DENVER, Colo. — The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) officially announced its 2026 Preseason Football Coaches' Poll and Preseason All-RMAC Team on Wednesday morning in conjunction with the annual RMAC Football Kickoff broadcast.
Adams State University was picked 10th in the poll, earning 10 points in the voting conducted by the league's 10 head coaches.
Two-time defending conference champion Colorado State University Pueblo claimed the top spot in the poll with 80 points, securing eight of nine possible first-place votes. Western Colorado University followed in second with 69 points (one first-place vote), while Colorado School of Mines took third with 62 points.
Chadron State College picked up the remaining first-place vote and landed fourth with 60 points, followed by Colorado Mesa University (52 pts) to round out the top half. New Mexico Highlands University (38 pts), South Dakota Mines (34 pts), Black Hills State University (29 pts), and Fort Lewis College (16 pts) made up positions six through nine ahead of the Grizzlies.
Western Colorado led all institutions with seven Preseason All-RMAC honorees. In total, 32 student-athletes were named to the preseason unit based on returned voting from the 2025 All-RMAC teams.
Two Grizzlies to keep an eye on this season are team captain Zach Ray and spring transfer Andre Branch.
Ray returns as one of the leaders of the Adams State defense after appearing in five games and making four starts during the 2025 season. He recorded 19 total tackles and a pass breakup before injury shortened his year. In 2024, Ray appeared in 11 games, totaling 39 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and two pass breakups. His experience and leadership will be key as he anchors the Grizzlies' defense this fall.
On the offensive side, Branch brings an exciting new dimension to the Grizzlies after transferring to the program this spring. The former West Texas A&M Kingsville standout played in 11 games last season, rushing for 337 yards and four touchdowns while adding 92 receiving yards. His versatility and playmaking ability are expected to provide valuable depth and another offensive weapon for the Grizzlies in 2026.
Head Coach Levi Gallas had this to say about the upcoming season, "The season ahead won't be decided by one game, one play, or one moment. It will de decided by the choices we make every day. Every workout, every meeting, every practice, and every conversation is an opportunity to raise the standard. If we commit ourselves to doing what is right, putting the team before ourselves, and finishing every task with excellence, the scoreboard will simply reflect who we've already become. WE will do what is right. It will take all of US. This is OUR team. WE FINISH."
The Grizzlies kick off the 2026 campaign at Rex Stadium on Thursday, August 27, when they host Western New Mexico University at 6:00 p.m.
2026 RMAC Football Preseason Coaches' Poll
(1st-Place Votes) | Points
1. CSU Pueblo (8) – 80
2. Western Colorado (1) – 69
3. Colorado School of Mines – 62
4. Chadron State (1) – 60
5. Colorado Mesa – 52
6. New Mexico Highlands – 38
7. South Dakota Mines – 34
8. Black Hills State – 29
9. Fort Lewis – 16
10. Adams State – 10
