DALLAS – A trio of standouts headline the 2026 preseason Conference USA Football award winners, as chosen by the league’s 10 head coaches. Delaware QB Nick Minicucci was selected as the league’s Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Reigning CUSA Co-Defensive Player of the Year and Kennesaw State LB Baron Hopson was tabbed as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Jax State K Garrison Rippa earned Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year honors.
 
Minicucci emerged as one of the nation’s most productive signal callers in 2026, earning 68 Ventures Bowl Offensive MVP honors along with Second Team All-Conference USA recognition. The Davey O’Brien QB Class of 2025 member completed 322-512 passes for 3,683 yards and 23 touchdowns while adding a team-high 10 rushing scores. He ranked sixth nationally in passing yards and eighth in passing yards per game, becoming one of only two FBS players to eclipse 3,500 passing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns while rewriting Delaware’s single-season record book.
 
Hopson put together one of the finest defensive seasons in Conference USA history, earning Conference USA Co-Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-CUSA honors. The 14-game starter shattered the program's single-season tackles record with 138 stops while adding nine tackles for loss, a forced fumble and an interception. Hopson recorded nine games with at least 10 tackles, including a season-high 16 against Liberty to help send the Owls to the Conference USA Championship Game and earn CUSA Defensive Player of the Week honors.
 
Rippa established himself as one of Conference USA's most clutch kickers in 2026. He converted 21-28 field goals and was a perfect 40-40 on extra points while adding 32 touchbacks on 67 kickoffs. He connected on four field goals of at least 50 yards, including two from a school record-tying 52 yards. His knack for delivering in key moments defined the Gamecocks' season, as he drilled game-winning field goals at the buzzer against Sam Houston and Western Kentucky, while his late 45-yard kick secured another crucial road victory at UTEP.
 
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Nick Minicucci, Sr., QB, Delaware
 
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Baron Hopson, Gr., LB, Kennesaw State
 
Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year
Garrison Rippa, R-Jr., K, Jacksonville State