HOUSTON – Kennesaw State graduate linebacker
Baron Hopson earned selection to his second prestigious award watch list this preseason, being named to the 2026 Lombardi Award Preseason Watch List, the Rotary Club of Houston and Lombardi Award Committee announced on Tuesday.
Established by legendary coach Vince Lombardi, the Lombardi Award is presented annually to outstanding linemen and linebackers who best epitomize his values of leadership, courage, performance, and discipline on and off the field. The watch list also includes players who are consistently showing the values of strength, agility and football acumen in their respective positions.
Hopson joins 54 of the nation's top linemen and linebackers from across all FBS and is one of just nine standouts from Group of Six conferences and one of two from CUSA – joining Delaware's center Steven Demboski.
The reigning 2025 CUSA Defensive Player of the Year and 2026 Preseason CUSA Defensive Player of the Year, Hopson had a monster campaign in 2025, recording a record-setting 138 tackles, nine tackles for loss, a forced fumble and interception over 14 games. Of his 14 games, he led the Owls in tackles in a whopping nine of them.
In the midst of rewriting the annals, he also broke the single-game tackle record with 16 in the regular-season finale that clinched KSU's berth in the Conference USA Championship game.
In addition to his end-of-year DPOTY honor, the Leesburg, Ga. native was also named first-team all-CUSA selection and third-team HERO Sports Group of Five All-American.
Hopson was also selected to the 2026 preseason watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy – awarded annually to the national defensive player of the year.
Hopson and the Owls are in the thick of fall camp as they prepare for the season-opener against West Georgia on Thursday, Sept. 3 at Walens Family Field at Fifth Third Stadium.
2026 KENNESAW STATE FOOTBALL SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2026 Kennesaw State football season are on sale now! Tickets begin at just $125 and include home contests against in-state foes West Georgia (Sept. 3) and Georgia State (Sept. 12), as well as CUSA contests against Jax State (Oct. 7), Liberty (Oct. 22), Delaware (Nov. 7) and FIU (Nov. 21). Click
HERE for more info on tickets for the 2026 regular season!
The Champions Fund
The Champions Fund is a newly created, 100% tax deductible, philanthropic opportunity to contribute strategic revenue to Kennesaw State Athletics, with the goal of strengthening our ability to recruit and retain top-tier talent in this new era of collegiate athletics. Contributions to the Champions Fund will help aid in funding student-athlete recruitment and retention, as well as helping the Owls provide competitive excellence through investments in coaching, travel and facilities. The fund will also give an elevated student-athlete experience, including enhanced academic, nutrition, wellness and leadership programs. Donate to the Champions Fund here and help us support our Kennesaw State Owls.
For more information on Kennesaw State athletics, follow @KennesawStFB on X/Twitter or like Kennesaw State Football on Facebook and Instagram.
