Torrez was a Second Team All-District selection with 2,388 yards and 24 passing touchdowns. He'll be the offensive captain of the 13-1 Wolves.

Defensive MVP: Marquis Murry II, Austin LBJ

Murry is a two-way star who had 1,500+ rushing yards and 22 touchdowns in nine games. But he also posted 38 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and four sacks.

14-4A DI

Offensive MVP: Malakai Iverson, Somerset WR

Iverson emerged as one of the top wide receivers in the San Antonio area last fall with 51 receptions for 1,081 yards and 19 touchdowns in a breakout sophomore campaign.

Defensive MVP: Matthew Lindsey, La Vernia DB

Lindsey will be the defensive leader of reigning state semifinalist La Vernia. He had 109 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and five interceptions. 

15-4A DI

Offensive MVP: Ryder Reeve, CC Calallen RB

Reeve, an Army LB commit, was the District Co-Defensive Player of the Year with 81 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and five forced fumbles from the strong safety spot. But he'll be a focal point at running back this fall.

Defensive MVP: Dane Spencer, Port Lavaca Calhoun LB

Spencer (6-foot-3, 230) is described by coach Stephen Hrncir as a natural leader who has great instincts for the ball. He had 45 tackles, five tackles for loss, four sacks, and two defensive touchdowns. 

16-4A DI

Offensive MVP: Alizzandro Villarreal, Zapata WR

Villarreal (6-foot-1, 175) is a standout wide receiver with a 4.6 40-yard dash who led the team to a 7-4 record last year.

Defensive MVP: Marcus Carcia, Edcouch-Elsa CB

Garcia, a three-year starter, is one of the best cover corners in South Texas. He totaled 68 tackles, 15 pass breakups, and four interceptions last fall. 

 

DIVISION II

1-4A DII

Offensive MVP: Gerry Gandara, Clint Mountain View QB

Gandara is the headliner among 17 returning starters. He threw for just under 2,000 yards and nine touchdowns.

Defensive MVP: Kane Pittman, El Paso Irvin DL

Pittman is part of a rising playoff contender at El Paso Irvin with 52 tackles and three sacks.

2-4A DII

Offensive MVP: Buddha Guerra, Seminole ATH

Guerra was the Offensive Newcomer of the Year as a freshman last season with 607 rushing yards and 518 receiving yards. Look for Seminole to invent new ways to get the ball in his hands.

Defensive MVP: Toby Porter, Big Spring LB

New coach Stacey Martin, formerly the defensive coordinator at Midland, will love having a linebacker like Porter. 

3-4A DII

Offensive MVP: Ethan Salazar, Levelland QB

Salazar threw for 1,826 yards and 22 touchdowns last year and is at the forefront of one of Levelland's strongest rosters on-paper in years.

Defensive MVP: Isaac Rodriguez, Lubbock Liberty DL

Lubbock Estacado's Vershanndrick Smith was the pick in the magazine, but now that he's no longer on the team, we're going with Rodriguez. He had 60 tackles and five sacks a year ago. He's a two-time captain who holds the school's shot put record at 52'11".

4-4A DII

Offensive MVP: Holt Frazier, Brock QB

Frazier had a breakout junior year with 3,445 passing yards and 50 touchdowns, leading Brock to a 14-1 record.

Defensive MVP: Javawn McKinney, Mineral Wells DL

McKinney (6-foot-4, 310) is a four-year starter who headlines a strong defensive line at Mineral Wells.

5-4A DII

Offensive MVP: Judd Connally, Glen Rose QB

Connally was the District Overall MVP as a sophomore with over 2,300 passing yards, nearly 1,200 rushing yards, and 48 total touchdowns. 

Defensive MVP: Jared Rivera, Hillsboro LB

New head coach Leeland Hamilton, recently the offensive coordinator at Katy Morton Ranch, will rely on two-way standout Rivera.

6-4A DII

Offensive MVP: Wyatt Pennington, Sanger WR

Pennington (6-foot-4, 185) is a three-year starter who had 43 catches for 623 yards and six touchdowns last fall.

Defensive MVP: Conor Griffin, Krum LB

Grffin was the District Defensive MVP for the undefeated district champion Bobcats. He had 76 tackles and five tackles for loss. 

