Mason/Brennan Preseason Hype! Award: Who has the most hype after Week 1?

Former Washington Redskins 6th-round draft pick Colt Brennan was a star in college at the University of Hawaii and brought that hype with him to Washington in 2008. Brennan was a cult sensation during his brief time here, and was the inspiration for the annual Mason/Brennan Preseason Hype! Awards here at Hogs Haven. Brennan passed away at the way-too-young age of 37 five years ago.

This was started as a tongue-in-cheek tribute to players that fans push to the moon before they play a snap, or after one great performance in the preseason. But it also puts the focus on some of the unheralded players who fans hype up and have a fighter’s chance at making Washington’s roster. Colt Brennan was a great college player that lit up the preseason, but injuries and other issues saw him flame out in the NFL early. RIP Colt and thanks for the inspiration.

The Rules:

1. Player must have been drafted late or signed by the Redskins as an undrafted free agent. Players that have only been on other teams practice squads that are signed by the team are also eligible.

2. A player that has been on the team for several years is still eligible if most of that time has been spent on the practice squad, inactive, or with very limited productivity/time

The Keenan “the Barbarian” Robinson Amendment: only 6th-round draft picks or later for their first two years in the league.

This is the third year of the Adam Peters/Dan Quinn era in Washington, and they are looking for a big rebound from last year’s disappointing 5-12 season. They entered last season with Super Bowl aspirations after getting to the NFC Championship Game in Year 1. Quinn replaced both his coordinators, and Peters worked on fixing the broken defense.

Training camp opened last week, so it’s time for another round of the Mason/Brennan Preseason Hype! Awards to check in on who’s getting fans excited early. Last season saw Bill Croskey-Merritt turn from preseason hype monster, to winning the Pepsi Rookie of the Week Award four times last season.

The Nominees:

Robert Henry Jr., RB – UDFA (2026) – Robert Henry Jr. joined the team with some hype based on his college highlights, but he’s had a pretty quiet offseason and training camp. That all changed on Friday night when he hit the field and brought some excitement with his running style. Fans are set on him not only making the roster, but having an impact as a rookie. He should be fun to watch for the rest of preseason!

Kaytron “Fatman” Allen, RB – 6th round (2026) – Fatman got his first NFL touchdown on Friday night, but it wasn’t until fellow rookie Robert Henry Jr. got his first, which Allen said inspired him. That competition will be more intense with Jeremy McNichols missing the next few weeks with a quad injury. Allen didn’t lose a single yard on his carries, and will have a place in the offense.

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Malik Spencer, S – UDFA (2026) – Malik Spencer got the first interception of training camp, and pulled in the last of three interceptions in the preseason game against Miami. Spencer benefited from veteran DT Byron Cowart hitting Dolphins backup QB Quinn Ewers as he threw. Spencer plays a position that has some uncertainty and more good performances will help his chances at a spot on the roster or practice squad.

Athan Kaliakmanis, QB – 7th round (2026) – Sam Hartman came into Friday night’s game earlier than expected after Marcus Mariota sprained his knee after four plays. Hartman was not good, throwing a pick, and looking indecisive with no zip on the ball. When Athan Kaliakmanis came in it was a night and day experience with AK16 slinging the ball all over the field. Fans were grateful along with the team’s wide receivers when Kaliakmanis went under center to finish the game. Expect to see a lot more of the Baklava Bomber over the next two games.

Colson Yankoff, TE – UDFA (2024) – I was asked this week by Bill if Colson Yankoff was still eligible for this prestigious award since he hasn’t been nominated this year. He is indeed eligible based on his lack of playing time on offense over his first two seasons with the team. Yankoff has been having impressive catch after impressive catch in training camp, even getting called the MVP of camp by a content creator who is covering it every day. Is Yankoff better than former second-round pick Ben Sinnott? It could get there if he shows out over the next two weeks.

Matt Gulbin, C – 6th round (2026) – Matt Gulbin was a Day 3 pick at a position with a good opportunity to win sooner than later with Nick Allegretti projected to start after Tyler Biadasz was released. Allegretti got hurt on the first day of training camp, and Gulbin has been working to move up the depth chart. Friday night was his first NFL action and he held his own, showing potential at the next level. The center position has been a high anxiety point for fans (and probably coaches), and Gulbin developing into a draft steal would be huge for the team’s future.