Every Class 3A Preseason District MVP in the 2026 Magazine

1-3A DI

Offensive MVP: Kannon Aven, Bushland QB

Aven (2,328 total yards, 23 total touchdowns) is the pilot of a Bushland offense returning eight starters.

Defensive MVP: Blayce Jeter, Shallowater LB

Jeter led the team with 120 tackles from his Sam linebacker spot, earning District Defensive Newcomer of the Year.

2-3A DI

Offensive MVP: Devan Wright, Clyde QB

Wright was the District MVP and enters his third year as the starter after throwing for nearly 1,400 yards and rushing for over 1,400 yards with 32 total touchdowns.

Defensive MVP: Cason Cumby, Jim Ned DB

Cumby is one of three returning starters from Jim Ned's 11-2 team. He had 67 tackles, seven pass breakups, and seven interceptions in a breakout season.

3-3A DI

Offensive MVP: Luke Davis, Llano QB

Davis is a four-year starter who had 2,959 total yards and 40 total touchdowns despite missing a couple games of Llano's 13-2 season with an injury.

Defensive MVP: Slayton Hallmark, Wall LB

Hallmark is one of three returning starters on defense from the state champion Hawks. He is an open-field tackling machine with 96 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and three sacks.

4-3A DI

Offensive MVP: Ayden Olalde, Paradise QB

Olalde, a three-year starter, threw for over 3,000 yards and scored 40 total touchdowns, leading Paradise to a second-consecutive district championship and a 12-2 record. 

Defensive MVP: Slayte Robertson, Peaster LB 

Robertson had 93 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and seven sacks from his outside linebacker spot and will now shift to Mike linebacker as a senior.

5-3A DI

Offensive MVP: Knox Gage, Gunter QB

Gage had a breakout sophomore year with just under 2,500 total yards and 34 touchdowns, leading Gunter to it's 10th consecutive regional championship.

Defensive MVP: David Puga, Gunter LB

Puga is the headliner of one of Class 3A's best linebacker corps. He had 89 tackles, three forced fumbles, and an interception last year.

6-3A DI

Offensive MVP: Kobe Haynes, Whitney ATH

Haynes, the No.3-rated athlete in the DCTX Hot 100, is a TCU commit who had 1,500 passing yards, 1,500 rushing yards, and 700 receiving yards in a tremendous junior campaign.

Defensive MVP: Kason Sanders, Grandview DB

Sanders was a two-way all-state performer on a Grandview team that made its first state championship appearance since 2019. He led the Zebras with 10 pass breakups and three interceptions.

7-3A DI

Offensive MVP: Aidan Brown, Commerce QB

Brown had 2,325 passing yards, 1,600 rushing yards, and 52 total touchdowns last fall, leading Commerce to a 10-3 record.

Defensive MVP: Hunter Rush, Malakoff DL

Coach Jamie Driskell says Rush has an unbelievable motor, which powered him to 71 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and five sacks. 

8-3A DI

Offensive MVP: Achilles Hess, Gladewater QB

Just as we all need an Achilles to run, Gladewater's offense runs through Achilles Hess, who earned District Offensive Newcomer of the Year as a junior.

Defensive MVP: CJ Whaley, Atlanta DL

Whaley, the son of former Texas Longhorns DL Chris Whaley, can absolutely wreck games as a 6-foot-5 edge rusher.

9-3A DI

Offensive MVP: Kavian Bryant, Palestine Westwood QB

Bryant, the No.1-rated quarterback in the DCTX Hot 100, is a Texas Tech commit who had over 4,000 total yards and 37 passing touchdowns. He is the preseason Class 3A Offensive Player of the Year in Dave Campbell's Texas Football magazine.

Defensive MVP: Tyrece McMillan, Diboll ATH

McMillan is Diboll's top returning tackler with 52 stops. He's one of the leaders on a Diboll team that returns 15 starters.

10-3A DI

Offensive MVP: Carson Gonzales, Orangefield QB

Gonzales had over 2,200 yards and 27 touchdowns, guiding Orangefield to a 9-3 record. He enters his fourth year as the starter.

Defensive MVP: Darius Edmonson, East Chambers DL

Edmonson was a Second Team All-District fullback who wreaks similar havoc on the defensive line, where he posted 32 tackles. 

11-3A DI

Offensive MVP: Keyon Hemphill-Woods, Columbus OL

It's extremely rare for an offensive lineman to earn preseason District Offensive MVP, but the University of Texas commit is a rare breed.

