In a state as immensely rich in talent as Texas, picking most valuable players from an original pool of over 1,000 players is a daunting and seemingly foolhardy venture.  The Super List is first compiled in January immediately following the previous season’s conclusion.  The list grows throughout the off-season and well into the new season until the playoffs conclude.  The process only gets more challenging as the original pool is later narrowed down to All-Region and All-State teams after the season.  The focus then shifts to picking the best from the best.  Dynamic talent returns across the board this year as usual, and it’ll make following this season a real treat for any fan lucky enough to see the elite talent on display. 

          The definition for the term “Most Valuable” is generally at the discretion of the individual when labeling it with questions such as “who is the most talented?” versus “who helps his team the most?”  The following talents can probably answer all of the above.

          Senior leadership is important to have at any position, but nowhere is this more pronounced than quarterback.  Of the 16 state champions crowned this decade so far, only two won it with a non-senior quarterback.  Kolby Gray (Cy Falls), Christian Matthews (Arlington Bowie) and Carson Meger (Plano) are three of the top senior quarterbacks this season.  Meger’s Plano team is highest ranked of those three.  Statistically, these quarterbacks will have few peers this fall.  Cy Ridge senior Russell Shepard could be a 2,000-yard rusher from the QB position.  Junior Matt Brown (Allen) is the top non-senior quarterback.  Brown can produce in the air and on the ground.  If Allen advances to the later rounds this season, Brown will be a primary reason.

          There is game changing talent abound at running back.  Running backs get their hands on the ball more than anyone except the center and quarterback, so they are natural favorites for post-season accolades.  Senior Jonathon Miller (Naaman Forest) is one of the top returning producers in the state along with Mansfield senior Stepfan Taylor.  Seniors Stephen Salinas (SA Southwest) and Dominic Wilkins (Klein Forest) will be among the players chasing the state rushing title this year.  Austin Westlake senior Ryan Swope can produce as both a runner and receiver.  Senior Kasey Carrier (Pearland) and junior Lache Seastrunk (Temple) are two of the most explosive runners in the state.  Plano’s all-purpose standout Rex Burkhead contributes as a runner, receiver and return man.  He’s even passed for a touchdown.  If there’s a player who represents what an MVP is in every sense of the word, it is Rex Burkhead.

          Senior Aaron Fisher (Fossil Ridge) and senior Kris Lott (Plano) are two of the top returning talents at receiver.  These two were among the state leaders last year in receptions and yards.  North Shore tight end Barrett Matthews is a dominant run blocker and strong possession receiver.  Matthews averaged right at 30 yards per catch last year.

          The Hawgs get overlooked for individual awards, but these players obviously have a lot to do with any success an offense enjoys.  Senior Thomas Ashcraft (Cedar Hill), senior Joel Gray (Lewisville Hebron) and senior Garrett Porter (Odessa Permian) are dominant players in the trenches who will be plying their trade and high level Division 1-A universities in 2009.  Junior Chad Lindsay (The Woodlands) is rated as one of the top overall players in the Class of 2010.

          Defensive linemen fall into a similar category as their Hawg counterparts when it comes to individual recognition, but there are some “can’t miss” talents along the front this season.  Lufkin senior JaMarcus McFarland is at the head of the class along with Calvin Howell (SA Warren), Alex Okafor (Pflugerville) and Nikita Whitlock (Wylie).  San Benito’s Arturo Lopez earned all-state honors as a junior last year.

          All five of our 1^st team All-Texas selections at linebacker put up MVP worthy numbers last year.  Chris Williams (Abilene), Bobby Schneider (Colleyville Heritage), Tanner Brock (Copperas Cove), Earnest Norman (Euless Trinity) and Tom Wort (New Braunfels) lead Texas’ linebacker crop this year.  Brock and Wort were named MVPs in their respective 4A districts last year, and were both all-state picks. Wort has become something of an Internet phenomenon due to highlights making the rounds on YouTube.  

          Aldine Eisenhower senior Craig Loston is one of the state’s top rated returning players in the secondary.  Loston first earned all-district recognition as a freshman playing for Big Ike.  Erik Brown (Converse Judson) earned all-state recognition as a junior last year.  Flower Mound senior Collin Ashley also had a very productive junior season.  Plano senior Laron Kelly and Clear Creek senior Marcus Davis are two more of the best Class 5A has to offer in the secondary this season.

          Overall, there are several returning talents capable of scooping post-season awards and it will be interesting to see which of the more known commodities has another great season this fall, and also which newcomers burst onto the scene.