North Texas high school football player of the year candidates for 2023

From Duncanville 5-star Colin Simmons to Dallas First Baptist Academy's Hunter McCoy, these 19 players have played way into MVP consideration

With more than half of the 2023 Texas high school football season in the books, SBLive is taking a look at the players who have had the best individual season in each region. 

We started with Central Texas, then South Texas. Now, we're turning our attention to North Texas before finishing with Southeast Texas, West Texas and East Texas.

If the season ended today, who would be the North Texas Player of the Year?

During regular season, we're examining the top players in the state at each position, starting with the 20 best quarterbacks, 20 running backs and 20 wide receivers.

Now, we're taking an up-to-date look at 19 players who have stood tall above the pack, spanning all position and schools of all shapes and sizes.

Scroll down and read up on 19 standouts and stay tuned for a reader poll to pick the winner:

NORTH TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR WATCH LIST

Keylan Abrams, defensive end, junior

High school: DeSoto

The junior Purdue commit played a big role last year for 6A-Division II state champions and this year he has 8 sacks, 32 tackles and 8 TFLs in 5 games for the Eagles. In three of the five games, DeSoto has given up two scores or less.

Triston Airy, running back

High school: Frisco Reedy

The 5-foot-8 junior is a big reason why the Lions are 6-1, rushing for more than 10 yards per carry with 13 touchdowns on 100 carries. He’s run for 100 yards or more in five games.

Luke Carney, quarterback, junior

High school: Dallas Christian

The junior had more than 3,000 yards last year and he’s well on his way to surpassing that this season. He has thrown for 2,323 with 23 touchdowns with a 77% completion rate for the Chargers (6-1). He’s also ran for 5 touchdowns and 512 yards — a 10.9 yards per carry average.

Deonte Dean, running back, senior

High school: Richardson Lake Highlands

The 5-2 Wildcats have gotten a big showing from the uncommitted running back, who is averaging 8 yards per carry. He has 1,372 yards and 13 touchdowns after seven games.

Michael Hawkins, quarterback, senior

High school: Frisco Emerson

In his first year at the school, the Oklahoma pledge has thrown 25 touchdowns without any interceptions. He’s completed 83 of 113 passes for 1,424 and has played in about two quarters per game for the Mavericks, now 7-0.

• Michael Hawkins Jr., Oklahoma Sooners legacy commit, shining in final high school season

Tucker James, running back, junior

High school: Trophy Club Byron Nelson

The junior moved into a starting role this year and has three different games where he’s scored four touchdowns for the Bobcats (6-0). James had 613 yards on 67 carries and 16 scores.

Chris Jimerson Jr., quarterback, junior

High school: North Crowley

The recent TCU pledge has helped the Panthers get off to a 6-0 start. Jimerson has completed 88 of 136 passes for 1,563 yards with 19 touchdowns and one interception. The dual-threat quarterback has also run for 546 yards and six touchdowns.

Kaliq Lockett, wide receiver, junior

High school: Sachse

An uncommitted four-star recruit, he’s hauled in 34 catches for 844 yards and seven scores in six games. The Mustangs’ top target has had at least four catches in every game and had 277 yards in a win against Lakeview Centennial.

Cooper Massey, linebacker, senior

High school: Brock 

A returning all-stater, Massey has 84 tackles with 15 tackles and one sack for the Eagles, which followed up back-to-back shutouts with a 63-3 win over Whitesboro.

Hunter McCoy, quarterback, senior

High school: Dallas First Baptist Academy

A dual-threat quarterback for the Saints, he’s put up video-game-like numbers in seven games for the undefeated TAPPS squad. He’s thrown for 2,313 yards, 37 touchdowns — with two interceptions — and completed 120 of 167 passes. Holy Cross pledge Alijah Cason has 20 touchdown catches and more than a third of the catches (43).

Daylan McCutcheon, wide receiver, junior

High school: Lucas Lovejoy

The uncommitted four-star recruit has been one of the top targets for quarterback Honda Franklin. McCutcheon has 39 catches for 663 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Leopard (5-1) in his first six games.

Dakorien Moore, wide receiver, junior

High school: Duncanville

One of many Division I recruits for the Panthers, the LSU pledge has been a big part of the success of the offense. The junior opened the year with seven catches for 281 yards and three touchdowns against defending 5A champ South Oak Cliff. He has 24 catches for 702 yards and nine touchdowns this year on an impressive 19 yards per catch.

Brennan Myer, quarterback, senior

High school: Frisco Wakeland

The Bryant pledge the 2,000 passing yard mark in seven games, with 2,052 yards during the Wolverines’ 5-2 start. He is completing 70% of his passes — 130 for 185 — and has 27 touchdowns to only two interceptions.

Armstrong Nnodim, defensive end, senior

High school: Mesquite Horn

The future Oklahoma State lineman has been a monster for the Jaguars. In seven games, he has 11 sacks, 52 tackles and 26 1/2 of those are for losses.

Braxton Roberts, quarterback, senior

High school: Frisco Panther Creek

The senior is putting up big numbers for the second-year program. He’s completed 69% of his passes — 151 of 220 — and has thrown for 2,195 yards for the 6-1 Panthers. He’s thrown 23 touchdowns — with four picks — and six of those came in Week 7 vs. Dallas Carter. Cristian Trickett is the top target with 17 receiving touchdowns.

Collin Simmons, defensive end, senior

High school: Duncanville

The Texas recruit hasn’t played a ton of second halves due to his team's dominance, but he’s put up good numbers. He had 19 tackles, 7 TFLs, 2 1/2 sacks, 12 quarterback hurries and one pass breakup for the Panthers.

Cole Welliver, quarterback, senior

High school: Argyle Liberty Christian

The senior and UCONN pledge has put up big-time numbers in his first season with the Warriors. He’s completed 72% of his passes — 113 for 161 — and has thrown for 1,720 yards. He’s thrown 28 touchdowns compared to only two interceptions for Jason Witten’s undefeated squad (7-0).

Bryant Wesco, wide receiver, senior

High school: Midlothian

The top wide receiver in the state has been what you would expect for the Panthers. He has 40 catches for 638 yards and 12 touchdowns, while also adding a punt return for a score. Has multiple touchdowns in four of six games — and his play has been impacted by Duncanville's lopsided leads.

Caleb Williams, quarterback, junior

High school: Crowley

The undefeated Eagles (6-0) have gotten a total of 23 touchdowns, with 19 passing and four on the ground, from Williams. He’s thrown for 1,606 yards — completing 71% of his passes — while his 6.84 yards per carry and 349 yards on the ground leads the team in that category.

-- Cody Thorn | @sblivetx

Lead photo by Robbie Rakestraw