MCKINNEY, Texas – The Central Washington University Football Team has been selected to repeat as Lone Star Conference Champions in the 2026 LSC Preseason Football Poll, the conference announced on Thursday during the LSC Football Media Day at McKinney ISD Stadium's Event Center. Senior linebacker Brycen Indell was named the LSC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, joining former Wildcat standout Tanner Volk to earn the preseason distinction. Senior offensive lineman Tyler Luzan was also tabbed as a Preseason Player to Watch.
 
"We are honored to be recognized by the Lone Star Conference as the preseason favorites," CWU Head Football Coach Scott Power said. "This recognition is a reflection of the hard work, commitment, and belief our players and coaches have invested in this program.
 
Our players understand that being picked No. 1 comes with expectations, and we embrace those expectations. We will continue to work, prepare, and compete with the same relentless focus that has brought us to this point. We respect the teams in this conference, and we know every Saturday will require our very best.
 
We are proud of the direction of Central Washington Football, proud of the work our players have put in, and am excited for the opportunity ahead. Now, the real work begins."
 
The Wildcats are picked to repeat as conference champions after earning their first Lone Star Conference Championship last season in a last second thrilling touchdown in the season finale at Western Oregon. This is the highest the Wildcats have been ranked in the LSC Preseason Poll since joining the conference for the 2022 season.
 
The Wildcats earned 276 total points and 16 first-place votes to secure their first-place preseason poll finish. Following the 'Cats is their Pacific Northwest rival Western Oregon who grabbed 247 total points to go with nine first-place votes. West Texas A&M and Angelo State each gabbed a first-place vote to land at third and fourth at 217 and 215 total points, respectfully. UT Permian Basin had two first-place votes to go with 203 total points to land fifth while Texas A&M-Kingsville landed sixth with 162 points. Eastern New Mexico was seventh with 125 points and one first-place vote with Midwestern State landing at eighth with 112 points, Western New Mexico at ninth with 58 points, and Sul Ross State rounding out the preseason poll in 10th with 35 points.
 
The preseason poll is voted on by the LSC Head Coaches, Sports Information Directors, and one media member to represent each school.
 
LSC football began in 1931 with Texas A&M-Kingsville posting a conference-best 27 championships with its first coming in 1959 and its last coming in 2009. West Texas A&M (1986, 2005-2007, and 2012) and Angelo State (1978, 1984, 1987, 2022, and 2024) each have five LSC crowns. Midwestern State (2011-12, 2017, and 2021) has four titles while Eastern New Mexico (1991 and 2013) and Sul Ross State (1950 and 1965) both have two titles. CWU (2025) joins UT Permian Basin (2023) as teams that have one title to their name.
 
Indell is bouncing back from an injury last season that only saw him appear in three games. During those three games he logged five tackles: two solo and three assisted with four coming against Colorado Mesa in the Rodeo Bowl. He added a 0.5 sack for a loss of two yards against CMU. He saw action in 21 games during the 2023 and 2024 seasons compiling 59 tackles: 22 solo and 37 assisted while earning 4.5 tackles for loss for 15 yards including 2.5 sacks. He added two fumbles he forced and one fumble recovery. He added a kick return for six yards. He was named the LSC Defensive Player of the Week after a regular season victory over Western Oregon during the 2024 season logging 11 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a 1.5 sack.
 
"Brycen is deserving of this recognition," Power said. "Being selected as the preseason Defensive Player of the Year is a tremendous honor, but it is also a reflection of the respect he has earned throughout this conference. He is a dominant player, an outstanding competitor, and a leader who sets the standard for our defense every day.
 
We are proud of the work he has put in to earn this recognition, and we know he will continue to hold himself and our defense to the highest standard. This award is a great honor, but Brycen understands that the real goal is winning championships. We are excited to see what he and our defense accomplish this season."
 
Luzan will look to be a cornerstone for the Wildcats offensive line that was one of the top offensive lines a season ago. The 2025 First Team All-LSC member has played in 24 games over his career, starting 15 of them including 10 a season ago. He played a key part in helping the Wildcats earn 266.1 rushing yards per game a season ago, which was among the best in NCAA Division II. He also played a crucial role in the offensive line that only allowed 10 sacks last season.
 
The Wildcats will open the 2026 season on the road as they travel to NCAA Division I FCS Cal Poly on Saturday, September 5 at 5:00 p.m. from Mustang Memorial Field Presented by French Hospital in San Luis Obispo, Calif. with the game streaming on ESPN+. They then turn around for their home opener against reigning back-to-back national champions Ferris State on Saturday, September 12 at 6:00 p.m. from Steve Hertling Field at Tomlinson Stadium.
 
View the full LSC Football Preseason Poll HERE
View the full LSC Preseason Players of the Year and Players to Watch HERE
 
2026 LSC FOOTBALL PRESEASON POLL

Rank	Team	1st-Place Votes	Total Votes
1	Central Washington	16	276
2	Western Oregon	9	247
3	West Texas A&M	1	217
4	Angelo State	1	215
5	UT Permian Basin	2	203
6	Texas A&M-Kingsville		162
7	Eastern New Mexico	1	125
8	Midwestern State		112
9	Western New Mexico		58
10	Sul Ross State		35

 
2026 LSC FOOTBALL PRESEAON AWARDS
 
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Jordan McCarty, QB, Sr., Western Oregon
 
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Brycen Indell, LB, R-Sr., Central Washington
 
Preseason Offensive Players to Watch

Name	School	Yr.	Pos.
Cameron Dischler	Angelo State	Jr.	RB
Tyler Luzan	Central Washington	R-Sr.	OL
Robert Nora	Eastern New Mexico	So.	WR
Paul Ledet	Midwestern State	Sr.	OL
Ryan Van Roekel	Sul Ross State	So.	WR
Christian Kretz	Texas A&M-Kingsville	Sr.	WR
Traylen Suel	UT Permian Basin	Sr.	WR
Contae Cason	West Texas A&M	Sr.	RB
Daniel Gonzalez	Western New Mexico	Sr.	OL
Jordan McCarty	Western Oregon	Sr.	QB

 
Preseason Defensive Players to Watch

Name	School	Yr.	Pos.
Tre Liger	Angelo State	Sr.	DB
Brycen Indell	Central Washington	R-Sr.	LB
Matthew Quartieri	Eastern New Mexico	Sr.	LB
Charles McKnight	Midwestern State	Sr.	DL
Emmanuel Osom	Sul Ross State	So.	LB
Jeremiah Conaway	Texas A&M-Kingsville	Jr.	DB
Godgive Ugochukwu	UT Permian Basin	So.	DL
Miles Hill	West Texas A&M	Jr.	DB
Clayton Zentner	Western New Mexico	Jr.	DB
Nijawn Sterling	Western Oregon	Sr.	DL