ANNAPOLIS, Md.— Navy senior center Cam Nichols is one of 40 centers, including four from the American Conference, named to the 2026 Rimington Trophy Watch List, which recognizes the nation's top center.
 
This year, the Rimington Trophy committee worked with Pro Football Focus (PFF) to narrow down its list to the top 40 centers. PFF grades every player on every play of every game based on how well they execute their assignment. That play-by-play grading allowed the Trophy committee to create a watch list based both on nominations from the schools and data provided by PFF.
 
Once the season begins, schools will be able to nominate their centers for late addition based on in-season merit.
 
Nichols has been a starter in 18 games in his career and has earned two varsity letters. 
 
He helped anchor an offensive line that earned a spot on the 2025 Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll.  
 
The Mids finished 11-2, tying the school record for victories in a season, while leading the nation in rushing at 285.6 yards per game.  The Mids were Commander-In-Chief's Trophy Champions and Lambert Trophy Champions as well as the AutoZone Liberty Bowl Champions.

Navy fans are invited to the 2026 Navy Football Fan Fest/Media Day, presented by Luminis Health and Lexus, at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
  
The football student-athletes will sign autographs on the Blue (press box) side concourse beginning at 2 p.m., followed by fan interaction, games and photos on the field beginning at 3 p.m.
 
Fan Fest activities will include interactive inflatable games and giveaways. The first 250 kids will receive a free T-shirt.
 
Those attending should enter the parking lot through Gate 5 off Taylor Avenue and enter the stadium on the Blue (press box) side. Parking and admission are free.
 
The 2026 Navy football team reported to camp on Tuesday and the first practice was held Wednesday morning. The annual Blue & Gold BBQ is set for Saturday, Aug. 15, at 10 a.m. at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
 
Navy Football season and single-game tickets are on sale now by calling 1-800-US4-NAVY or online here: https://navysports.evenue.net/list/NAVY.
 
The Mids kick off the 2026 season at home on Sept. 5 vs. Towson at 3:30 p.m.
 
While more than a dozen All-America teams are selected annually, the Rimington Trophy committee uses these three prestigious teams to determine a winner:
 
· Walter Camp Foundation (WCF)
· Sporting News (SN)
· Football Writers Association of America (FWAA)
 
Because the selectors of these three All-America teams can place centers in a "mix" of offensive linemen that include guards and tackles, their 11-man first teams can often have two centers. The Rimington Trophy committee's policy is to count all players that play primarily the center position for their respective teams as centers, even though they may be listed as guards or tackles on the All-America teams.
 
The center receiving the most first-team votes will be declared the winner. If there is a tie with first team votes, then the center with the most second team votes will win. If there is still a tie, the winner will be determined by a majority vote from the Rimington Trophy Committee, provided with data from Pro Football Focus.
 
About the Rimington Trophy
The Rimington Trophy is presented annually to the most outstanding center in NCAA FBS football. Since its inception, the award has raised over $5 million for the Boomer Esiason Foundation. Dave Rimington, the award's namesake, was a consensus first-team All-America center at the University of Nebraska in 1981 and 1982, during which time he became the John Outland Trophy's only two-time winner as the nation's finest college interior lineman. For more information visit www.rimingtontrophy.com
 
About the NCFAA
The Rimington Trophy 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.
 
Remaining 2026 preseason watch list schedule:
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