The Walter Camp Football Foundation has announced the names of fifty “players to watch” for its 2026 Player of the Year award, the nation’s fourth-oldest individual college football accolade. The 2026 watch list includes 41 offensive players (22 quarterbacks, 11 running backs and eight receivers/tight ends) along with nine from the defensive side of the ball.

Players from 38 different schools representing 11 conferences (including independents) are represented on the preseason watch list.   Texas has four players on the watch list, while Miami has three.  Seven schools (Georgia, Indiana, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Texas A&M) each have two.

“We are proud to continue the great work of Walter Camp, considered the father of American football, and recognize the very best college football players in the nation,” Foundation president Michael Madera said. “This watch list is a great start to what is shaping up to be another exciting year of college football.”

Earlier in the summer, the Foundation announced its 2026 preseason All-American teams.  Walter Camp is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious collegiate football All-America team.

The 2026 Player of Year watch list 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.

Walter Camp Player of Year Facts

• First awarded in 1967, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza was the 59th recipient of the Walter Camp Player of Year award in 2025.
• Mendoza was the 24th quarterback to win the award. There have been 25 running backs, five wide receivers, one wide receiver/defensive back, one tight end and three defensive players to earn the honor.
• Colorado’s Travis Hunter (2024) was the first two-way player to win the award.
• Three players – USC’s OJ. Simpson (1967, 1968), Ohio State’s Archie Griffin (1974, 1975) and Texas’ Colt McCoy (2008, 2009) have been multiple winners.
• Three defensive players have won the award – Pittsburgh’s Hugh Green (1980), Michigan’s Charles Woodson (1997) and Notre Dame’s Manti Teo (2012).
• Players from 26 different schools have earned the award. USC has won the most Player of Year awards (7), followed by Oklahoma, Ohio State and Notre Dame with four each.

Please note: Appearing on the preseason Watch List is not a requirement for a player to win the Walter Camp award or be named to the All-America team.

