FAM College Athletes Kick Off the 2026 Football Season
Updated: 2 days ago
The lights are back on, stadiums are filling up, and another college football season is underway.
For Forever Athlete Management, the 2026 season brings another opportunity to watch members of the FAM family compete across the country, continue developing their game, and take another step toward their goals.
From established veterans preparing for the next stage of their careers to younger athletes building their names at the collegiate level, each player enters this season with a different journey and the same opportunity: make it count.
FAM Athletes Taking the Field In 2026
Xe'Ree Alexander entered the season coming off a productive first year at Washington. In 2025, Alexander appeared in all 13 games, started five and finished second on the team with 70 tackles while adding five tackles for loss.
His performance earned him Defensive MVP honors in the L.A. Bowl, and his momentum continued into the offseason when he was selected to the 2026 Butkus Award preseason watch list.
Jaleel Johnson | EDGE | Oklahoma State University
Jaleel Johnson entered his redshirt senior season as an experienced member of Oklahoma State's defensive front.
The Oklahoma City native had spent his entire collegiate career with the Cowboys and entered 2026 after appearing in four games with three starts during the 2025 season. Before his season was cut short, Johnson recorded 16 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and four quarterback hurries. His experience and time within the program positioned him for an important final collegiate season.
Isaiah Champagne prepared for his redshirt freshman season at the University of the Incarnate Word after getting his first taste of college football in 2025.
Champagne appeared in three games during his freshman season, catching seven passes for 97 yards. Before arriving at UIW, he produced 2,343 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns over his final two high school seasons, including 1,325 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior.
Heading into the August 29 season opener, Champagne was part of a deep UIW wide receiver group looking to help the Cardinals begin a new chapter offensively.
Drake Lusk entered his junior season as one of Bryant's returning linebackers after appearing in all 12 games in 2025.
Lusk recorded 18 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack during his sophomore campaign, including an eight-tackle performance against UAlbany and seven tackles with a sack against Stony Brook.
Bryant identified Lusk as one of its top returning players at linebacker heading into the season, giving the St. Augustine native an opportunity to take on an expanded role within the Bulldogs' defense.
Allen brings significant collegiate experience to East Carolina after transferring from Marshall. The fifth-year running back entered ECU with more than 1,300 career all-purpose yards, including more than 1,000 rushing yards.
Ahead of the season, Allen was also named to the 2026 American Bowl 1000 Watch List, recognizing NFL Draft-eligible players across college football.
For Allen, the 2026 season represents an opportunity to make an impact at ECU while continuing to build toward the next stage of his football career.
Jenkins joins Miami University after spending the 2025 season at UCF, where he appeared in all 12 games. The sophomore wide receiver arrived at the collegiate level following a standout career at St. Augustine High School that included more than 2,300 receiving yards over his final three seasons.
Now with the RedHawks, Jenkins has a new opportunity to continue his development and make his mark in the Miami offense.
Johnson enters his second season at East Carolina and his fifth year of college football after previously playing at Penn State. In 2025, he appeared in 11 games for the Pirates and contributed both offensively and on special teams.
His development earned preseason recognition heading into 2026, with Phil Steele naming him Third-Team Preseason All-American Conference.
Dai'Shaun Thomas entered the 2026 season at Arkansas as a junior wide receiver after previous stops at Berry College, Kennesaw State and Mary Hardin-Baylor.
The Houston native joined the Razorbacks as he continued building his collegiate career and competing for opportunities within an SEC program.
For Thomas, the season represented another chapter in a journey defined by continuing to work, develop and remain ready when his opportunity came.
Corey Reddick arrived at Arkansas State after a standout 2025 season at Valdosta State.
Reddick rushed for 641 yards and seven touchdowns on 114 carries while helping Valdosta State capture the Gulf South Conference championship. His performance earned him First-Team All-GSC honors after he led the conference with 6.0 yards per carry.
The West Palm Beach native entered 2026 with an opportunity to bring that production to the FBS level and continue building on the success of his previous season.
Donovan Westmoreland returned to Kennesaw State after becoming a productive part of the Owls' defense in 2025.
The outside linebacker appeared in all 14 games the previous season, recording 37 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. His performance helped him earn Third-Team Preseason All-Conference USA recognition from Athlon Sports entering 2026.
As a redshirt junior, Westmoreland entered the season with an opportunity to build on that production and take another step forward within the Kennesaw State defense.
Kevin Peay Jr. prepared for his second season at Georgia Tech after making his collegiate debut as a true freshman in 2025.
The 6-foot-4 offensive lineman arrived at Georgia Tech as a highly regarded prospect from Lancaster, South Carolina. Peay was rated a four-star prospect by Rivals and was a two-time all-state selection during his high school career. After redshirting during his first season, he entered 2026 with another year of development behind him and an opportunity to expand his role along the Yellow Jackets' offensive line.
Kemori Dixon entered his redshirt sophomore season at Boston College after earning his first collegiate starts in 2025.
Dixon appeared in seven games and made three starts at linebacker during the previous season. He also recorded the first sack of his college career against Georgia Tech.
The experience gained during his first two seasons provided a foundation for Dixon as he prepared for another year in the Eagles' defense.
Justin Wallace entered his redshirt senior season at Memphis as an experienced defensive lineman.
The West Palm Beach native joined the Tigers after previously playing at Western Carolina and prepared for another opportunity to compete during the final stretch of his collegiate career. At 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds, Wallace added veteran experience to the Memphis defensive front entering the season.
Devonte Lyons returned to FIU after gaining valuable experience throughout the 2025 season.
As a redshirt freshman, Lyons appeared in all 13 games and contributed as a runner, receiver and on special teams. He finished the season with 142 rushing yards and a touchdown while adding 12 receptions for 65 yards.
The St. Augustine native entered his redshirt sophomore season with another opportunity to continue developing and expanding his role within the Panthers' offense.
More Than One Season
College football moves quickly.
One season can bring a breakout performance, a bigger role, national recognition, or an opportunity to take the next step toward playing professionally.
But the journey is bigger than any one Saturday.
At Forever Athlete Management, our commitment is to support our athletes throughout that journey, from their college careers and NIL opportunities to preparation for the professional level and everything that comes after football. FAM's representation model is built around long-term career planning, brand development, partnerships, and advocacy beyond game day.
We've already had the privilege of watching members of the FAM family make that transition.
This year, Camden Brown and Swayze Bozeman turned their respective opportunities into spots on NFL 53-man rosters. Their paths were different, but both remind us that the work happening long before Sundays can create opportunities at the next level.
For the FAM athletes taking the field on Saturdays this fall, their stories are still being written.
There will be big plays, difficult moments, milestones, and opportunities along the way.
Through it all, FAM will be there.
To every member of the FAM family competing this college football season: good luck, stay ready, and make every opportunity count.
The 2026 season is here.
Let's work.
Stay tuned to Keeping Up With FAM throughout the season as we highlight the performances, milestones, and stories of our athletes on and off the field.
