Eleven players from three Colorado-based colleges and universities that field football teams have been singled out for preseason recognition by the National Collegiate Football Awards Association. READ MORE
Five of the 11 players are from Colorado, three from the Air Force, and two from Colorado State. Linebackers Blake Fletcher of Air Force (Nagurski & Bednarik) and Gideon ESPN Lampron of Colorado (Butkus & Bednarik) were listed on two award sites.
At the NCAA Division II level, five players from four Colorado schools were listed on the D2Football.com Elite 100 Watch List: wide receiver Marcellus Honeycutt, Jr. (Aurora), CSU Pueblo; defensive lineman Drew Johnson (Salida) and linebacker Ian Loomis (Loveland) of Western Colorado; defensive back Gibson Leafgreen (Aurora) of Colorado Mesa; punter Lucas LeSieur of Colorado Mines.
Sixteen of our 25 NCFAA awards were announced on preseason watch lists between August 3 and 21. Here was the 2026 Preseason Watch List Calendar.
Allstate Wuerffel Trophy
Presented to the player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement by the Wuerffel Foundation.
Bednarik Award
Presented to the college defensive player of the year by the Maxwell Football Club
Biletnikoff Award
Presented to the nation’s outstanding college receiver by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation
Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Presented to the nation’s most outstanding defensive player by the Charlotte Touchdown Club.
Broyles Award
Presented to the nation’s most outstanding assistant coach by the Broyles Foundation
Buddy Teevens Award
Recognizing outstanding achievement on the field and exceptional leadership that leaves a lasting impact on players, coaches and the game of football at large
Burlsworth Trophy
Presented to the most outstanding player who began his career as a walk-on by the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation
Butkus Award
Presented to the nation’s best linebacker by the Butkus Foundation
Davey O’Brien Award
Presented to the nation’s best quarterback by the Davey O’Brien Foundation
Disney Spirit Award
Presented to the most inspirational player, team or figure in college football by Disney Sports
Doak Walker Award
Presented to the nation’s premier running back by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum
Eddie Robinson Award
Presented to the national coach of the year by the Allstate Sugar Bowl and the Football Writers Association of America
George Munger Award
Presented to the college coach of the year by the Maxwell Football Club
Heisman Trophy
Presented to the nation’s most outstanding player by the Heisman Trophy Trust
John Mackey Award
Presented to the nation’s most outstanding tight end by the Friends of John Mackey
Lou Groza Award
Presented to the nation’s top place-kicker by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission
Maxwell Award
Presented to the college player of the year by the Maxwell Football Club
Outland Trophy
Presented to the nation’s most outstanding interior lineman by the Football Writers Association of America
Paul Hornung Award
Presented to the most versatile player in college football by the Louisville Sports Commission
Paycom Jim Thorpe Award
Presented to the nation’s best defensive back by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Paycom
Ray Guy Award
Presented to the college punter of the year by the Augusta (Ga.) Sports Council
Rimington Trophy
Presented to the nation’s premier center by the Boomer Esiason Foundation
Stallings Award
Presented to a college head football coach who is both a humanitarian and an exceptional coach
Walter Camp Award
Presented to the nation’s most outstanding player by the Walter Camp Football Foundation
William V. Campbell Trophy
Presented to the nation’s premier football scholar-athlete by the National Football Foundation
