Preseason Watch List announced for 2026 Yukica Football Player of the Year

The Joe Yukica New Hampshire Chapter of the National Football Foundation announced Thursday its initial watch list for the fourth annual Player of the Year Award.

The Yukica Player of the Year Award will be voted on by coaches and members of the media, and is given to a player who is on an NHIAA team. Previous winners include Souhegan's JJ Bright (2023), Campbell's Scott Hershberger (2024) and Bedford's Brody Helton (2025).

The chapter’s board of directors released its 20-player watch list on Thursday. Following are the players on the preseason list:

• Brooks Batson, DL, Windham
• Nate Bowen, QB, Bishop Guertin
• Mike Brearley, RB/DB, Windham
• Luke Draper, RB/DB, Pelham
• Justin Fish, WR/DB, Nashua South
• Joel Gomez, TE, Manchester Memorial
• Ryan Hebert, TE/LB, Dover
• Elliot Ingraham, OT/DT, Pinkerton
• Drake Jaimes, QB, Manchester Central
• Davis Magarian, TE/DE, Londonderry
• Bishop Kearns, OL/DL, Bishop Guertin
• Jaxon McDonald, QB/DB, Winnacunnet
• Josh Moore, OT/DT, Winnacunnet
• Brady O'Connor, QB, Nashua North
• Rocco Roy, WR/DB, Bishop Guertin
• Colin Salkovitz, RB/LB, Salem
• Colin Savard, RB/OLB, Salem
• Brady Spellman, RB/DB, Pinkerton
• Marquis Twomey, WR/DB, Kennett
• Riley Wilson, OT/DT, Laconia

A total of 10 semifinalists will be announced on Nov. 5, with that list being cut down to three finalists on Nov. 19. The winner of the award will be announced on Nov. 26.

The watch list was created to help promote the award. The winner may not end up being a player on the list. The award will be voted on by football coaches from all four divisions and members of the media.