Utah State’s Hamblin, Liston named to Bronko Nagurski, Outland preseason watchlists

LOGAN, Utah – Utah State safety Brevin Hamblin and center Jimmy Liston earned spots on national preseason award watchlists announced Tuesday by the Football Writers Association of America, giving the Aggies a pair of players recognized among the best in the country at their positions heading into the 2026 season.

Hamblin was one of 68 players named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watchlist, which honors the nation’s top defensive player. Liston landed on the Outland Trophy watchlist, also 68 players, which recognizes the best interior lineman in college football.

Live on camera with the media before fall camp! 🎤 🎥 📽️

🎟️: https://t.co/ogxb0J9CUS pic.twitter.com/5ktMfCQCuW

— USU Football (@USUFootball) August 4, 2026

The recognition is the latest sign that Utah State, entering its first season as a Pac-12 member, has the kind of individual talent to compete at the power conference level. For a program rebuilding its national profile, having players on marquee FWAA watchlists matters — both for perception and for recruiting.

With fall camp opening Wednesday in Logan, Hamblin and Liston will try to prove the national attention is warranted — and that the Aggies’ move to the Pac-12 comes with the talent to match.

About USU safety Brevin Hamblin

A senior from Syracuse, Utah, Brevin Hamblin started 12 of 13 games in 2025 and finished second on the team with 114 tackles. He added 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and eight pass breakups in his first season with the Aggies, earning All-Mountain West honorable mention.

The 6-foot-5, 205-pound safety turned heads with a breakout performance in a win over Nevada that earned him Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week. In that game, Hamblin returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown and finished with eight tackles and a sack.

On the watchlist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given to the best defensive player in the nation 💪 @Brevin_Hamblin pic.twitter.com/qxr1cak28d

— USU Football (@USUFootball) August 4, 2026

His length and physicality give second-year defensive coordinator Nick Howell a versatile weapon — a safety who can match up against tight ends, play in the box or patrol the deep middle.

Hamblin said the transition to the Pac-12 has only sharpened his focus.

“I want to be First Team All-Pac-12,” Hamblin said. “I really want to prove to myself and to everyone else out there that I can do this.”

The Bronco Nagurski Award is presented to the nation’s top defensive player as voted by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) All-America Committee after input from the association’s full membership. Finalists will be announced on November 19, with the award being presented December 7.

The award, presented annually since 1993, is named in honor of former University of Minnesota two-way player Bronco Nagurski. 

About USU offensive lineman Jimmy Liston

Jimmy Liston started all 13 games at center in 2025 after transferring from Purdue, where he spent two seasons.

The 6-4, 300-pounder brought stability to an offensive line that had been hit hard by injuries and attrition.

🏆 @jimmyliston64 is on the watchlist for the @outlandtrophy, awarded to the best interior offensive lineman in the nation! 😤 pic.twitter.com/yseP1pAzkJ

— USU Football (@USUFootball) August 4, 2026

He recorded 37 knockdowns over 853 snaps, and Pro Football Focus graded him at 87.1 — sixth among all FBS centers — while not allowing a sack or a tackle for loss all season. He was also a 2025 Academic All-Mountain West honoree.

The Outland Trophy is awarded to the nation’s top interior offensive lineman as voted by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) All-America Committee after input from the association’s full membership. Semifinalists are named on November 18, followed by three finalists being announced on November 24. The Outland Trophy will be presented live at the College Football Awards, live on ESPN in December. 

The Outland Trophy is named in honor of John H. Outland, one of a select few players to be named All-American at two interior offensive line positions. It has existed since 1946.

Following Utah State football with KSL Sports Zone

The Aggies open the 2026 season against Idaho State on Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium on September 5. Kickoff is at 5 p.m. MT.

Find Utah State football’s entire 2026 schedule here.

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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.

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