2026 MAC Preseason Award Watchlist Tracker

College football is around the corner, and nothing signifies that more than the release of preseason watchlists.

The 2026 watchlist series launched Monday, Aug. 3 with the release of the Maxwell Award watchlist, and it continues through Aug. 21.

Below we have documented a complete list of MAC players whose names adorn the 16 preseason watchlists recognized by the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) for 2026:

Maxwell Award

Release date: August 3

Who wins this award? “Presented annually to the top player in the nation.”

MAC selections:

• Jordan Gant, RB, Akron (Sr.)
• Broc Lowry, QB, Western Michigan (Jr.)
• Jalen Buckley, RB, Western Michigan (Sr.)

Full list (81 members)

Bronko Nagurski Trophy

Release date: August 4

Who wins this award? “Created in 1993 by the Football Writers Association of America, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy is awarded to the best defensive player in college football and is presented by the Charlotte Touchdown Club.”

MAC selections:

• Bryce Llewellyn, SS, Eastern Michigan (Sr.)
• Josh Franklin, CB, Western Michigan (Sr.)

Full list (68 members)

Outland Trophy

Release date: August 4

Who wins this award? “Presented to the nation’s best interior lineman... Only interior linemen on offense or defense are eligible for the award; ends are not eligible.”

MAC selections:

• Evan Malcore, OT, Miami (OH) (Sr.)
• Chad Schuster, OT, Western Michigan (Sr.)

Full list (49 members)

John Mackey Award

Release date: August 5

Who wins this award? “Presented to the nation’s most outstanding tight end by the Friends of John Mackey.”

MAC selections:

• Joshua Long, TE, Eastern Michigan (Jr.)
• Terik Mulder, TE, Kent State (Sr.)

Full list (43 members)

Rimington Trophy

Release date: August 6

Who wins this award? “... awarded to Division I-A college football’s most outstanding center.”

MAC selections:

• Nicholas Gallegos, C, Eastern Michigan (Sr.)

Full list (40 members)

Lou Groza Award

Release date: August 7

Who wins this award? “The Lou Groza Award is presented annually by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission and given to the best placekicker in college football.”

MAC selections: None

Full list (35 members)

Paul Hornung Award

Release date: August 10

Who wins this award? “The Paul Hornung Award is given annually by the Louisville Sports Commission (LSC) to the most versatile player in major college football.”

MAC selections:

• Keith Reynolds, WR, Miami (OH) (Jr.)

Full list (39 members)

Wuerffel Trophy

Release date: August 11

Who wins this award? “Established in 2005, The Wuerffel Trophy honors college football athletes who are serving others, while also achieving greatness on the football field and in the classroom.”

MAC selections:

• Caden Britton, LS, Ball State (Sr.)
• Stevie Bracey, ILB, Buffalo (Sr.)
• Angel Flores, QB, Central Michigan (Sr.)
• Dennis Strey Jr., OT, Eastern Michigan (Sr.)
• Wayne Harris, WR, Kent State (So.)
• DJ Walker, SS, Ohio (Jr.)
• Derek Houston, ILB, Sacramento State (Jr.)
• Matt Hofer, OT, Toledo (So.)
• Riley Bloch, G, UMass (Jr.)
• Dakari Frazier, DT, Western Michigan (Jr.)

Full list (113 members)

Jim Thorpe Award

Release date: August 12

Who wins this award? “Presented to the nation’s best defensive back in college football.”

MAC selections:

• DJ Walker, SS, Ohio (Jr.)

Full list (35 members)

Butkus Award

Release date: August 13

Who wins this award? “The most impactful linebacker in the game.”

MAC selections:

• Blayne Myrick, OLB, Miami (OH) (Sr.)

Full list (51 members)

Ray Guy Award

Release date: August 14

Who wins this award? “The Ray Guy Award - named for football’s premier punter - honors the nation’s best collegiate punter.”

MAC selections:

• Pierse Stainton, P, Miami (OH) (Sr.)

