Eight Bobcats Named to Phil Steele's Preseason All-MAC Team

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ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio football program landed eight student-athletes on Phil Steele's 2026 Preseason Mid-American Conference Team.

Redshirt junior safety DJ Walker made Preseason First Team, while junior running back Duncan Brune, senior defensive lineman Nehemiah Dukes and redshirt senior linebacker Michael Molnar were all named Preseason Second Team. Sophomore linebacker Charlie Christopher and redshirt senior long snapper Nick Hemer earned Preseason Third Team recognition, while both senior offensive lineman CJ Dawson II and redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Seth Anstead rounded out the Bobcats on the Preseason Fourth Team.

Anstead (Chelsea, Mich.) appeared in 12 games for the Bobcats in 2025, helping the offense average 27.7 points per game.

Brune (Cologne, Germany) appeared in all 13 games for Ohio in 2025, recording 585 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns. Notably, he tallied two rushing touchdowns on two separate occurrences against NIU (Oct. 18) and UMass (Nov. 18), also recording his first career 100-yard rushing game against NIU. Brune wrapped up the season with his first Academic All-MAC nod.

Christopher (Uniontown, Ohio) started in six games as a true freshman in 2025, appearing in all 13 games for Ohio. He tallied 63 total tackles, including 3.5 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks, broke up two passes, recorded one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Notably, Christopher forced a fumble against NIU (Oct. 18) and recorded his first career sack against Miami (Nov. 4).

Dawson II (Green, Ohio) comes to Ohio by way of Gardner-Webb, where he appeared in 24 games across two seasons (2024-25). Following the 2025 season, he earned All-Big South Honorable Mention. Previously, Dawson also played for Tiffin (2022-23).

Dukes (Douglasville, Ga.) had a strong debut season with the Bobcats, starting in all 13 games in 2025. He tallied 30 total tackles with seven solo stops, including two for a loss and one sack. Notably, Dukes recorded his first sack as a Bobcat against West Virginia (Sept. 6).

Hemer (Pittsburgh, Pa.) appeared in all 13 games for Ohio in 2025. He came to Ohio by way of Hutchinson Community College (2024), earning 2024 CFB Network JUCO Second Team All-American recognition. Notably, Hemer was named 247Sports 3-star long snapper and No. 1-ranked JUCO long snapper. Previously, he played for the Buffalo Bulls.

Molnar (Mason, Ohio) started in eight games during the 2025 season. He tallied 73 total tackles— including 5.5 for a loss— 25 solo stops, and 1.5 sacks. Molnar recorded his first career sack against West Virginia (Sept. 6), ultimately earning MAC Defensive Player of the Week accolades for his performance in the Bobcats' home opener (Sept. 8).

Walker (Aliquippa, Pa.) captained the 2025 squad, starting in all 13 games. He tallied 61 tackles, including 37 solo stops and 6 tackles for a loss. On the season, Walker recorded two interceptions and one pass breakup. His first interception came against Bowling Green (Sept. 27) and his second against UNLV in the Scooters Coffee Frisco Bowl (Dec. 23)

The Bobcats' 12-game slate features six games at Frank Solich Field at Peden Stadium, including four Saturdays. With first-year head coach John Hauser at the helm, Ohio is looking to continue its winning streak in Athens. The 13-game streak, which dates back to the 2023 season, is the Bobcats' longest home-game winning streak in program history. Notably, the program has won 40 games in four seasons (2022-25), 23 of which were on home turf. Additionally, Ohio has won its last four home openers, highlighted by a 17-10 victory over the West Virginia Mountaineers (Sept. 6, 2025).

2026 season tickets are available now; click here to purchase online or call the ticket office at 740-593-1300. Season tickets will be available for purchase until Ohio's home opener against Jacksonville State (Sept. 12). Packages start as low as $55; click here for more information.

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Eight Bobcats Named to Phil Steele's Preseason All-MAC Team

Players Mentioned

Seth Anstead

Duncan Brune

Charlie Christopher

CJ Dawson II

Nehemiah Dukes

Nick Hemer

Michael Molnar

DJ Walker

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