Yale University’s football program is once again entering a season with lofty expectations, riding the momentum of a historic 2025 campaign that culminated in an Ivy League championship and a first‑ever automatic berth into the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs.
Preseason Poll Highlights
The Bulldogs captured 127 votes in the Ivy League preseason poll, including 15 first‑place selections, edging out rivals such as Harvard, Dartmouth and Pennsylvania as the clear favorite to repeat as champions.
Honors for Defensive Standouts
Senior linebacker Abu Kamara was named Phil Steele’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and earned a spot on the Stats Perform FCS Preseason All‑America Team, while also appearing on the Buck Buchanan Award watch list.
Four Yale defenders — Kamara, Phoenix Grant, Zairion Jackson‑Bass and Jaylin Tate — received first‑team honors from Steele, with Brandon Webster placed on the second team and Jaxton Santiago and Quinton Lewis also recognized on offense.
Special‑teams contributor Noah Piper earned a second‑team nod, rounding out a comprehensive slate of preseason recognitions.
Coaching Transition and Schedule
Kevin Cahill, who succeeded Tony Reno as head coach, will guide the Bulldogs as they open the 2026 slate on September 19 at Holy Cross, followed by matchups against Cornell and Merrimack.
The team aims to extend its Ivy League dominance, having finished the previous season 9‑3 overall and 6‑1 in conference play, a run that ended with a loss to eventual national champion Montana State.