Defensive MVP: KJ Woolsey, Sweeny LB

Woolsey is a three-year starter who had 78 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles from his linebacker spot.

12-3A DI

Offensive MVP: Jaxon Blancett, Lorena QB

Blancett (6-foot-5, 215) is big, physical, and mobile with two years of starting experience. He threw for 2,783 yards and had 28 total touchdowns. 

Defensive MVP: Ryder Klein, Franklin DL

Klein was a dominant force as a sophomore with 83 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and three sacks. The 6-foot-3, 280-pound Klein gives Franklin much-needed size up front.

13-3A DI

Offensive MVP: Kennan Dilworth, Yoakum WR

Dilworth is the only returning starter on offense from Yoakum's first state championship team in program history. He provides much-needed leadership for a team that loses 21 seniors.

Defensive MVP: Jacob Spangenberg, Hallettsville LB

Spangenberg was Hallettsville's leading tackler a year ago with 86 stops. He'll be a focal point on defense as the Brahmas look to get past the first round of the playoffs for the first time in four seasons.

14-3A DI

Offensive MVP: Keeton Burris, Jourdanton QB

Burris (6-foot-4, 180) uses his imposing physicality in the run game with 26 total touchdowns. He is the headliner from an electric core of skill players back from a 7-4 team.

Defensive MVP: Andrew Tapia, Hondo LB

Tapia is the reigning District Defensive MVP with 95 tackles, four forced fumbles, and three sacks. 

15-3A DI

Offensive MVP: Daniel Bahn, Orange Grove RB

Bahn was the District Co-Offensive MVP despite suffering a season-ending injury in Week 8. He still piled up 1,465 all-purpose yards and 19 rushing touchdowns. 

Defensive MVP: Marcos Zapata Jr., Sinton DB

Zapata was an All-South Texas First Team Utility Player in 2025 for his efforts on both sides of the ball. On defense, he had 139 tackles and two forced fumbles. 

16-3A DI

Offensive MVP: Braxten Montalvo, Bishop QB

Bishop was the District's Quarterback of the Year with 2,500 passing yards and 25 touchdowns. He headlines 17 returning starters from a playoff team.

Defensive MVP: Ronnie White, San Diego DB

White is a four-year starter and First Team All-District player on both sides of the ball who exemplifies San Diego's tough, hard-nosed culture. 

1-3A DII

Offensive MVP: Weston Mitchell, Canadian QB

Mitchell is described by coach Andy Cavalier as an "excellent leader" who started every game as a sophomore. He threw for 3,291 yards and 39 touchdowns.

Defensive MVP: Eduardo Jacquez, Canadian DL

Jacquez was the district's most dominant defensive lineman last fall with 101 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks. 

2-3A DII

Offensive MVP: AJ Huddleston, Idalou RB

There's not a position on the field Huddleston can't play. He had 1,200 rushing yards, 325 receiving yards, and 19 total touchdowns last fall while also posting 115 tackles and 10 tackles for loss from his linebacker spot.

Defensive MVP: Jayden Barrio, Littlefield DB

Barrio (6-foot-2, 185) was a two-way all-district selection with 67 receptions, 1,115 yards, and 11 touchdowns at wide receiver. He also posted 97 tackles, 6 pass breakups, and three interceptions.

3-3A DII

Offensive MVP: Austin Joslin, Coahoma QB

Joslin moved from wide receiver to quarterback midway through Week 1 of the season – and proceeded to lead the Bulldogs to a 9-3 record with over 1,800 passing yards and 28 touchdowns.

Defensive MVP: Hayden Simpson, San Angelo Grape Creek

Simpson 38 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and seven sacks a year ago. He is a prime example of the attitude that head coach Trey Morgan believes will be a strength of the team.

4-3A DII

Offensive MVP: Landon Jones, Holliday QB

Jones made major strides as a sophomore with 1,899 passing yards, 939 rushing yards, and 37 total touchdowns.

Defensive MVP: Will Treadway, Jacksboro DL

Treadway is an explosive pass rusher who racked up 93 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks. 

5-3A DII

Offensive MVP: Briton Rice, Tolar QB

Rice is a two-time First Team All-District player who enters his third year as Tolar's starting quarterback. He had 1,615 passing yards and 14 touchdowns last year.

Defensive MVP: Easton Marwitz, Hamilton LB

Marwitz was one of the state's breakout stars as a freshman, posting 179 tackles and leading Hamilton's defense in the first state championship season in program history.

