J.J. Pavlick | Elmont, NY | October 13, 2026 |
WEST POINT, N.Y. — The Boomer Esiason Foundation is officially kicking off its national Rimington Trophy Tour on the banks of the Hudson River, selecting West Point as the premier launchpad for its newly unveiled interactive display.
As part of the highly anticipated Homecoming festivities on Saturday, October 17, 2026, the prestigious Rimington Trophy—the annual honor bestowed upon the most outstanding center in NCAA Division I College Football—will be on full public display at Michie Stadium. The trophy’s arrival coincides with the Army West Point Black Knights hosting their American Athletic Conference opponent, the Florida Atlantic Owls, with kickoff scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
The trophy’s presence casts a massive national spotlight on the Academy, deliberately timed to celebrate Army’s standout junior center, Brady Small, who continues to garner elite national recognition.
Anchoring the Watchlist: Brady Small’s Leadership
Small enters the weekend’s matchup having successfully anchored the Black Knights to a dominant start to the 2026 campaign. For the third consecutive season, the physical offensive lineman has earned a coveted spot on the Rimington Award Watchlist, solidifying his reputation as one of the country’s premier interior blockers.
The nomination comes on the heels of a signature performance by Small and his teammates on the offensive line just last week. Behind Small’s cerebral pre-snap adjustments and physical execution, Army’s rushing attack mauled the Tulane Green Wave for a staggering 322 yards on the ground en route to a gritty 20-17 victory.
“The Rimington Trophy is one of the most prestigious honors in college football,” Army head coach Jeff Monken stated, highlighting the significance of the trophy’s arrival. “The physical and mental toughness it rewards are a perfect match for our program and for what we hope our linemen represent. It recognizes the type of player Brady Small is to us and the leadership, pride, and physical playing style that he brings each day.”
Army Black Knights head coach Jeff Monken on Brady Small
The Fan Experience at Black Knight Alley
The interactive display, transported via the tour’s brand-new “BIG RIM” utility truck, will be fully open to all ticketed spectators ahead of kickoff. Located within the Black Knight Alley fan festival on Victory Plaza—just outside the newly constructed East side of Michie Stadium—the tour stop offers a highly experiential engagement package for football purists.
In addition to rare, up-close photo opportunities with the physical trophy, fans can participate in the “Perfect Snap Contest.” The activation challenges participants to test their own accuracy and velocity snapping a football, with successful participants eligible to win official Rimington Trophy apparel, hats, foam footballs, and drink koozies.
Following its inaugural launch at West Point, the BIG RIM truck will depart New York to continue its select campus tour, prioritizing programs that feature centers actively competing on the 2026 watchlist. Confirmed upcoming destinations include high-profile stops at the University of Virginia and Ohio State University.
Elevating the Community Beyond the Gridiron
While the award represents the pinnacle of individual line play, its underlying institutional mission remains rooted in advocacy. The Rimington Trophy is sponsored directly by the Boomer Esiason Foundation, utilizing the national platform of college football to generate vital funding and widespread public awareness for the cystic fibrosis community.
The award is named in honor of Dave Rimington, the legendary University of Nebraska consensus first-team All-America center (1981–1982) who remains etched in college football lore as the only two-time winner of the Outland Trophy.
Gate structures and fan zones at Black Knight Alley will open early Saturday morning, with athletic officials encouraging fans to arrive early to engage with the display before Monken’s squad takes the field against FAU.
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