2026 Walter Camp Player of Year Preseason Players to Watch  

Micah Alejado, QB, sophomore, Hawaii

Xavier Atkins, LB, junior, Auburn *

C.J. Bailey, QB, junior, North Carolina State

Charlie Becker, WR, junior, Indiana

Rasheem Biles, LB, senior, Texas *

DeSean Bishop, RB, junior, Tennessee

Isaac Brown, RB, junior, Louisville

Sammy Brown, LB, junior, Clemson *

C.J. Carr, QB, junior, Notre Dame

Trinidad Chambliss, QB, senior, Ole Miss

Cam Coleman, WR, junior, Texas #

Cam Cook, RB, senior, West Virginia #

Mario Craver, WR, junior, Texas A&M

Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, QB, senior, Marshall

Devon Dampier, QB, senior, Utah

Cameron Dickey, RB, junior, Texas Tech

KJ Duff, WR, junior, Rutgers #

Noah Fifita, QB, senior, Arizona

Mark Fletcher, Jr., RB, senior, Miami

Trey’Dez Green, TE, junior, LSU *

Ahmad Hardy, RB, junior, Missouri *

Caleb Hawkins, RB, sophomore, Oklahoma State #

Kevin Jennings, QB, senior, SMU

Kewan Lacy, RB, junior, Ole Miss *

Broc Lowry, QB, junior, Western Michigan

Maddux Madsen, QB, senior, Boise State

Jayden Maiava, QB, senior, USC

Arch Manning, QB, sophomore, Texas *

LJ Martin, RB, senior, BYU

John Mateer, QB, senior, Oklahoma

Owen McCown, QB, senior, UTSA

Darian Mensah, QB, Junior, Miami

Nick Minicucci, QB, senior, Delaware

Dante Moore, QB, senior, Oregon

Leonard Moore, DB, junior, Notre Dame *

Marcel Reed, QB, junior, Texas A&M

Duce Robinson, WR, senior, Florida State

Ellis Robinson IV, DB, sophomore, Georgia #

Julian Sayin, QB, sophomore, Ohio State #

LaNorris Sellers, QB, junior, South Carolina

Colin Simmons, Edge, junior, Texas *

Anthony Smith, Edge, senior, Minnesota #

Jeremiah Smith, WR, junior, Ohio State *

Dylan Stewart, Edge, junior, South Carolina *

Gunner Stockton, QB, Senior, Georgia

Lucky Sutton, RB, senior, San Diego State

Jai’Den Thomas, RB, senior, UNLV

Malachi Toney, WR/PR, sophomore, Miami *

Tyrique Tucker, DL, senior, Indiana *

Bryce Underwood, QB, sophomore, Michigan

* 2026 Walter Camp Preseason First Team All-American

# – 2026 Walter Camp Preseason Second Team All-American

Considered the “Father of American Football,” Walter Camp introduced the play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side in 1880.   Nine years later, Mr. Camp, then the Yale University head coach, selected the first-ever college football All-America team. The Walter Camp Football Foundation – a New Haven-based all-volunteer group – was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All-America team.  Visit www.waltercamp.org for more information.

The Walter Camp Foundation is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football’s most prestigious awards. The NCFAA’s 25 awards have honored nearly 1,000 recipients since 1935. This season, 12 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday.  Sixteen NCFAA members are unveiling preseason watch lists over a three-week period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award’s preseason candidates. Following is the remaining 2026 preseason watch list calendar:

Mon., Aug. 3: Maxwell Award                                      

Tue., Aug. 4: Outland Trophy and Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Wed., Aug. 5: John Mackey Award                              

Thu., Aug. 6: Rimington Trophy
Fri., Aug. 7: Lou Groza Award                                        

Mon., Aug. 10: Paul Hornung Award
Tue., Aug. 11: Allstate Wuerffel Trophy                     

Wed., Aug. 12: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award
Thu., Aug. 13: Butkus Award                                         

Fri., Aug. 14: Ray Guy Award
Mon., Aug. 17: Walter Camp Award                         

Tue., Aug. 18: Doak Walker Award
Wed., Aug. 19: Biletnikoff Award                                 

Thu., Aug. 20: Davey O’Brien Award
Fri., Aug. 21: Bednarik Award

For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA and Instagram @TheNCFAA.

The Walter Camp Foundation recently announced its new slate of leadership officers for 2026-27.

President:  Michael Madera, member since 1996 (President, 2017-19)

President-elect:  Dr. Greg Rocchio,  member since 2009

Vice-President:  Michael Leone, member since 2013

Vice-President: Jim Monico, member since 1997 (President, 2013-15)

Treasurer:  Jeremy Rosner, member since 2009

Secretary:  Tony Mortali, member since 1992 (President, 2022-24)

Note:  Outgoing President John Barbarotta was the first two-time President in the history of the Foundation…. Madera, Monico and Mortali are all Past Presidents of the Foundation.

Be sure to follow the Walter Camp Football Foundation official social media accounts

X (formerly Twitter) – @WalterCampFF

Facebook – Walter Camp FF

Instagram – @waltercampfootball 

LinkedIn – Walter Camp Football Foundation

Considered the “Father of American Football,” Walter Camp introduced the play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side in 1880.   Nine years later, Mr. Camp, then the Yale University head coach, selected the first-ever college football All-America team.

The Walter Camp Football Foundation – a New Haven-based all-volunteer group – was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All-America team. 

Be sure to follow the Walter Camp Football Foundation official social media accounts

X (formerly Twitter) – @WalterCampFF

Facebook – Walter Camp FF

Instagram – @waltercampfootball 

LinkedIn – Walter Camp Football Foundation

The Walter Camp Football Foundation announced that five distinguished figures who have made a lasting impact on the sport will be honored at the 2026 Walter Camp Ring of Honor Dinner on Sunday, July 12 at Race Brook Country Club in Orange, CT.

