LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) -- UNLV senior running back Jai'Den "Jet" Thomas is one of just 50 players in college football included on the 2026 Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List, released Monday by the Walter Camp Football Foundation.
 
Thomas (Atlanta, GA) earlier this month found his name on the Maxwell Award Watch List and now is a repeat member of the Walter Camp Watch List, the nation's fourth-oldest individual college football accolade. Thomas was previously named Preseason First Team All-Mountain West as he enters his fourth season ranked eighth in school history in career rushing yards (2,457) and fifth in rushing touchdowns (31)
 
Players from 38 different schools representing 11 conferences (including independents) are represented on the preseason watch list.  
 
"We are proud to continue the great work of Walter Camp, considered the father of American football, and recognize the very best college football players in the nation," Foundation president Michael Madera said. "This watch list is a great start to what is shaping up to be another exciting year of college football."
 
The 2026 Player of Year watch list will be narrowed to 10 semifinalists in early November and three finalists will be announced in early December. The 2026 Walter Camp Player of the Year recipient, which is voted on by the 138 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors, will be announced in the second week of December.
 
Under the direction of second-year head coach Dan Mullen, the Rebels will kick off their 59th season of football August 29 by hosting Memphis in a highly anticipated Week Zero national matchup on FOX TV.
 
Season tickets, mini-plans and single-game tickets for the six-game 2026 home schedule are available now by visiting unlvtickets.com or calling (702) 739-FANS (3267). For information on all-inclusive VIP club seats or suites at Allegiant Stadium, contact the Premium Sales office at premiumseating@unlv.edu or by calling (702) 739-FANS (3267).
 
2026 WALTER CAMP PRESEASON WATCH LIST
Micah Alejado, QB, sophomore, Hawaii
Xavier Atkins, LB, junior, Auburn
C.J. Bailey, QB, junior, North Carolina State
Charlie Becker, WR, junior, Indiana
Rasheem Biles, LB, senior, Texas
DeSean Bishop, RB, junior, Tennessee
Isaac Brown, RB, junior, Louisville
Sammy Brown, LB, junior, Clemson
C.J. Carr, QB, junior, Notre Dame
Trinidad Chambliss, QB, senior, Ole Miss
Cam Coleman, WR, junior, Texas
Cam Cook, RB, senior, West Virginia
Mario Craver, WR, junior, Texas A&M
Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, QB, senior, Marshall
Devon Dampier, QB, senior, Utah
Cameron Dickey, RB, junior, Texas Tech
KJ Duff, WR, junior, Rutgers
Noah Fifita, QB, senior, Arizona
Mark Fletcher, Jr., RB, senior, Miami
Trey'Dez Green, TE, junior, LSU
Ahmad Hardy, RB, junior, Missouri
Caleb Hawkins, RB, sophomore, Oklahoma State
Kevin Jennings, QB, senior, SMU
Kewan Lacy, RB, junior, Ole Miss
Broc Lowry, QB, junior, Western Michigan
Maddux Madsen, QB, senior, Boise State
Jayden Maiava, QB, senior, USC
Arch Manning, QB, sophomore, Texas
LJ Martin, RB, senior, BYU
John Mateer, QB, senior, Oklahoma
Owen McCown, QB, senior, UTSA
Darian Mensah, QB, Junior, Miami
Nick Minicucci, QB, senior, Delaware
Dante Moore, QB, senior, Oregon
Leonard Moore, DB, junior, Notre Dame
Marcel Reed, QB, junior, Texas A&M
Duce Robinson, WR, senior, Florida State
Ellis Robinson IV, DB, sophomore, Georgia
Julian Sayin, QB, sophomore, Ohio State
LaNorris Sellers, QB, junior, South Carolina
Colin Simmons, Edge, junior, Texas
Anthony Smith, Edge, senior, Minnesota
Jeremiah Smith, WR, junior, Ohio State
Dylan Stewart, Edge, junior, South Carolina
Gunner Stockton, QB, Senior, Georgia
Lucky Sutton, RB, senior, San Diego State
Jai'Den Thomas, RB, senior, UNLV
Malachi Toney, WR/PR, sophomore, Miami
Tyrique Tucker, DL, senior, Indiana
Bryce Underwood, QB