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 most effective offensive weapon in 2026?
Now we want to hear from you! Who should be the Abilene Reporter-News’ 2026 Readers’ Choice Preseason All-Big Country Football Offensive Player of the Year?
Read more about the 16 finalists for the Preseason All-Big Country Football Offensive 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 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year award:
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Fan Vote: Who should be the 2026 ARN Readers’ Choice Preseason All-Big Country Football Offensive Player of the Year?
All athletes listed in alphabetical order below.
WR M’Aujehl Aboso, Abilene High, Sr.
Aboso was a first team all-district selection for the Warbirds in District 2-5A DI last year after he recorded 55 receptions for 953 yards and 12 touchdown catches.
TE/WR Camden Ables, Hawley, Sr.
Ables has been a standout two-way player and three-year varsity starter for the Bearcats, earning first team all-district honors at tight end last season after registering 45 catches for 792 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.
RB Trent Buffington, Brownwood, Jr.
Buffington ran for 775 yards and nine rushing touchdowns on 140 carries to secure first team all-district honors in District 4-4A DI and help the Lions reach the area round of the playoffs.
RB Lane Couch, De Leon, Jr.
Couch – a first team all-district selection in District 5-2A DI – thrived in the Bearcats’ offense as a shifty, versatile running back who tallied 890 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on 123 carries and 10 catches for 87 yards and three receiving touchdowns last year.
WR Zaylon Johnson, Abilene Cooper, Jr.
Johnson should be a major part of the Cougars’ dynamic offense in 2026 after bursting onto the Big Country’s high school football season last year by recording 43 receptions for 713 yards and 10 touchdown catches.
QB Trot Jordan, Stephenville, Sr.
Jordan was a major reason why Stephenville finished 16-0 and won its seventh state title in program history last year after throwing for 3,241 yards and 45 touchdowns on 195-of-299 passing while adding 560 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
QB Austin Joslin, Coahoma, Sr.
Joslin emerged as one of the Big Country’s elite quarterbacks last season at Coahoma, earning first team all-district honors after throwing for 1,887 yards and 28 touchdowns on 122-of-215 passing.
QB Easton Malone, Merkel, Jr.
Malone received first team all-district honors at linebacker and quarterback last year, but shined on the offensive side of the ball by throwing for 2,476 yards and 32 touchdowns on 153-of-254 passing and running for 648 yards and seven rushing touchdowns on 130 carries.
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RB Zyler McClendon, Stephenville, Sr.
McClendon – a first team all-district pick in District 4-4A DI last year – finished 2025 as the Big Country’s leading rusher for the state champion Yellow Jackets, racking up 1,702 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns on 218 carries.
QB Colby McIlroy, Cisco, Jr.
McIlroy’s breakout sophomore season – which included – helped Cisco win a district title and reach the regional finals of the 2A DI UIL Playoffs
RB/FB Jackson McKinnerney, Santo, Sr.
McKinnerney should be in line for a big senior season, as the Wildcats’ leading rusher in 2025 returns after running for 764 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns on 115 carries.
QB Haegan Pinkerton, Haskell, Sr.
Pinkerton helped Haskell reach the playoffs and was named the MVP of District 6-2A DII after passing for 1,309 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushing for 1,767 yards and 22 touchdowns.
WR Blaze Ruffin, Abilene Wylie, Sr.
Ruffin was one of the Big Country’s most reliable receivers and a constant big-play threat for the Bulldogs in 2025, catching 36 passes for 767 yards and nine receiving touchdowns to secure first team all-district recognition in District 2-5A DII.
RB LaDainian Smith, Comanche, Sr.
Smith will be one of the Big Country’s most experienced and reliable running backs in 2026 after logging 827 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground off 168 carries for the Indians.
TE/UTL Malachi St. John, Anson, Sr.
St. John – an Abilene Christian Wildcats commit – was a swiss army knife for Anson offensively in 2025 tallying 90 catches for 1,244 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. The first team all-district pick also added 230 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.
QB Devan Wright, Clyde, Sr.
Wright was a major reason for the Bulldogs’ success last season, earning a first team all-district selection after passing for 1,394 yards and 18 touchdowns and rushing for 1,433 yards and 14 touchdowns.
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