D’Amato Named to Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List
7/14/2026 3:16:00 PM | Football
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Cal Poly football senior linebacker Mikey D’Amato continues to rack up the preseason awards heading into the 2026 season. Tuesday, D’Amato was named to the Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List.
The Buck Buchanan Award recognizes the top defensive player in NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) football, with this year's preseason watch list highlighting many of the nation's top defensive standouts entering the 2026 season.
D’Amato was one of the best linebackers in the country at the FCS level last season. He earned First Team All-Big Sky honors and was named to three different FCS All-American teams. e led the Big Sky and was tied for fourth in the nation in tackles with 137. That number is the third most in a season in Cal Poly history.
He had seven games with double digit tackles, including a season-high 19 against Sac State. He was also eighth in the Big Sky in sacks with six. He also had 8.5 tackles for loss, three quarterback hurries, a pass breakup, and an interception.
Cal Poly has a history of players who have won the Buck Buchanan Award. Between 2004-2006, Cal Poly had a defensive player win it three straight years. Jordan Beck won it in 2004, Chris Gocong in 2005, and Kyle Shotwell in 2006.
Cal Poly will open its 2026 season Friday, Aug. 28 at home against Big Sky foe Idaho under the lights at Mustang Memorial Field for a 7 p.m. kickoff. The game will be televised on ESPN.