6-3A DII

Offensive MVP: Randy Hudson, Dallas Madison QB

Hudson threw for over 1,900 yards and 23 touchdowns last fall and could be in for an even bigger year after his Trojans dropped from Class 3A DI to Class 3A DII.

Defensive MVP:Logan Mullins, Scurry-Rosser LB

Mullins is described by head coach John David Caffey as a "Zach Thomas type linebacker." Mullins sure played like the Texas Tech legend last fall, posting 118 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and four sacks.

7-3A DII

Offensive MVP: Jaxon Brown, Bells RB

Brown is a hard-nosed and tough two-way force who had 970 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns in addition to 83 tackles as a linebacker.

Defensive MVP: Gavin Burch, Blue Ridge DL

Burch is a 6-foot-5, 190-pound defensive end who had 35 tackles and 12 sacks last year.

8-3A DII

Offensive MVP: Trevor Golightly, Edgewood QB

Golightly is one of the best quarterbacks in Class 3A. He had over 3,300 passing yards, nearly 1,200 rushing yards, and 54 total touchdowns.

Defensive MVP: Kolton Prox, Grand Saline DB

Prox is a North Texas commit who had 1,000 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns at wide receiver. He's described by head coach Joe Drennon as an unbelievable athlete who could play either offense or defense at the next level.

9-3A DII

Offensive MVP: Reign Wallace, Daingerfield WR

Wallace is described by head coach Davin Nelson as the most explosive athlete on the field in any game, evidenced by his 4.35 40-yard dash. He had 1,325 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns on just 57 catches. 

Defensive MVP: Bryuan Gardner, DeKalb DB

Gardner is a two-way star who had over 1,000 rushing yards and 120 tackles on defense. 

10-3A DII

Offensive MVP: Chance Washington, Jefferson QB

Washington is one of the headliners of a 23-person senior class that has high hopes for Jefferson in 2026. The dual-threat quarterback had over 2,000 yards and 30 touchdowns last fall.

Defensive MVP: Brett Wells, Troup LB

Wells is the Class 3A Preseason Defensive Player of the Year after racking up 109 tackles and nine tackles for loss. But he was the District Overall MVP for his contributions on offense as well, with over 1,900 rushing yards and 35 total touchdowns.

11-3A DII

Offensive MVP: Trent Harris, Corsicana Mildred RB

Harris posted 1,817 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns, leading Mildred to a 9-3 record. He is the focal point of the Eagles plan to soar after a jump from Class 2A to 3A.

Defensive MVP: Elijah Harper, Buffalo DB

Harper had 65 tackles and four interceptions, helping Buffalo triple its win total in coach Trent Jones's first season. 

12-3A DII

Offensive MVP: Kendray Porter Jr, Newton RB

Porter, a Houston commit, had over 2,400 yards and 40 total touchdowns, leading Newton all the way to the state championship game.

Defensive MVP: Landon Harris, Woodville DB

Harris (6-foot-2, 180) has four Division I offers after recording 45 tackles, six passes defensed, and three interceptions.

13-3A DII

Offensive MVP: Owen Brenek, Schulenburg QB

Brenek is a senior team captain after throwing for 1,900 yards, rushing for 749 yards, and scoring 39 total touchdowns.

Defensive MVP: Colten Smith, Lexington DB

Smith (RB/DB) will be a focal point on both sides of the ball for a Lexington team that graduated heavily after a 10-2 season.

14-3A DII

Offensive MVP: Amare Jones, East Bernard WR

Jones was one of the star's from East Bernard's magical run to the state semifinals last fall with 70 receptions for 1,200 yards and 18 touchdowns. 

Defensive MVP: Alex Torres, Tidehaven DE

Torres was the District Newcomer of the Year with eight sacks. He is one of the headliners on a Tidehaven defensive line that was selected as a top five unit in the state. 

15-3A DII

Offensive MVP: Eli Walker, Blanco RB

Walker was an All-District quarterback last season and will be the workhorse of Blanco's Slot-T offense in 2026.

Defensive MVP: Ethan Kopecki, Poth DB

Kopecki is one of the top defensive leaders for Poth in 2026. He was a First Team All-District safety with 106 tackles.

16-3A DII

Offensive MVP: Frank Torres, Cotulla QB

Torres is a three-year varsity starter who had over 1,100 passing yards, over 960 rushing yards and 23 total touchdowns.

Defensive MVP: Kole Freeborn, George West DL

Freeborn is a two-time First Team All-District player who plays with 100% effort evert play, according to head coach Rod Blount. He had 79 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and sick sacks.