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2026 PRESEASON WATCH LIST
The Lombardi Award™ Committee proudly unveils the 2026 Preseason Watchlist, spotlighting 54 of the nation’s top linemen and linebackers from across all FBS conferences and independents.
This year’s list features a balanced mix of offensive and defensive standouts, from dominant tackles and guards to elite linebackers and ends, representing powerhouse programs nationwide. With strong showings from the SEC (16), Big Ten (17), Big 12 (6), and ACC (4), plus top talent from other conferences, the watchlist celebrates excellence across college football.
As the season progresses, new breakout players may join this prestigious group, continuing the Lombardi legacy of grit, leadership, and excellence on and off the field.
CONFERENCE
SCHOOL
NAME
POSITION
AAC
AAC
ACC
ACC
Big 12
Big 12
Big 12
Big 12
Big 12
Big 12
Big Ten
Big Ten
Big Ten
Big Ten
Big Ten
Big Ten
Big Ten
Big Ten
Big Ten
Big Ten
Big Ten
Big Ten
Big Ten
Big Ten
Big Ten
Big Ten
Big Ten
C-USA
C-USA
C-USA
Independents
Independents
MAC
Mountain West
Mountain West
Pac-12
SEC
SEC
SEC
SEC
SEC
SEC
SEC
SEC
SEC
SEC
SEC
SEC
SEC
SEC
SEC
SEC
Sun Belt
Sun Belt
Army
Army
Clemson
Louisville
BYU
Cincinnati
Houston
Texas Tech
Texas Tech
Texas Tech
Indiana
Indiana
Indiana
Indiana
Iowa
Iowa
Michigan
Minnesota
Ohio State
Ohio State
Ohio State
Oregon
Oregon
Oregon
Oregon
Oregon
Penn State
Delaware
Kennesaw State
Louisiana Tech
Notre Dame
Notre Dame
Western Michigan
Nevada
New Mexico
Boise State
Auburn
Georgia
LSU
LSU
LSU
LSU
Missouri
Oklahoma
Ole Miss
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Texas
Texas
Texas A&M
Texas A&M
James Madison
Troy
Brady Small
Paolo Gennarelli
Sammy Brown
Clev Lubin
Cade Uluave
Evan Tengesdahl
Shadre Hurst
Terrance Carter Jr.
A.J. Holmes Jr.
Ben Roberts
Rolijah Hardy
Isaiah Jones
Carter Smith
Tyrique Tucker
Trevor Lauck
Kade Pieper
John Henry Daley
Anthony Smith
Carson Hinzman
Luke Montgomery
Austin Siereveld
Jamari Johnson
Iapani Laloulu
Teitum Tuioti
Matayo Uiagalelei
A'Mauri Washington
Benjamin Brahmer
Steven Demboski
Baron Hopson
Kolbe Fields
Anthonie Knapp
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa
Chad Schuster
Dylan LaBarbera
Jaxton Eck
Jayden Virgin-Morgan
Xavier Atkins
Drew Bobo
Trey'Dez Green
Jordan Seaton
Princewill Umanmielen
Whit Weeks
Cayden Green
David Stone
Will Echoles
Dylan Stewart
Wendell Moe Jr.
Rasheem Biles
Trevor Goosby
Colin Simmons
DJ Hicks
Anto Saka
Zach Greenberg
Donnie Smith
C
OG
LB
Edge
LB
OG
OG
TE
DT
LB
LB
LB
OT
DT
OT
C
DE
DE
C
OG
OG
TE
C
EDGE
EDGE
DT
TE
C
LB
LB
OG
LB
OT
EDGE
LB
EDGE
LB
C
TE
OT
DE
LB
OT
DT
DT
EDGE
OG
LB
OT
Edge
DT
DE
C
EDGE
