The road to the 2026 college football season is underway, and Pac-12 student-athletes and coaches are earning national attention across preseason accolades. For a recap of the latest national award watch list selections, including players from across the league, follow along here as the Pac-12's top talent is recognized among the nation's best heading into 2026.
Aug. 24, 2026 - Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award
The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award recognizes the top offensive player in Division I football who also exhibits the enduring characteristics that define Earl Campbell: integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community and tenacity; specifically, tenacity to persist and determination to overcome adversity and injury in pursuit of reaching goals. In addition, the nominee must meet one or more of the following criteria: Played football at and graduated from a Texas High School and/or currently playing at Texas D1 four-year college.
Aug. 24, 2026 - Manning Award
The Manning Award honors the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning Family. It is the only major quarterback award that includes candidates' performances during the post season in determining their winner.
Aug. 20, 2026 - Chuck Bednarik Award
The Chuck Bednarik Award has recognized the top defensive player in college football, and is selected by the Maxwell Football Club.
Aug. 20, 2026 - Comeback Player of the Year
The Comeback Player of the Year award has recognized college football student-athletes for overcoming injury, illness, or other circumstances. At the conclusion of each season, in a vote by a panel of college football writers, editors, and sports information directors.
Aug. 20, 2026 - Panini Senior Bowl Top 300
The Senior Bowl Top 300 represents more than just a preseason watch list, it reflects the highest standards in college football. Being named to the Top 300 is a significant honor and signals that a player is viewed among the nation's premier NFL Draft prospects. Only draft-eligible players are included.
Aug. 20, 2026 - Davey O'Brien Award
The Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award is presented annually to the nation’s best college quarterback
Aug. 19, 2026 - Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award is presented annually to the nation’s top upperclassman quarterback by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, honors more than athletic performance. While on-field success is essential, this award looks beyond statistics and scoreboards. It recognizes student-athletes who demonstrate character, citizenship, integrity, and respect for the game.
Aug. 19, 2026 - Biletnikoff Award
The Biletnikoff Award is presented annually to the nation's best pass-catcher. Created in 1994 by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, any NCAA Division I FBS player who catches a forward pass is eligible, making it a top honor primarily won by wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs.
Aug. 18, 2026 - Doak Walker Award
The Doak Walker Award is presented annually to the nation's best running back. Established in 1990 and managed by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum, the award is named after SMU legendary three-time All-America running back Doak Walker.
Aug. 17, 2026 - Walter Camp Player of the Year
The Walter Camp Player of the Year Award is presented to the nation's bes overall FBS player, voted on by NCAA Division I FBS head coaches and sports information directors.
Aug. 14, 2026 - Ray Guy Award
The Ray Guy Award - named for football's premier punter - honors the nation's best collegiate punter in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The Augusta Sports Council created the Ray Guy Award in 2000 to honor Thomson, Georgia native and College and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, Ray Guy. Among the statistics used to identify the winner are net punting average, percentage of punts inside the 20-yard line, and percentage of punts not returned, with particular emphasis placed on net punting average.
Aug. 12, 2026 - Paycom Jim Thorpe Award
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is given annually to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character.
Aug. 11, 2026 - Lombardi Award
The Lombardi Award is presented annually to college football’s most outstanding lineman or linebacker who best epitomizes his values of leadership, courage, performance, and discipline on and off the field.
Aug. 11, 2026 - Allstate Wuerffel Trophy
The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy honors Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) players who lead through community service while excelling in the classroom and on the field. As college football’s premier award for community service, the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy recognizes student-athletes who use their platforms to serve others and make a positive impact in their communities. Named after Danny Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman Trophy winner and former University of Florida quarterback, the award reflects his lifelong commitment to leadership, service and unity.
Aug. 10, 2026 - Bruce Feldman's Freaks List (The Athletic)
The Athletic's Bruce Feldman puts together the annual Freaks List, which highlights the top-100 players who were just
different. The “freak” athletes. The guys at whom teammates and coaches marveled. Players who could jump ridiculously high or far (usually both) or run exceptionally fast for someone who was 325 pounds or 6-foot-7.
Aug. 10, 2026 - 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.
Aug. 7, 2026 - Lou Groza Collegiate Placekicker Award
The Lou Groza Award is presented annually to the most outstanding kicker in NCAA Division I College Football. The Award is named for National Football League Hall of Fame kicker Lou “The Toe” Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Groza won four NFL championships with Cleveland and was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954. Although an All-Pro offensive lineman as well, Groza ushered in the notion that there should be a place on an NFL roster for a kicker.
Aug. 6, 2026 - Rimington Trophy
The Rimington Trophy is presented annually to the most outstanding center in NCAA Division I College Football.
Aug. 5, 2026 - John Mackey Award
The John Mackey Award is presented annually to the most outstanding collegiate tight end in college football. Named in honor of Pro Football Hall of Famer John Mackey, the award has recognized the nation's top tight end since 2000.
Aug. 4, 2026 - Bronko Nagurski Trophy
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is awarded to the nation’s defensive player of the year and are presented by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and the Charlotte Touchdown Club.
Aug. 4, 2026 - Outland Trophy
The Outland Trophy is awarded to the nation’s top interior offensive lineman as voted by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) All-America Committee after input from the association’s full membership.
Aug. 3, 2026 - Maxwell Award
The Maxwell Award is presented annually to the outstanding player in college football. The Maxwell Award has been presented to the College Player of the Year since 1937 and is named in honor of Robert "Tiny" Maxwell, who was a former standout at Swarthmore College and a renowned sportswriter and football official.
July 20, 2026 - Allstate AFCA Good Works Team
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team recognizes college football student-athletes who demonstrate exceptional commitment to community service, academics and athletics. Established in 1992 and presented by Allstate since 2008, the program honors players who use their platforms to strengthen communities and support causes important to them.
Pac-12 Student-Athletes and Coaches Recognized
July 20, 2026 -
Shriners Children's East-West Bowl 1000
The Shriners Children’s East-West Bowl 1000 serves as a look into our scouting process, as well as begin to preview college players who are currently all-star game eligible for the 2027 Shriners Children’s East-West Bowl and 2027 NFL Draft class.
The Shriners Children’s East-West Bowl is an all-star event that will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington,TX on February 4, 2027. Selected players will be coached by NFL coaches, in an NFL facility, and will have access to NFL-level resources, facilities, player-friendly schedules, and opportunities at the highest level.
Twenty-six Pac-12 players were selected as players to watch, led by seven Boise State Broncos.
Pac-12 Student-Athletes Recognized
July 9, 2026 - The Dodd Trophy
Managed by Peach Bowl, Inc., The Dodd Trophy celebrates the head coach of a team who enjoys success on the gridiron, while also stressing the importance of
scholarship, leadership and integrity – the three pillars of legendary coach Bobby Dodd's coaching philosophy. The award was established to honor the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division 1A) head football coach whose program represents the highest ideals on and off the field.
Pac-12 Head Coaches Recognized