Full list (21 members)

Walter Camp Award

Release date: August 17

Who wins this award? “Player of the year... voted on by the 138 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors.”

MAC selections:

• Broc Lowry, QB, Western Michigan (Jr.)

Full list (50 members)

Doak Walker Award

Release date: August 18

Who wins this award? “The prestigious Doak Walker Award was created in 1989 to recognize the nation’s premier running back for his accomplishments on the field, achievement in the classroom and citizenship in the community.”

MAC selections:

• Vaughn Blue, RB, Central Michigan (Sr.)
• Braydon Bennett, RB, Eastern Michigan (Sr.)
• CJ Miller, RB, Toledo (Jr.)

Full list (60 members)

Biletnikoff Award

Release date: August 19

Who wins this award? “The Biletnikoff Award is presented annually to the season’s outstanding college football receiver regardless of position (the award defines receiver as any player who catches a pass hence, tight ends, slot receivers and backs, inside receivers, wide receivers, split ends, and running backs are eligible) by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, Inc., (TQCF).”

MAC selections: None

Full list (44 members)

Davey O’Brien Award

Who wins this award? “The Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award. The Davey O’Brien Award honors candidates who exemplify Davey O’Brien’s enduring character while exhibiting teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership in both academics and athletics.”

Release date: August 20

MAC selections:

• Broc Lowry, QB, Western Michigan (Jr.)

Full list (30 members)

Chuck Bednarik Award

Release date: August 21

Who wins this award? “Presented to the college defensive player of the year by the Maxwell Football Club.”

MAC selections:

• DJ Walker, SS, Ohio (Jr.)

Full list (90 members)

Total Appearances

By player:

• Broc Lowry, QB, Western Michigan (Jr.) — 3
• DJ Walker, SS, Ohio (Jr.) — 3
• Braydon Bennett, RB, Eastern Michigan (Sr.) — 1
• Riley Bloch, G, UMass (Jr.) — 1
• Vaughn Blue, RB, Central Michigan (Sr.) — 1
• Stevie Bracey, ILB, Buffalo (Sr.) — 1
• Caden Britton, LS, Ball State (Sr.) — 1
• Jalen Buckley, RB, Western Michigan (Sr.) — 1
• Angel Flores, QB, Central Michigan (Sr.) — 1
• Josh Franklin, CB, Western Michigan (Sr.) — 1
• Dakari Frazier, DT, Western Michigan (Jr.) — 1
• Nicholas Gallegos, C, Eastern Michigan (Sr.) — 1
• Jordan Gant, RB, Akron (Sr.) — 1
• Wayne Harris, WR, Kent State (So.) — 1
• Matt Hofer, OT, Toledo (So.) — 1
• Derek Houston, ILB, Sacramento State (Jr.) — 1
• Bryce Llewellyn, SS, Eastern Michigan (Sr.) — 1
• Joshua Long, TE, Eastern Michigan (Jr.) — 1
• Evan Malcore, OT, Miami (OH) (Sr.) — 1
• CJ Miller, RB, Toledo (Jr.) — 1
• Terik Mulder, TE, Kent State (Sr.) — 1
• Blayne Myrick, OLB, Miami (OH) (Sr.)
• Keith Reynolds, WR, Miami (OH) (Jr.) — 1
• Chad Schuster, OT, Western Michigan (Sr.) — 1
• Pierse Stainton, P, Miami (OH) (Sr.) — 1
• Dennis Strey Jr., OT, Eastern Michigan (Sr.) — 1

By school:

• Western Michigan — 7
• Eastern Michigan — 5
• Miami (OH) — 4
• Ohio — 3
• Central Michigan — 2
• Kent State — 2
• Toledo — 2
• Akron — 1
• Ball State — 1
• Buffalo — 1
• Sacramento State — 1
• UMass — 1
• Bowling Green — 0

The winners of the aforementioned awards will be announced in December. Appearing on a preseason watchlist is not a prerequisite for winning an award.