Fenimore Back on Rimington Trophy Watch List
8/6/2026 11:55:00 AM | Football
For the second year in a row, Liberty's Aaron Fenimore has been recognized as one of the top centers in the country entering the football season.
Today, Fenimore was one of 40 players named to the 2026 Rimington Trophy watch list. The Rimington Trophy is presented to the nation's premier center by the Boomer Esiason Foundation.
This year, the Rimington Trophy committee worked with Pro Football Focus (PFF.com) to narrow down its list to the top 40 centers. PFF.com grades every player on every play of every game on how well they execute their given assignment. That play-by-play grading allowed the Trophy committee to create a watchlist based both on nominations from the schools and data provided by PFF.com.
This is Fenimore's second appearance on the watch list, as he was named to the same listing in 2025.
Fenimore was one of two Conference USA players named to the list, joining Delaware center Steven Dembowski.
The native of Senoia, Ga., was also one of eight players from Group of Six schools. The 40-man listing included four players from the American, two from Conference USA, one from both the Mid-American Conference and the Pac-12.
This watch list selection is one of many preseason honors for Fenimore. He was also included on the 2027 Shriners Children's 1000 Watch List, was a first-team selection on the Athlon Sports CUSA Preseason All-Conference team and a second-team selection on the Phil Steele CUSA Preseason All-Conference team.
Fenimore has been Liberty's starting center for the last two seasons, entering the 2026 season having started the last 24 games at the position.
Fenimore has led the Flames in number of offensive snaps taken the last two seasons, as he has played 97.3 percent of Liberty's offensive plays in 2024 and 2025 (1,661-of-1,707).
According to PFF.com, Fenimore was Liberty's top graded starting offensive lineman in 2025 (73.5) and ranked second on the team in 2024 (73.7).
In 2025, Fenimore helped the Flames ranked third in Conference USA in rushing (194.0 yards per game). Liberty also finished the season ranked fourth in CUSA with 25 rushing touchdowns. Nationally, Liberty finished the 2025 season ranked No. 26 in rushing yards per game.
Fenimore's strong play helped running back Evan Dickens finish the season with 1,339 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns. Dickens ranked No. 9 nationally in rushing yards and No. 6 in rushing touchdowns.
The Rimington Trophy is presented annually to the most outstanding center in NCAA Division I College Football. Since its inception, the award has raised over $5 million for the Boomer Esiason Foundation.
Dave Rimington, the award's namesake, was a consensus first-team All-America center at Nebraska in 1981 and 1982, during which time he became the John Outland Trophy's only two-time winner as the nation's finest college interior lineman.
2025 Football Season Ticket Information
Season tickets are on sale now for the 2026 season! Buying season tickets remains the best cost-saving option to watch Flames Football at Williams Stadium in 2026.
Starting at just $90, fans can save up to 56 percent by purchasing season tickets. Purchase tickets by going to www.LUFootball.com or calling/texting the Flames Ticket Office at (434) 592-5015.
Limited premium seating inventory remains available for club seats as well as cabanas. If you are interested, please contact the Flames Club at (434) 582-2582.
Today, Fenimore was one of 40 players named to the 2026 Rimington Trophy watch list. The Rimington Trophy is presented to the nation's premier center by the Boomer Esiason Foundation.
This year, the Rimington Trophy committee worked with Pro Football Focus (PFF.com) to narrow down its list to the top 40 centers. PFF.com grades every player on every play of every game on how well they execute their given assignment. That play-by-play grading allowed the Trophy committee to create a watchlist based both on nominations from the schools and data provided by PFF.com.
This is Fenimore's second appearance on the watch list, as he was named to the same listing in 2025.
Fenimore was one of two Conference USA players named to the list, joining Delaware center Steven Dembowski.
The native of Senoia, Ga., was also one of eight players from Group of Six schools. The 40-man listing included four players from the American, two from Conference USA, one from both the Mid-American Conference and the Pac-12.
This watch list selection is one of many preseason honors for Fenimore. He was also included on the 2027 Shriners Children's 1000 Watch List, was a first-team selection on the Athlon Sports CUSA Preseason All-Conference team and a second-team selection on the Phil Steele CUSA Preseason All-Conference team.
Fenimore has been Liberty's starting center for the last two seasons, entering the 2026 season having started the last 24 games at the position.
Fenimore has led the Flames in number of offensive snaps taken the last two seasons, as he has played 97.3 percent of Liberty's offensive plays in 2024 and 2025 (1,661-of-1,707).
According to PFF.com, Fenimore was Liberty's top graded starting offensive lineman in 2025 (73.5) and ranked second on the team in 2024 (73.7).
In 2025, Fenimore helped the Flames ranked third in Conference USA in rushing (194.0 yards per game). Liberty also finished the season ranked fourth in CUSA with 25 rushing touchdowns. Nationally, Liberty finished the 2025 season ranked No. 26 in rushing yards per game.
Fenimore's strong play helped running back Evan Dickens finish the season with 1,339 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns. Dickens ranked No. 9 nationally in rushing yards and No. 6 in rushing touchdowns.
The Rimington Trophy is presented annually to the most outstanding center in NCAA Division I College Football. Since its inception, the award has raised over $5 million for the Boomer Esiason Foundation.
Dave Rimington, the award's namesake, was a consensus first-team All-America center at Nebraska in 1981 and 1982, during which time he became the John Outland Trophy's only two-time winner as the nation's finest college interior lineman.
2025 Football Season Ticket Information
Season tickets are on sale now for the 2026 season! Buying season tickets remains the best cost-saving option to watch Flames Football at Williams Stadium in 2026.
Starting at just $90, fans can save up to 56 percent by purchasing season tickets. Purchase tickets by going to www.LUFootball.com or calling/texting the Flames Ticket Office at (434) 592-5015.
Limited premium seating inventory remains available for club seats as well as cabanas. If you are interested, please contact the Flames Club at (434) 582-2582.
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