After a lengthy offseason, the 2026 Texas high school football season is finally almost here with teams across the Lone Star State participating in scrimmage and kicking off regular-season play in the next few weeks.
With a brand new season on the horizon, it’s time to take an in-depth look at the Abilene area’s best returning players on the gridiron and tackle the question: Who will be the Big Country’s best defender in 2026?
Now we want to hear from you! Who should be the Abilene Reporter-News’ 2026 Readers’ Choice All-Big Country Football Preseason Defensive Player of the Year?
Read more about the 16 finalists for the All-Big Country Football Preseason Defensive Player of the Year award and vote for your preferred candidate using the poll below. Voting will close at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30.
Candidates were selected via a combination of 2025 statistics, individual accolades, team success and feedback from area coaches.
Here’s a closer look at all the candidates for the ARN’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Preseason All-Big Country Football Defensive Player of the Year award:
All athletes listed in alphabetical order below.
DB Bryce Burkeen, De Leon, Sr.
Burkeen was a 1,000-yard receiver and a dangerous kick/punt returner for the Bearcats in 2025, but he was most dangerous at defensive back posting 80 tackles, nine pass deflections, four forced fumbles, two interceptions and a fumble recovery.
DB Owen Campbell, Goldthwaite, Jr.
Campbell will continue to be a major difference maker for Goldthwaite at quarterback and in the Eagles’ secondary, where he logged 117 tackles (61 solo), eight pass breakups, four tackles for loss and three interceptions last season.
DB Cason Cumby, Tuscola Jim Ned, Sr.
Cumby – a ball-hawking defensive back who recorded 47 tackles, seven pass deflections, six interceptions, two forced fumbles and a tackle for loss in 2025 – will be one of the Indians’ defensive leaders in 2026 as one of two starters returning from a Jim Ned squad that reached the 3A DI regional semifinals
LB Jamarion Dunson, Abilene Cooper, Sr.
Dunson is poised to take on an even bigger role in Cooper’s defense after emerging as one of the Cougars’ top defenders in 2025, tallying 109 tackles (55 solo), four sacks, four tackles for loss, three QB hurries, two pass deflections, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.
DE/OLB Christian Gray, Brownwood, Jr.
Gray burst onto the scene as a sophomore for the Lions, racking up 63 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 10 sacks to claim District 4-4A DI Defensive Newcomer of the Year honors.
LB Hagan Greenway, Goldthwaite, Jr.
Greenway had a monster season defensively for the Eagles last year, logging 130 tackles (63 solo), 19 tackles for loss, 11 QB hurries, 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a pass break-up to net first team all-district honors.
DL Nolan Griswold, Stephenville, Sr.
Griswold was the anchor of the Yellow Jackets’ ferocious front seven defensively during a 16-0 run to the 4A DI UIL State Championship, recording 70 tackles (39 solo), 17 tackles for loss, 10 QB hurries, three sacks and a forced fumble.
LB Rowdy Holden, Hamlin, Sr.
Holden was a disruptive force for the Pied Pipers’ defense, taking home District 7-2A DII’s Defensive MVP award after finishing a strong junior year with 145½ tackles, 23 tackles for loss and 12 QB hurries.
LB Bo Kates, Abilene Wylie, Sr.
Kates – a first team all-district pick in District 2-5A DII – was one of the Big Country’s most reliable tacklers in the middle of the Bulldogs’ defense last year tallying 121 tackles, four tackles for loss, one interception, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
LB Bennett Neece, Albany, Jr.
Neece should be one of the Lions’ leading defenders in 2026 after an impressive sophomore season the featured 101 tackles, eight tackles for loss, six sacks, a pair of fumble recoveries and an interception.
DB Kaleb Rodriguez, Coahoma, Jr.
Rodriguez – District 4-3A DII’s Defensive Newcomer of the Year – was one of the Big Country’s biggest breakout stars of 2025, finishing a strong sophomore season with 71 tackles, eight pass deflections, seven interceptions, two tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery for the Bulldogs.
OLB Symanni Strahan, Abilene High, Sr.
Strahan will lead a strong Eagles’ defense into the 2026 season after recording 77 tackles, eight tackles for loss, five QB hurries, two sacks, one fumble recovery and one interception during a stellar junior season last year.
DB Carter Toof, Cisco, Sr.
Toof was a two-way weapon for the Loboes at wide receiver and defensive back during their run to the 2A DI regional finals, racking up 39 tackles, nine pass deflections, seven interceptions and two tackles for loss.
DB Ryan Waller, Breckenridge, Jr.
Waller was a first team all-district honoree in 2025 after a standout sophomore season in the Buckaroos’ secondary, finishing the year with 33 tackles, 17 pass breakups, five interceptions and three tackles for loss.
DB C’Nai Whitfield, Stamford, Sr.
Whitfield was a major part of Stamford’s run to the 2A DI UIL state title game in 2024 and was a major contributor again for a tough Bulldogs’ defense in 2025 tallying 72 tackles, 13 pass deflections, four interceptions and three tackles for loss to earn first team all-district honors.
LB Miles Wilsher, Clyde, Sr.
Wilsher, who’s also a workhorse running back for Clyde offensively, really shines on the defensive side of the ball where he earned first team all-district honors at linebacker in 2025 after recording 125 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and eight sacks.
VOTE HERE
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Fan Vote: Who should be Preseason All-Big Country Football Defensive MVP?
Reporting by Andrew McCulloch, Abilene Reporter-News / Abilene Reporter-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Andrew McCulloch, Abilene Reporter-News | USA TODAY Network
