The 2026 college football season is fast approaching, and the James Franklin era begins at Virginia Tech on Sept. 5 when VMI visits for the season opener under the lights at Lane Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Week 0 kicks off this weekend with a handful of ACC teams playing.
Over the last couple of weeks, award watch lists for the upcoming season have been released slowly, and there have been a handful of Hokies who have found their way onto some of the lists. It should be mentioned that the semifinalists and finalists for each award will be announced at a later date before the award is handed out. Which Virginia Tech players have made their way onto award watch lists? Here is a tracker for the upcoming season.
Bednarik Award Watch List: Nation's Top Defensive Player
- Kemari Copeland: tackle
Mackey Award Watch List: Nation's Top Tight End
- Luke Reynolds
Biletnikoff Award Watch List: Nation's Outstanding Receiver
- Que'Sean Brown
Doak Walker Award Watch List: Nation's Top Running Back
- Marcellous Hawkins
Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List: Exemplary Community Service With Leadership
- Marcellous Hawkins
Outland Trophy Watch List: Nation's Best Interior Lineman
- Kemari Copeland
Mannelly Award Watch List: Nation's Best Long Snapper
- Christian Epling
Now, some players have a case to say that they were snubbed from award watch lists, but these awards are not the end all be all. Kemari Copeland being on multiple watch lists isn't surprising, and Duke transfer Que'Sean Brown and Penn State transfer Luke Reynolds also being on watch lists shouldn't be surprising.
Copeland was also on the Freaks Watch List by The Athletic along with linebacker Kaleb Spencer, while Copeland and Reynolds were named to the Senior Bowl Top 300. It will be interesting to see how things play out early in the season and if any Hokies can be a semifinalist or finalist for awards when the dust settles on the 2026 campaign.
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