IRVING, Texas — Two American Conference players have been named to the 2026 Patrick Mannelly Award Preseason Watch List, announced on Tuesday. The trophy is presented annually to the top long snapper in college football.
 
Army’s Owen Walter and Navy’s Rayne Fry are two of 20 players named to the watch list for the 8^th Patrick Mannelly Award.
 
In 2025 and 2024, Walter served as the starting long snapper in each game, with three total tackles collected in 2025, including two in Army's win at UTSA on Nov. 29. In 2026, Walter will serve as a team captain alongside center Brady Small.
 
Fry, the 2025 American Conference Deep Snapper of the Year and a First-Team All-American Conference selection, is entering his fourth season as Navy's starter after taking over the role in the fourth game of his freshman season.