Football | 8/7/2026 2:35:00 PM

August 7, 2026-Emporia State's Brandon McCary is on 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.

McCary transferred to Emporia State from Minot State at the semester. He went 10 of 13 on field goals last season, including a perfect five for five performance against MSU Moorhead. He nailed a career-long 48-yarder against Sioux Falls. He was named the NSIC Special Teams Player of the Year after breaking MSU records for most field goals in a game, most points scored in a season, and most consecutive PATs made, making all 28 attempts last season.

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 Hornets have averaged over seven wins a year over the past four seasons. They are set to return 13 starters from last season including All-American linebacker Landon Boss, First-Team All-MIAA receiver Malik O'Atis, Second-Team All-MIAA defensive back Tyler Schultze and Third-Team All-MIAA offensive lineman Trevion Mitchell. Season and single game tickets are on sale now at esuhornets.com while season passes for The MIAA Network will go on sale later this month.

Emporia State opens the season on Thursday, August 27 at Minot State in North Dakota. The first home game will be on Saturday, September 12 against Michigan Tech.


2026 Fred Mitchell Award Preseason Watch List

Name	Class	School - Division
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	Freshman	William Jewell College – DII
Ozlo Rigby	Senior	East Texas A&M University – FCS
Layne Ryals	Senior	Missouri University of Science & 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