Preseason Watch List Spotlights Cal Poly's Defensive Standout
Mikey D'Amato, a senior linebacker for Cal Poly, has earned a spot on the Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List for the upcoming 2026 season, a honor that highlights the top defensive player in NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision.
During the 2025 campaign D'Amato dominated the Big Sky Conference, leading all players with 137 tackles and tying for fourth nationally, a figure that ranks as the third‑highest single‑season total in Cal Poly history.
His impact was evident in seven games of double‑digit tackles, including a season‑high 19 against Sac State, while also recording six sacks, 8.5 tackles for loss, three quarterback hurries, a pass breakup and an interception.
The recognition builds on a proud tradition at Cal Poly, where the program captured three consecutive Buck Buchanan Awards from 2004 to 2006, with Jordan Beck, Chris Gocong and Kyle Shotwell each claiming the honor in those years.
Looking ahead, the Mustangs will open the 2026 schedule on August 28 at Mustang Memorial Field against Idaho, a game that will be broadcast live on ESPN, giving the nation a first look at D'Amato's quest for another defensive accolade.