A look at national award watch list preseason selections, featuring student-athletes from across the Mountain West. 

MAXWELL AWARD
The Maxwell Football Club announced its watch list for the 90th Maxwell Award on Aug. 3, presented annually to the outstanding player in college football. The Maxwell Award watch list features six Mountain West student-athletes, the most amongst the non-autonomous 6 conferences. 



OUTLAND TROPHY
The Outland Trophy, celebrating its 81st year since its founding, is given to the best interior lineman in college football. The Mountain West has three preseason selections, tied for the most among the non-autonomous 6 conferences. 



BRONKO NAGURSKI TROPHY
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is presented annually to the National Defensive Player of the Year. The Mountain West has three preseason selections, tied for the most among the non-autonomous 6 conferences. 



JOHN MACKEY AWARD
The John Mackey Award is presented annually to college football's most outstanding tight end.



PAUL HORNUNG AWARD
The Paul Hornung Award is presented annually by the Louisville Sports Commission to the most versatile player in major college football in memory of the late football legend and Louisville native Paul Hornung. A pair of Mountain West student-athletes were among the 39-player preseason watch list. 



ALLSTATE WUERFFEL TROPHY
The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy honors college football’s most impactful leaders in community service, recognizing the FBS player who best combines exemplary service with leadership and achievement on and off the field. The Mountain West is represented with seven student-athletes on this watchlist.



LOMBARDI AWARD
The Lombardi Award Committee announced the 2026 preseason watchlist with 54 linemen and linebackers on the initial watch list. As of Aug. 11, two Mountain West student-athletes are on the preseason watchlist but new players may join this group as the season progresses. 



JIM THORPE AWARD
The Jim Thorpe Award is given annually to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character. 

 

BUTKUS AWARD
The Butkus Award honors the nation’s best linebacker.

 

WALTER CAMP PLAYER OF THE YEAR
The Walter Camp Player of the Year honor will be narrowed to 10 semi-finalists in early November and three finalists will be announced in early December. The 2026 Walter Camp Player of the Year recipient, which is voted on by the 138 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors, will be announced in the second week of December.



DOAK WALKER AWARD
The Doak Walker Award was established to honor the nation's most outstanding collegiate running back. 



CHUCK BEDNARIK AWARD
The Chuck Bednarik Award has been presented annually to the outstanding defensive player in college football since 1994



GOLDEN ARM AWARD
The Golden Arm Award, presented annually to the top senior or upperclassmen quarterback by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation encapsulates all that is positive in college sports.
 


DAVEY O'BRIEN AWARD
The Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award is presented annually to the nation’s best college quarterback and is the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award.