Tickets to the Ring of Honor dinner are $175 each and can be purchased online or by contacting Ernie Williams at (203) 530-8379.

This year’s Ring of Honor recipients are Morten Andersen and David Fulcher, while 2000 Walter Camp Player of Year and current University of Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel is being recognized as the Man of the Year.

The Ring of Honor Dinner, one of the Foundation’s signature annual events, celebrates individuals whose excellence on and off the field reflects the values of Walter Camp, the “Father of American Football.” The 2026 class represents a remarkable cross‑section of athletic greatness, coaching success, and influential service to the sport.

Morten Andersen (Michigan State) – Ring of Honor – Widely regarded as the gold standard for placekicking excellence. Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, Andersen came to the United States as a high‑school exchange student and went on to become a trailblazer for international athletes in American football.

At Michigan State, Andersen earned Walter Camp All‑America honors in 1981 before being selected by the New Orleans Saints in the 1982 NFL Draft. Over a remarkable 25‑year NFL career, he became one of the league’s most durable and productive players, competing for the Saints, Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, and Minnesota Vikings.

Andersen retired as the NFL’s all‑time leading scorer with 2,544 points, a record that stood for more than a decade. He remains all‑time leading scorer for both the Saints and Falcons and holds numerous league marks, including games played, field goals made, and points scored after age 40. His signature moments—most notably the game‑winning kick that sent Atlanta to its first Super Bowl in 1998—cemented his legacy as one of the sport’s most clutch performers.

In 2008, Andersen was named the Walter Camp Man of the Year.  In 2017, Andersen was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, becoming just the second pure placekicker ever enshrined. His career is celebrated not only for its longevity and production, but for the professionalism, precision, and competitive spirit that defined his approach to the game.

Today, Andersen remains an ambassador for football, working in media, youth development, and philanthropic initiatives while continuing to inspire the next generation of specialists.

David Fulcher (Arizona State) – Ring of Honor – A standout at Arizona State University, Fulcher was a three-time All-Pac-10 honoree and earned Walter Camp All-America honors in 1985.

Selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1986 NFL Draft, Fulcher quickly emerged as one of the league’s premier defensive playmakers. A three‑time Pro Bowler and 1988 First Team All‑Pro, he anchored the Bengals’ secondary during their run to Super Bowl XXIII, earning a reputation as a fierce hitter with exceptional coverage ability.

Off the field, Fulcher has built an equally impactful legacy. He has dedicated his post‑playing career to community service, youth mentorship, and advocacy, including significant work supporting individuals living with multiple sclerosis. His leadership, character, and commitment to giving back have made him a respected figure far beyond the football field.

A great friend to the Walter Camp Foundation, Fulcher has served as the Alumni President and is a frequent attendee to events.

Josh Heupel (Okahoma) – Man of the Year – A national championship quarterback at Oklahoma and one of college football’s most innovative head coaches, Heupel has revitalized programs with his high‑powered offensive philosophy and player‑first leadership. His impact continues to shape the modern college game.

A standout at the University of Oklahoma, Heupel led the Sooners to the 2000 national championship, earning Walter Camp Player of the Year, Heisman Trophy runner‑up, and unanimous First Team All‑America honors. His leadership, accuracy, and command of the offense made him one of the most decorated quarterbacks of his era and a central figure in Oklahoma’s return to national prominence.

Following his playing career, Heupel transitioned seamlessly into coaching, quickly earning a reputation as one of the brightest offensive minds in the game. His quarterback development and high‑tempo, high‑efficiency system helped elevate programs at Oklahoma, Utah State, and Missouri before he became head coach at UCF, where he posted a 28–8 record and led the Knights to multiple Top‑25 finishes.

In 2021, Heupel took over at the University of Tennessee and engineered one of the most dramatic turnarounds in SEC history. Under his leadership, the Volunteers have become known for their explosive offense, elite quarterback play, and national relevance—highlighted by an 11‑2 season in 2022, a New Year’s Six bowl victory, and Tennessee’s first No. 1 ranking in the College Football Playoff era.

