The 2026 Preseason Watch List features three players from each four-year football program in Mississippi
JACKSON, Miss., August 28, 2026 – C Spire and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum are pleased to announce the 2026 C Spire Conerly Trophy Preseason Watch List, which features three outstanding players from each four-year football program in Mississippi.
Now in its 31st year, the C Spire Conerly Trophy, named after Charlie Conerly, the legendary Ole Miss quarterback who was the NFL Rookie of the Year in 1948 and NFL Player of the Year in 1959, is presented annually in partnership with the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum and recognizes the most outstanding college football player in Mississippi.
"The C Spire Conerly Trophy is one of the great traditions in Mississippi sports, and C Spire is proud to partner with the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum for the 29th consecutive year," said C Spire Director, PR & Communications TJ Werre. "College football is such an important part of our culture, and we're looking forward to watching what we hope will be a memorable season for these student-athletes, their programs, universities, and the alumni and fans who support them."
2026 C Spire Conerly Trophy Preseason Watch List
Alcorn State - DL Eric Thomas, Jr., P/K Demetrion Duvall, QB Jaylon Tolbert
Belhaven - DE Jimmy Byrd, LT Cam Williams, P Kyle Norris
Delta State - WR Lawrence Armstrong, LB Tavian Moore, DL TJ Edwards
Jackson State - QB Jared Lockhart, DB Kam Sallis, WR Nate Rembert
Millsaps - QB Grant Bizjack, DL Zabian Boutan, C Erik Contreras
Mississippi State - QB Kamario Taylor, CB Kelley Jones, WR Anthony Evans
Mississippi Valley State - QB Josh Brown, RB Dezmond Ray, DL Christ Kore
Southern Miss - WR Jaylen Himes, DL Kameron Cyprien, RB Robert Briggs
Ole Miss - QB Trinidad Chambliss, DT Will Echoles, RB Kewan Lacy
"One of the great stories of Mississippi college football each season is seeing who will emerge as a contender for the C Spire Conerly Trophy," said Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum Executive Director Andrea Patterson. "This watch list gives us an exciting group of players to follow as the season begins, and we look forward to watching these players compete, lead their teams, and make their case to be recognized as Mississippi's most outstanding college football player."
The 31st annual C Spire Conerly Trophy presentation is Tuesday, December 1, at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum in Jackson.
ABOUT C SPIRE
C Spire is a privately held advanced technology company that delivers customer-inspired solutions, transforming how people and businesses connect, live, and work. With a proven legacy of innovation, C Spire is elevating connected living by providing customers with fiber-powered smart homes, AI-enhanced experiences and 5G connectivity.
C Spire is accelerating tomorrow's business growth with secure fiber networks, AI-driven cloud solutions and intelligent collaboration tools. The company, based in Ridgeland, Miss., is the largest privately held U.S. wireless carrier, a leading fiber internet provider in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee, and an award-winning tech solutions partner for businesses across 49 states.
This news release and other announcements are available at www.cspire.com/news. For more information about C Spire, visit www.cspire.com or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cspire or X at www.x.com/cspire.
Media Contact:
TJ Werre, Director, PR & Communications, C Spire; [email protected], 901-489-8485
ABOUT THE MISSISSIPPI SPORTS HALL OF FAME
The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame exists to promote, preserve and protect Mississippi's rich sports heritage for this and future generations. The Museum serves as a destination for sports legends to live forever through interactive displays and exhibits where visitors can play, live and dream. The 501 (c) (3) organization recognizes excellence in athletics and contributions to sports. For more information about the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum, visit www.msfame.com or follow us on follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mssportshofandmuseum or Instagram at www.instagram.com/mssportsmuseum.
Media Contact:
Andrea Patterson, Executive Director, Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum; [email protected]
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