Tracking Every Gophers Football Player Named to a 2026 Preseason Watchlist

We've officially entered the watchlist portion of the offseason.

Dec 26, 2025; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back John Nestor (17) against the New Mexico Lobos during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

We've officially entered the watchlist portion of the college football offseason. There seem to be new awards every year, and we're going to track every Gophers player named to an award watchlist before their 2026 season kicks off on September 3.

Anthony Smith

• Preseason 1st-team All-American (Phil Steele publications)
• Preseason 1st-team All-Big Ten (Phil Steele)
• Preseason 2nd-team All-American (Athlon Sports)
• Preseason 1st-team All-Big Ten (Athlon)
• Preseason 2nd-team All-American (Walter Camp)

Greg Johnson

• Preseason 1st-team All-American (Phil Steele)
• Preseason 1st-team All-Big Ten (Phil Steele)
• Preseason 2nd-team All-Big Ten (Athlon)

John Nestor

• Lott IMPACT Trophy
• Preseason 2nd-team All-Big Ten (Phil Steele)
• Preseason 2nd-team All-Big Ten (Athlon)

The Lott trophy is awarded annually as the Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year, who is the player with the biggest impact on his team both on and off the field. Nestor is one of 17 defensive backs named to the watch list, with 16 defensive linemen and nine linebackers.

⭐️ IMPACT player! @johnnestor_7 has been named to the @TheLottTrophy Watch List - an award given annually to the nation's top defensive player, who also exhibits the characteristics of Ronnie Lott by making an IMPACT on and off the field #RTB #SkiUMah #Gophers pic.twitter.com/Q6IOxeMtRi

— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) May 22, 2026

Maverick Baranowski

• Preseason 2nd-team All-Big Ten (Phill Steele)
• Preseason 2nd-team All-Big Ten (Athlon)

Darius Taylor

• Preseason 4th-team All-Big Ten (Phill Steele)
• Preseason 2nd-team All-Big Ten (Athlon)

Jalen Smith

• Preseason 3rd-team All-Big Ten (Phill Steele)
• Preseason 4th-team All-Big Ten (Athlon)

Nathan Roy

• Preseason 4th-team All-Big Ten (Phill Steele)
• Preseason 3rd-team All-Big Ten (Athlon)

Kerry Brown

• Preseason 4th-team All-Big Ten (Athlon)

Tom Weston

• Preseason 4th-team All-Big Ten (Athlon)

TJ Thomas Jr.

• Preseason 3rd-team All-Big Ten (Phill Steele). *punt returner

Alan Sokup

• Preseason 4th-team All-Big Ten (Phill Steele)