Marlborough, Mass. - August 24, 2026 - With another season of New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) football on the horizon, the conference is set to feature a deep collection of returning standouts and emerging playmakers poised to make an impact this fall. Based on returning production, previous accolades, expanded roles and potential for breakout seasons, here are 10 NEWMAC football players to watch this fall.
1. Tyler Sordillo, DL, Springfield
Senior - Hull, Massachusetts
Sordillo will anchor the defensive unit for Springfield this fall as in 2025 the All-American defensive lineman recorded 56 total tackles (12 solo, 35 assisted), 14 tackles for a loss, 11.5 sacks and a forced fumble. In 2025, Sordillo was named a Second Team All-American by the AFCA and a Third Team All-American by the Associated Press. He was also an All-Region selection, College Sports Communicators Academic All-American and ECAC Defensive Player of the Year. Springfield will be looking for its sixth consecutive NEWMAC title in 2026.
2. Harrison Hensley, RB, Coast Guard
Senior - Riverview, Florida
Hensley will be the top rusher for Coast Guard in 2026 as he returns to New London as the reigning NEWMAC Offensive Player of the Year. Last fall, Hensley ranked in the top-10 nationally in rushing yards per game, total rushing yards, points scored, touchdowns and yards per carry as in ten contests the rising senior posted 1,565 yards on the ground and 18 touchdowns averaging over 150 yards per game. Hensley was named to the New England Football Writers All-Region Team and was an All-American a season ago.
3. Bubba Mustain, QB, Merchant Marine
Junior - Oro Valley, Arizona
Mustain, a returning First Team All-Conference honoree and All-Region selection from 2025, will anchor the offense for Merchant Marine this fall. Mustain rushed for 1,271 yards and scored 15 touchdowns on the ground and also completed 51 passes for 889 yards and nine touchdowns in his sophomore campaign. Mustain ranked third in the NEWMAC in total rushing yards and second in rushing touchdowns only behind Hensley
4. Dominic Hess, DB, MIT
Senior - Damascus, Maryland
Hess had a breakout 2025 campaign as a junior for the Engineers. In nine contests, Hess recorded 45 tackles (25 solo, 25 assisted), posted five interceptions and forced two fumbles. For his efforts, Hess was placed on the NEWMAC All-Conference First Team, was a Second Team All-America selection from the AFCA and a Second Team All-Region honoree. After posting eight tackles and two interceptions against Salve Regina on October 25, Hess earned the New England Football Writers Grinold Chapter Gold Helmet Award.
5. Stanford Davis, FB, Springfield
Senior - Montague, New Jersey
Davis is part of Division III’s top rushing units as he returns to Alden Street after earning First Team All-NEWMAC honors and New England Football Writers All-New England accolades. The rising senior recorded career-highs in rushing yards (853) and touchdowns (4) in 2025 as he averaged nearly 80 yards on the ground per game. Davis is part of a triple option offense that will look to claim its sixth consecutive conference crown in 2026.
6. Sean Burns, QB, Coast Guard
Junior - Abescon, Maryland
Burns was placed on the NEWMAC All-Conference Second Team in 2025 after one of the most successful seasons in Coast Guard history. Burns passed for 2,009 yards and 18 touchdowns through the air and rushed for 224 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. Burns was honored with the New England Football Writers Gold Helmet Award on September 22 after a 92-60 homecoming win over Nichols where he threw for a career-high 384 yards and six touchdowns tying the single game program record.
7. Carter Learned, LB, WPI
Senior - Reading, Massachusetts
Learned returns to WPI after taking home NEWMAC All-Conference Second Team accolades in 2025. As part of the Engineers defensive unit, Learned produced 48 solo tackles and assisted on 37 totaling 85 for the year. Learned also registered a sack and forced a fumble for the WPI defense and for his efforts in the classroom was placed on the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team in 2025.
8. Marcues Jean-Jacques, DB, Salve Regina
Junior - New Canaan, Connecticut
Jean-Jacques played in all ten games for the Seahawks in 2025 totaling 32 tackles (21 solo, 11 assisted), 2.5 tackles for a loss and five interceptions. For his efforts last fall, Jean-Jacques was placed on the NEWMAC All-Conference Second Team as he five interceptions ranked atop the conference tying with Dominic Hess of MIT and also ranked first in the league in pass breakups with 14.
9. Dennis Matich, LB, Maritime
Senior - Floral Park, New York
Rising senior Dennis Matich will be a key piece of Maritime’s defense in 2026 as a season ago he recorded 68 total tackles (38 solo, 30 assisted) and pair of quarterback hurries. He ranked in the top-10 in the NEWMAC in total tackles and led Maritime to an appearance in the 2025 ECAC James Lynah Bowl where the Mariners matched up with Hobart College.
10. Landon Beecher, QB, Norwich
Junior - Holliston, Massachusetts
Beecher played in seven games as a sophomore and produced six of Norwich’s ten touchdowns under center in 2025. He completed 72 passes for 688 yards and also rushed for 27 yards and a score last fall.
About the NEWMAC
The NEWMAC is an association of 13 selective academic institutions: Babson College, Clark University, U.S Coast Guard Academy, Emerson College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mount Holyoke College, Saint Anselm College (beginning reclassification process with NCAA in 2027-28), Salve Regina University, Smith College, Springfield College, Wellesley College, Wheaton College, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, that are committed to providing high quality competitive athletic opportunities for student-athletes within an educational and respectful environment that embodies the NCAA Division III Philosophy. The conference also partners with seven Associate Members: New York University (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), Norwich University (Football), Simmons College (Rowing), SUNY Maritime College (Football), SUNY New Paltz (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Football), and Vassar College (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), while sponsoring 21 sports.