As the crisp autumn air approaches and college football programs across the Centennial State gear up for a new campaign, the Colorado Chapter of the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) is ready to launch another season of recognizing the region’s top gridiron talent.
The first Player of the Week (POW) recipient for the 2026 season will be officially announced on September 1, continuing a proud tradition that began more than two decades ago, in 2002. HISTORY PDF
A Storied Tradition of Recognizing Excellence
Developed in 2002, the NFF Colorado Chapter Player of the Week program highlights standout performances across all levels of collegiate football in the state.
The selection process is a collaborative effort between the chapter’s board of directors and the sports information departments representing all 10 colleges and universities that sponsor varsity football in Colorado. Each week during the season, these stakeholders cast their votes to honor the athletes who shine brightest on the field.
Looking ahead to the upcoming 2026 slate, anticipation is already building. Air Force fullback Owen Allen—one of the conference’s premier returnees for 2026—carries special distinction into the new year, having earned the 14th and final recognition of the 2025 season on December 2, 2025.
All-Time Program Breakdown by Institution
Since its inception, the program has awarded 246 awards to 198 unique players. A look back at the historical distribution illustrates the rich competitive landscape of college football across Colorado:
| School | Total Recipients | Most Recent Honoree & Date |
| Adams State | 9 | Nick Rooney, QB (10/1/2018) |
| Air Force | 37 | Owen Allen, FB (12/2/2025) |
| Colorado | 50 | Kaidon Salter, QB (9/23/2025) |
| Colorado College | 1 | Jay Macias, QB (9/10/2003) |
| Colorado Mesa | 18 | Cole Hansen, QB (11/4/2025) |
| Colorado Mines | 38 | Landon Walker, RB (9/16/2025) |
| Colorado State | 27 | Jace Bellah, DB (11/25/2025) |
| CSU Pueblo | 37 | Roman Fuller (11/18/2025) |
| Fort Lewis | 7 | Jake Penney, LB (10/28/2025) |
| Northern Colorado | 14 | Carver Cheeks, WR (10/21/2025) |
| Western Colorado | 8 | Drew Nash, QB (9/2/2025) |
| TOTALS | 246 | Owen Allen (12/2/2025) |
Looking Forward to September 1
With teams finalized and practices underway, the race for the first weekly honor of 2026 is officially on. Fans, players, and coaches alike will turn their attention to September 1, when the NFF Colorado Chapter reveals who will punch the first ticket to the history books for the 2026 season.
MULTIPLE RECIPIENT
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John Matocha 8, John Matocha, Colorado Mines, QB, 2019-2023
- 6, Cameron McDondle, CSU Pueblo, RB, 2012-2015
- 4, Brad Roberts, Air Force, FB, 2021-2022
- 4, Rodney Stewart, Colorado, RB, 2008-2011
- 4, Travis Hunter, Colorado, WR/CB, 2024
- 3, Kapri Bibbs, Colorado State, RB, 2013
- 3, Justin Dvorak, Colorado Mines, QB, 2014-2016
- 3, Roman Fuller, CSU Pueblo, QB, 2024-2025
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Cameron McDondle 3, Joel Klatt, Colorado, QB, 2003-2005
- 3, Cameron Mayberry, Colorado Mines, RB, 2017-2018
- 3, Steven Montez, Colorado, QB, 2016-2017
- 3, Drew Nash, Western Colorado, QB, 2023, 2025
- 3, David Pesek, Colorado Mines, QB, 2008-2009
- 3, Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, QB, 2023-2024
- 3, Michael Zeman, Colorado Mines, RB, 2019-2021
- 2, Bobby Coy, Colorado Mesa, RB, 2005, 2008
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Travis Hunter 2, Mason Crosby, Colorado, K, 2004-2006
- 2, Stephan Dickens, CSU Pueblo, DB, 2011-2013
- 2, Trevor Eggleston, Adams State, QB, 2009-2010
- 2, Jeremy Fejedelem, Air Force, FS, 2019
- 2, Addison Gillam, Colorado, LB, 2013
- 2, Cody Hawkins, Colorado, QB, 2008-2010
- 2, Karst Hunter, Colorado Mesa, QB, 2021-2022
- 2, Jesse Lewis, CSU Pueblo, RB, 2010-2011
- 2, Adam Matthews, Northern Colorado, RB, 2003
- 2, J.B. Mathews, CSU Pueblo, RB, 2011-2012
- 2, Bernard McDondle, CSU Pueblo, RB, 2015-2016
- 2, Max McLeod, Colorado Mines, WR, 2022-2023
- 2, Brody Oliver, Colorado Mines, WR, 2018
- 2, Paul Richardson, Colorado, WR, 2011-2013
- 2, Reggie Retzlaff, CSU Pueblo, WR, 2024-2025
- 2, Isaiah Sanders, Air Force, QB, 2017-2018
- 2, Adam Saur, Colorado Mines, WR, 2008-2009
- 2, Nick Stevens, Colorado State, QB, 2017
- 2, David Tann, Colorado Mesa, RB, 2016
- 2, Arion Worthman, Air Force, QB, 2016-2017
Back-to-Back weeks
- Kapri Bibbs, Colorado State, RB, 11/11 & 11/18, 2013
- Cameron McDondle, CSU Pueblo, RB, 10/26 & 11/2, 2015
- David Tann, Colorado Mesa, RB, 10/24 & 10/31, 2016
- Michael Zeman, Colorado Mines, RB, 10/28 & 11/4, 2019
- Travis Hunter, Colorado, WR/CB, 9/17 & 9/24, 2024
Most in a season
- 4, Travis Hunter, CU, WR/CB, 9/17, 9/24, 10/26 & 12/3, 2024
- 3, Kapri Bibbs, CSU, RB, 110/21, 1/11 & 11/18, 2013
- 3, John Matocha, Mines, QB, 10/11, 11/1 U 11/29, 2021
- 3, Cameron McDondle, CSUP, RB, 10/5, 10/26 & 11/2, 2015
Two-way “slash” recipients
- Travis Hunter, Colorado, WR/CB, 12/3, 2024, FBS
- Travis Hunter, Colorado, WR/C,B, 10/26, 2024, FBS
- Travis Hunter, Colorado, WR/CB, 9/24, 2024, FBS
- Travis Hunter, Colorado, WR/CB, 9/17, 2024, FBS
- Robert Felberg, Colorado Mesa, QB/WR, 11/2, 2010, D2
NOTE – Incomplete records for the 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2011 seasons.
