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Pearland's Joseph Credit (Kansas-signee)
THE PLAYMAKERS: 2025 Gridiron Game-Wreckers // Powered by UTMB Health
Here are the UTMB Football Defensive Players of the Year, giving some well-earned credit to a handful of Southside's dynamic disruptors.
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Kah'ni Watts -- Iowa Colony Football
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Senior safety Kah’ni Watts has undoubtedly flourished in his expanded role this fall, proving capable of fulfilling virtually any task for the Iowa Colony defense. His production speaks for itself: 73 total tackles, 4 interceptions, 6 passes defended, and 2 fumble recoveries — numbers that make a first-team, all-district selection all but assured.
Watts also made headlines recently by flipping his commitment from Houston to Wisconsin, officially signing with the Badgers on Thursday.
His rise comes as Iowa Colony (12–1) prepares for a familiar showdown with district counterpart Randle in the 5A-D2 Region III Final. As noted in the UTMB Offensive Players of the Year edition, both sides can score in bunches, placing a premium on which defense can limit mistakes and generate timely takeaways.
Regardless of how Friday plays out, IC’s Kah’ni Watts deserves recognition for the multi-faceted impact he has delivered throughout 2025.
Joseph Credit -- Pearland Football
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Seldom does one find an individual athlete who can contribute at the level Joseph Credit demonstrated for Pearland’s defensive unit. Granted, an off-ball linebacker like Credit can typically rack up tackles — but the recent Kansas-signee managed to do considerably more.
Of the 94 tackles he accumulated this fall, an impressive 29 came behind the line of scrimmage, including 9 sacks, showcasing his impeccable instincts as a senior captain for the Oilers. He also added an interception, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries — one of which he returned for a touchdown — further highlighting his all-around impact.
Suffice it to say, Credit was ultimately named the District 22-6A MVP, a distinction rarely awarded to a defensive player. Yet this one feels entirely fitting, considering he served as the heart and soul of a Pearland squad that capped off 2025 with an undefeated district title and an 11–1 final record.
Ashton Ruffin -- La Porte Football
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
After earning first-team all-district honors for his work on defense a year ago, senior Ashton Ruffin affirmed this fall that he could be equally valuable to La Porte on the other side of the ball — if not more so. In a season that saw the Bulldogs finish 9–2 and secure back-to-back undefeated district championships, Ruffin’s influence was patently unmistakable.
From his linebacker post, Ruffin delivered a team-leading 7 sacks and 48 total tackles, production impressive enough on its own. Factor in that he also piled up nearly 1,300 scrimmage yards and 17 touchdowns from the tailback spot, and it becomes coherent how he ultimately earned District 11-5A-D1 MVP honors by season’s end.
And while his college recruitment currently remains open, it seems only a matter of time before Ruffin lands with a future program — one sure to benefit from the same versatility and consistency he brought to La Porte over the years.
Tommy Baker -- Shadow Creek Football
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Tommy Baker — also known as Giavani Baker — was a genuine difference-maker for Shadow Creek this fall. As a senior linebacker and team captain, he anchored a defense that allowed just 18 points per game, guiding the Sharks to an 8–4 finish and a run to the 6A-DII Area Round.
Baker’s numbers stand out: 69 tackles, 3 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, and 2 passes defended. Yet stats only tell part of the story. His timing and ability to read plays before they developed made him a constant threat — a disruptor who forced opponents to adjust their game plan.
For the second consecutive year, he was named District 22-6A Defensive MVP, a testament not only to his production but also to the leadership and consistency he delivered on every snap. Replacing that level of tenacity will be no small task, but one thing is certain: Tommy Baker left an indelible mark on Shadow Creek football.
Brynden Mack -- Angleton Football
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Angleton’s front-seven set the tone for the Wildcats this fall, combining relentless pressure with shutdown run-stopping to make life difficult for every opponent. Central to that effort was Brynden Mack, a senior defensive end whose performance earned him District 11-5A-D1 Defensive MVP honors.
Mack recorded 46 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and led the team with 7 sacks, sharing the spotlight with fellow senior Kawarren Scott on the line. His ability to disrupt plays before they developed created momentum-shifting opportunities and consistently put Angleton in control of games.
The Wildcats allowed just 15 points per contest, a figure that reflects both Mack’s impact and the cohesion of the unit in front of him. In totality, the group finished the 2025 campaign with a 9–2 record, taking second in the district and marking the program’s fifth straight postseason appearance (excluding the COVID-impacted 2020 season).