Eastern Michigan Athletics
Gallegos Named to Rimington Trophy Preseason Watch List
8/6/2026 12:00:00 PM | Football
Center becomes first Eagle selected for the award since 2020
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Eastern Michigan University center Nicholas Gallegos (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley) has been named to the 2026 Rimington Trophy Preseason Watch List, the Rimington Trophy Committee announced Thursday, Aug. 6. The award is presented annually to the nation's most outstanding center in college football.
Gallegos is one of 40 centers nationwide selected to the preseason watch list and the first Eastern Michigan player to earn preseason recognition for the award since Mike Van Hoeven in 2020. He is also the only Mid-American Conference representative on this year's watch list.
A team captain for the 2026 season, Gallegos earned his spot on the watch list after anchoring one of the Mid-American Conference's top offensive lines in 2025. He started nine of Eastern Michigan's 12 games at center and helped pave the way for one of the conference's most balanced and productive offenses.
Behind Gallegos and the Eagles' offensive line, Eastern Michigan ranked among the nation's leaders in protecting the quarterback and creating running lanes. EMU finished eighth nationally and first in the MAC by allowing only 0.92 sacks per game while ranking ninth nationally and first in the conference by surrendering only 3.75 tackles for loss per contest.
Gallegos played a key role in helping running back Dontae McMillan become the 12th player in program history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. The offensive line also helped the Eagles produce at least one 100-yard performer in each of the final seven games of the season, the third-longest such streak in program history. During that stretch, Eastern Michigan recorded four 100-yard rushing performances and four 100-yard receiving performances.
The veteran center also helped protect quarterback Noah Kim, who started every game while leading one of the MAC's most explosive offenses. The Eagles ranked third in the conference in total offense at 377.3 yards per game and second in passing offense at 234.8 yards per contest. Kim led the MAC with 2,817 passing yards and averaged a league-best 20.6 completions per game while throwing 18 touchdown passes. Eastern Michigan also led the conference and ranked third nationally in red zone efficiency, converting 94.6 percent of its scoring opportunities.
The Rimington Trophy, established in 2000, recognizes the top center in NCAA Division I FBS football. Named in honor of former Nebraska All-American Dave Rimington, the award is presented annually to the player who demonstrates excellence at one of football's most demanding positions.
The 2026 preseason watch list was developed in partnership with Pro Football Focus, with the Rimington Trophy Committee using PFF's player evaluation data along with school nominations to identify the nation's top 40 centers. Additional players remain eligible to be added to the watch list during the season based on their on-field performance.
Sixteen NCFAA members are unveiling preseason watch lists over a three-week period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award's preseason candidates. Following is the remaining 2026 preseason watch list calendar:
Thu., Aug. 6: Rimington Trophy
Fri., Aug. 7: Lou Groza Award
Mon., Aug. 10: Paul Hornung Award
Tue., Aug. 11: Allstate Wuerffel Trophy
Wed., Aug. 12: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award
Thu., Aug. 13: Butkus Award
Fri., Aug. 14: Ray Guy Award
Mon., Aug. 17: Walter Camp Award
Tue., Aug. 18: Doak Walker Award
Wed., Aug. 19: Biletnikoff Award
Thu., Aug. 20: Davey O'Brien Award
Fri., Aug. 21: Bednarik Award
For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA and Instagram @TheNCFAA.
Gallegos is one of 40 centers nationwide selected to the preseason watch list and the first Eastern Michigan player to earn preseason recognition for the award since Mike Van Hoeven in 2020. He is also the only Mid-American Conference representative on this year's watch list.
A team captain for the 2026 season, Gallegos earned his spot on the watch list after anchoring one of the Mid-American Conference's top offensive lines in 2025. He started nine of Eastern Michigan's 12 games at center and helped pave the way for one of the conference's most balanced and productive offenses.
Behind Gallegos and the Eagles' offensive line, Eastern Michigan ranked among the nation's leaders in protecting the quarterback and creating running lanes. EMU finished eighth nationally and first in the MAC by allowing only 0.92 sacks per game while ranking ninth nationally and first in the conference by surrendering only 3.75 tackles for loss per contest.
Gallegos played a key role in helping running back Dontae McMillan become the 12th player in program history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. The offensive line also helped the Eagles produce at least one 100-yard performer in each of the final seven games of the season, the third-longest such streak in program history. During that stretch, Eastern Michigan recorded four 100-yard rushing performances and four 100-yard receiving performances.
The veteran center also helped protect quarterback Noah Kim, who started every game while leading one of the MAC's most explosive offenses. The Eagles ranked third in the conference in total offense at 377.3 yards per game and second in passing offense at 234.8 yards per contest. Kim led the MAC with 2,817 passing yards and averaged a league-best 20.6 completions per game while throwing 18 touchdown passes. Eastern Michigan also led the conference and ranked third nationally in red zone efficiency, converting 94.6 percent of its scoring opportunities.
The Rimington Trophy, established in 2000, recognizes the top center in NCAA Division I FBS football. Named in honor of former Nebraska All-American Dave Rimington, the award is presented annually to the player who demonstrates excellence at one of football's most demanding positions.
The 2026 preseason watch list was developed in partnership with Pro Football Focus, with the Rimington Trophy Committee using PFF's player evaluation data along with school nominations to identify the nation's top 40 centers. Additional players remain eligible to be added to the watch list during the season based on their on-field performance.
Sixteen NCFAA members are unveiling preseason watch lists over a three-week period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award's preseason candidates. Following is the remaining 2026 preseason watch list calendar:
Thu., Aug. 6: Rimington Trophy
Fri., Aug. 7: Lou Groza Award
Mon., Aug. 10: Paul Hornung Award
Tue., Aug. 11: Allstate Wuerffel Trophy
Wed., Aug. 12: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award
Thu., Aug. 13: Butkus Award
Fri., Aug. 14: Ray Guy Award
Mon., Aug. 17: Walter Camp Award
Tue., Aug. 18: Doak Walker Award
Wed., Aug. 19: Biletnikoff Award
Thu., Aug. 20: Davey O'Brien Award
Fri., Aug. 21: Bednarik Award
For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA and Instagram @TheNCFAA.
Players Mentioned
Thursday, July 23
Thursday, July 23
Thursday, July 23
Wednesday, July 22