Respected for his authenticity, player‑first culture, and innovative approach to the modern game, Heupel continues to shape the trajectory of college football while inspiring the next generation of student‑athletes.

Robert Berchem – Champion of Community Award – A longtime supporter, advisor, and champion of the Walter Camp Football Foundation, Robert (Bob) Berchem has played a role in strengthening the organization’s mission, outreach, and community presence.

Bob serves as President of Berchem Moses PC and Chair of its Business Services Department. He graduated with honors from Fairfield University, and from Villanova Law School.  Bob was awarded a William Cook Fellowship by the University of Michigan’s Law School from which received his Masters of Law in 1967. Bob then returned to Milford and joined a local two-person general practice law firm.  During the next 55 years, he brought the firm to statewide prominence. Berchem Moses PC now has over thirty-five lawyers and has added an additional office in Westport, Connecticut.

Bob has served as a Trustee of Fairfield University and as Chair of the University of Bridgeport Board of Trustees.  Consistent with Bob’s willingness to give back to the community, Berchem Moses PC has been a leading contributor to countless charitable organizations in greater Milford and beyond. Bob has given his time to many local organizations, including the Milford Historic District Commission which he chairs, the Milford Jaycees, the Milford Orange YMCA, Bridgeport Hospital and the Cardinal Shehan Center.  Bob has been a member of the Board of Directors of Boys and Girls Village and is a member and former President of Race Brook Country Club.

John Bianco – Sports Communicator Award – A respected communications executive and longtime advocate for student‑athletes, John Bianco has been instrumental in shaping the public voice of major college football programs. His professionalism and dedication have made him one of the most trusted figures in collegiate athletics.

The Walter Camp Sports Communicator award is named in memory of Bill Keish, who was a longtime Foundation member and chairman of the public relations committee. The award originated as the Foundation’s “Media Appreciation” award. It was awarded to local sports media professionals in recognition of their contributions on behalf of the WCFF. It has recently been expanded to a broader scope, recognizing contributions to sports communications. Bianco joins Steve Roe (Iowa), Tim Tessalone (USC) and Mark Cohen (TCU) as recipients of the award.

Bianco has been working with Texas Athletics for the past 32 years in a multitude of different capacities.

Currently the Senior Associate Athletics Director, Communications – Football, John’s current role sees him working with many of the biggest media members in the entire country and providing them amazing support as they cover Longhorn Athletics.

A member of the College Sports Communicators Hall of Fame, Bianco was inducted into the Texas Athletics Hall of Honor in 2016 and has taken pride working for an athletics program that has an incredible tradition of success and produces elite student-athletes across all sports. Bianco has promoted a multitude of Longhorn Walter Camp All-Americans in his 30-plus years, including two-time Player of the Year Colt McCoy (2008 and 2009).

Walter Camp Ring of Honor Recipients

2026 – Morten Andersen (Michigan State), David Fulcher (Arizona State)

2025 – George Rogers (South Carolina), Jeff Burris (Notre Dame)

2024 – Will Shields (Nebraska), Charlie Ward (Florida State)

2023 – Jimbo Covert (Pittsburgh), Kellen Winslow (Missouri)

2022 – Archie Griffin (The Ohio State University), Ty Law (Michigan)

2021 – Tommie Frazier (Nebraska), Cornelius Bennett (Alabama), Hugh Green (Pittsburgh)

2020 – No recipients

2019 – Tony Dorsett (Pittsburgh), Tim Brown (Notre Dame)

2018 – Herschel Walker (Georgia)

About the Walter Camp Football Foundation

Considered the “Father of American Football,” Walter Camp introduced the play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side in 1880.   Nine years later, Mr. Camp, then the Yale University head coach, selected the first-ever college football All-America team. The Walter Camp Football Foundation – a New Haven-based all-volunteer group – was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All-America team. 

www.waltercamp.org

Sixteen former Walter Camp All-Americans were selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23, led by 2025 Walter Camp Player of the Year Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana), who was the first overall selection by the Las Vegas Raiders.

