LIBERTY, Mo. - The Fred Mitchell Award Selection Committee has announced the 2026 Preseason Watch List for the 18th annual Fred Mitchell Award, recognizing the nation's top place-kickers competing at the FCS, Division II, Division III, NAIA, and NJCAA levels of college football. Among the preseason honorees is William Jewell sophomore Bleu Renfrow, one of 12 Division II players to make the list.
The Watch List includes outstanding kickers who have distinguished themselves through their performances on the field while also demonstrating leadership, service, and commitment to their communities. Throughout the season, the Selection Committee will continue to evaluate kickers based on field goal accuracy, distance, clutch performance, and continued excellence in community service.
Renfrow shined as a rookie for the Cardinals, assuming both punting and kicking duties. In 2025, he was 11-of-16 in field goal attempts, with a season long of 52 yards, matching Jewell's longest of the NCAA era, and was 5-for-7 from beyond 40 yards. Additionally, he averaged 41.30 yards per punt, placing 12 inside the 20 yard line in his first season, while also averaging 57.5 yards per kick off.
"We are proud to present the 2026 Watch List for the annual Fred Mitchell Award, acknowledging the past performances and future expectations on and off the field for these talented young men," said Mitchell. "Over the past 17 years, we have had kickers on the Watch List succeed in the NFL and CFL, and not just the winners. Jason Myers, for example, was on our Watch List in 2012 from Marist University in New York and has become the Seattle Seahawks all-time leader in field goals made. He kicked a record 5 field goals in the last Super Bowl win for Seattle and set an NFL record for points scored in a season and postseason (206). So, yes, being on the Watch List for the Fred Mitchell Award can be a really big deal!"
Throughout the 2026 season, the Fred Mitchell Award Selection Committee will recognize outstanding performances with its weekly Kicker of the Week honors. The Committee will also announce the Midseason Watch List, Semifinalists, Finalists, and ultimately the recipient of the 2026 Fred Mitchell Award following the conclusion of the regular season.
The Fred Mitchell Award is presented annually to an outstanding place-kicker competing at the FCS, Division II, Division III, NAIA, or JUCO level based on excellence on the football field and in the community. The award honors Fred Mitchell's distinguished football career and lifelong commitment to community service.
The complete 2026 FMA Preseason Watch List is below:
Seth Adams – Sophomore, Southern Illinois University – FCS
Fred Adler – Sophomore, Widener University – DIII
Nico Cavanillas Alti – Senior, South Carolina State University – FCS
Tristan Alvano – Junior, South Dakota State University – FCS
Luke Barnes – Junior, Elon University – FCS
Iden Bone – Senior, Whitworth University – DIII
Kieran Corr – Junior, Harvard University – FCS
Marciel Do Amaral – Junior, Western Connecticut State University – DIII
Connor Fournier – Junior, Minnesota State University, Mankato – DII
Brysen Gardner – Junior, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley – FCS
Jacob Garbett – Sophomore, Augustana College – DIII
Logan Grwinski – Senior, Albion College – DIII
Elijah Guyton – Senior, University of West Alabama – DII
Alex Hanson – Junior, Reinhardt University – NAIA
Evan Harvey – Sophomore, Pacific Lutheran University – DIII
Ethan Hess – Sophomore, St. Olaf College – DIII
Levi Hilborn – Junior, Louisiana Christian University – NAIA
Christian Klobe – Junior, Benedictine College – NAIA
Preston Kyle – Sophomore, Colorado School of Mines – DII
Aiden Lanier – Sophomore, Bethune-Cookman University – FCS
Andrew Lastovka – Graduate, Youngstown State University – FCS
Stephen Leinen – Senior, Dordt University – NAIA
Brandon McCary – Junior, Emporia State University – DII
Agustin Miguel – Senior, Bridgewater College – DIII
Brady Myers – Senior, Virginia Union University – DII
Jared Navidad – Sophomore, UNC Pembroke – DII
Noah Piper – Sophomore, Yale University – FCS
Ty Quintois – Senior, East Stroudsburg University – DII
Harry Radcliffe – Junior, PennWest California – DII
Bleu Renfrow – Sophomore, William Jewell College – DII
Ozlo Rigby – Senior, East Texas A&M University – FCS
Layne Ryals – Senior, Missouri University of Science and Technology – DII
Emiliano Salazar – Junior, University of San Diego – FCS
Myles Sansted – Junior, Montana State University – FCS
Austin Schmitt – Senior, Pittsburg State University – DII
Jackson Smith – Senior, Colorado State University Pueblo – DII
Brett Starling – Junior, Hampton University – FCS
Samuel Tremblay – Sophomore, University of Maine – FCS
Ian Vachon – Senior, University of North Alabama – FCS