7-4A DII

Offensive MVP: Cayson Maupin, Sunnyvale QB

Maupin is a three-year starter who has led Sunnyvale to back-to-back district titles. He had over 1,200 rushing yards and 2,700 passing yards with 47 total touchdowns.

Defensive MVP: Devon Williams, Quinlan Ford DB

Williams was a two-way First Team All-District performer who had over 1,400 yards at running back. He'll be relied on in the defensive back field once again.

8-4A DII

Offensive MVP: Jace Harris, Carthage ATH

Harris is the type of player who can line up at any position on the field. He will take over in a vacuum of skill position players who graduated last year. 

Defensive MVP: Kedrid Smith, Pleasant Grove DL

Smith, the Preseason Class 4A Defensive Player of the Year as a junior, had 61 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, and ten sacks in a breakout sophomore campaign.

9-4A DII

Offensive MVP: Cort Ray, Canton QB

Ray was the District Offensive Player of the Year with over 2,000 passing yards and over 1,200 rushing yards. He's quietly become one of the best quarterbacks in Class 4A.

Defensive MVP: Ja'bory Taylor, Athens LB

After an 11-3 season, Taylor is at the forefront of the Hornets quest to prove they have more sting than a one-year wonder. He's a four-year starter who had 113 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and eight sacks on defense. 

10-4A DII

Offensive MVP: Khelvy Jefferson, West Orange-Stark RB

Ahead of his senior year, Jefferson is already West Orange-Stark's all-time leading rusher with 4,208 career yards.

Defensive MVP: Anterrion Fontenot, West Orange-Stark LB

Fontenot was a First Team All-State selection with 169 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and seven forced fumbles, powering West Orange-Stark's run to the state championship.

11-4A DII

Offensive MVP: Jordan Simmons, Houston Yates ATH

Simmons was one of the star's behind Houston Yates's district title with 839 rushing yards and 527 receiving yards. 

Defensive MVP: Javeon Taylor, Houston North Forest DE

Taylor was third nationally with 26 sacks and earned unanimous District MVP honors. With seven starters back on both sides of the ball, North Forest could make a district championship push.

12-4A DII

Offensive MVP: Aaron Walker, La Marque QB

Walker enjoyed a breakout sophomore campaign with 2,800 passing yards and an absurd 28:2 TD/INT ratio, leading La Marque to a 10-3 record.

Defensive MVP: Don Gillum, Bellville ATH

Gillum was a First Team All-District selection at both wide receiver and cornerback. The three-year starter is one of the few experienced players on Bellville's roster in 2026.

13-4A DII

Offensive MVP: Brice McCurdy, Robinson QB

McCurdy is a dual-threat TCU commit who had over 2,200 passing yards and nearly 700 rushing yards with 29 total touchdowns.

Defensive MVP: Craig Davis, Waco La Vega LB

Davis has bulked up by 20 pounds this offseason and is moving from outside linebacker to Mike linebacker in Don Hyde's always-stout defense. 

14-4A DII

Offensive MVP: Daevion Lewis, Manor New Tech ATH

Lewis was injured for the majority of his sophomore campaign, but he's too athletic (10.8 100M dash, 25'6" long jump) to count out as a junior.

Defensive MVP:Rhett Rosborough, Wimberley DL

Rosborough may be strong and physical, but head coach Wesley Lambert says his greatest attribute is his vocal leadership.

15-4A DII

Offensive MVP:Melo Perez, Cuero RB

Needing to replace one of the state's most prolific QB/WR duos, Cuero turns to RB Perez (1,214 rushing yards, 16 total touchdowns) in an identity shift.

Defensive MVP: Jonah Klein, Bandera LB

Klein was a First Team All-District selection last season with 69 tackles and 12.5 tackles for loss. The two-year starter is the defensive focal point of a Bandera team that went 10-0 in the regular season.

16-4A DII

Offensive MVP: Maddox Jennings, Corpus Christi London WR

Jennings had 67 catches for 1,138 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns, one of two 1,000-yard wide receivers on the Pirates' roster (Zach Tyrone). 

Defensive MVP: Grayson Estes, Port Isabel DB

Estes was a First Team All-District free safety who started 11 games in the backend. He'll also play quarterback in 2026.