All told, 30 All-Americans were selected in the three-day, seven-round draft, which was held in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Mendoza becomes the 12th Walter Camp Player of the Year winner (first awarded in 1967) to also be selected as the first pick in the NFL Draft.    Current Chicago Bear quarterback and 2022 Walter Camp Player of the Year Caleb Williams (USC) was selected first in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Other Walter Camp Players of Year who were drafted first — Joe Burrow, USC, 2020; Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma, 2018; Jameis Winston, Florida State, 2015; Andrew Luck, Stanford, 2012; Cam Newton, Auburn, 2011; Vinny Testaverde, Miami, 1987; Bo Jackson, Auburn, 1986; Billy Sims, Oklahoma, 1980; Jim Plunkett, Stanford, 1971; O.J. Simpson, USC, 1969

The Walter Camp All-America Teams, first selected by the “Father of American Football” Walter Camp in 1889, is the nation’s oldest All-America team.   The 2025 team was the 136th edition.  

First Team All-America

Fernando Mendoza, QB Indiana – 1st round, 1st pick, Las Vegas Raiders

David Bailey, LB, Texas Tech – 1st round, 2nd pick, New York Jets

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame – 1st round, 3rd pick, Arizona Cardinals

Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State – 1st round, 5th pick, New York Giants

Mansoor Delane, DB, LSU – 1st round, 6th pick, Kansas City Chiefs

Spencer Fano, OL, Utah – 1st round, 9th pick, Cleveland Browns

Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami – 1st round, 10th pick, New York Giants

Caleb Downs, DB, Ohio State – 1st round, 11th pick, Dallas Cowboys

Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama – 1st round, 12th pick, Miami Dolphins

Rueben Bain, Jr., DL, Miami – 1st round, 15th pick, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Makai Lemon, WR, USC – 1st round, 20th pick, Philadelphia Eagles

Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M, 2nd round, 41st pick, Cincinnati Bengals

Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech, 2nd round, 43rd pick, Miami Dolphins

Eli Stowers, T, Vanderbilt, 2nd round, 54th pick, Philadelphia Eagles

Kaden Wetjen, KR/WR, Iowa, 4th round, 121st pick, Pittsburgh Steelers

Second Team All-Americans

Olaivavega Ioane, OL, Penn State – 1st round, 14th pick, Baltimore Ravens

Kenyon Sadiq, DL, Oregon – 1st round, 16th pick, New York Jets

Dillon Thieneman, DB, Oregon – 1st round, 25th pick, Chicago Bears

Keylan Rutledge, OL, Georgia Tech – 1st round, 26th pick, Houston Texans

Jadarian Price, KR/RB, Notre Dame – 1st round, 32nd pick, Seattle Seahawks

D’Angelo Ponds, DB, Indiana – 2nd round, 50th pick, New York Jets

CJ Allen, LB, Georgia – 2nd round, 53rd pick, Indianapolis Colts

Keagan Trost, OL, Missouri – 3rd round, 93rd pick, Los Angeles Rams

Skyler Bell, WR, Connecticut – 4th round, 125th pick, Buffalo Bills

Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska, 5th round, 161st pick, Kansas City Chiefs

Hezekiah Masses, CB, California, 5th round, 175th pick, Las Vegas Raiders

Brian Parker II, C, Duke, 6th round, 189th pick, Cincinnati Bengals

Caden Curry, Edge, Ohio State, 6th round, 214th pick, Indianapolis Colts

Landon Robinson, OL, Navy, 7th round, 226th pick, Cincinnati Bengals

Red Murdock, LB, Buffalo, 7th round, 257th pick, Denver Broncos