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2025 Mason/Brennan Preseason Hype! Awards: Who has the most hype before the first game?

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Who’s got the hype?

Former Washington Redskins 6th round draft pick Colt Brennan was a star in college at the University of Hawaii and brought that hype with him to Washington in 2008. Brennan was a cult sensation during his brief time here, and was the inspiration for the annual Mason/Brennan Preseason Hype! Awards here at Hogs Haven. Brennan passed away at the way-too-young age of 37 four years ago.

This was started as a tongue-in-cheek tribute to players that fans push to the moon before they play a snap, or after one great performance in the preseason. But it also puts the focus on some of the unheralded players who fans hype up and have a fighter’s chance at making Washington’s roster. Colt Brennan was a great college player that lit up the preseason, but injuries and other issues saw him flame out in the NFL early. RIP Colt and thanks for the inspiration.

(*Editor’s note: The text from the below description is word-for-word from the original fanpost that started this award in 2013)

Every season, a new class of draft picks and undrafted free agents are signed during the preseason. The majority of these players will never be on the roster for a regular season game, but the few diamond in the rough late round/UDFA players who do bring hope to players and fans. That racetrack betting slip that you find on the floor that someone didn’t scout properly.

Redskins fans are very familiar with the hype that comes with the offseason, especially over the last two decades of dreary seasons. Between the overpriced free agent signings, and the overhyped preseason performances by rookies, we were the perennial offseason champions. Names like Marko Mitchell, Marcus Mason, Brandon Banks, and everyone’s favorite Colt Brennan became legendary in training camp and preseason, only to be relegated to the practice squad or the bowels of the depth chart, never to be heard from again. Last year’s preseason hero was Alfred Morris who rose up due to injury and necessity after being deemed a practice squad candidate by many, and we all know how that turned out.

Hype is a very real, and very exciting part of football in the preseason. We all read the daily training camp reports and get excited at the prospect of a late round pass rusher getting sack after sack on 3rd string offensive lineman, or a wide receiver catching everything thrown his way, or a running back who’s not injured.

The Mason/Brennan award has been given out unofficially by the fans for years to each preseason’s most hyped players, but now we’re going to make it official, and bring it to a vote. This week’s vote will cover the draft and training camp. Place your vote for who you feel has been the most hyped player up to this point, whether the hype is deserved or not. After each preseason game a new vote will be taken to see how the hype changes.

The Rules:

1. Player must have been drafted late or signed by the Redskins as an undrafted free agent. Players that have only been on other teams practice squads that are signed by the team are also eligible.

2. A player that has been on the team for several years is still eligible if most of that time has been spent on the practice squad, inactive, or with very limited productivity/time

The Keenan “the Barbarian” Robinson Amendment: only 6th round draft picks or later for their first two years in the league

This is the second year of the Adam Peters/Dan Quinn era in Washington, and they are a team with Super Bowl aspirations after making it to the NFC Championship Game last season. This roster has gone through drastic changes, and there are a lot of veterans that have been brought in to stabilize it after four years of Ron Rivera tearing it down.

The first list of the preseason features 7 nominees, and only one of them is a wide receiver which is very odd for this award. There are a lot of veterans fighting for offseason spots that used to be occupied by the Brycen Tremayne’s and Mitchell Tinsley’s of the past. Ja’Corey Brooks was on fire to start training camp, catching multiple TDs, but has faded from the spotlight.

That’s alright because we have “Bill” Jacory Croskey-Merritt taking all the hype from the offensive side of the ball since getting drafted in the 7th round in April. He has enjoyed an epic hype train that will see him take over the RB1 spot from Brian Robinson sooner rather than later. Everybody loves Bill.

The Nominees:

Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt, RB – 7th round (2025) – Jacory Croskey-Merritt, aka Bill, has been a fan favorite since getting drafted, and he’s been putting in the work on the field during mini-camp, OTAs, and training camp. Fans, players, media, and coaches have all had good things to say about the the rookie who is expected to take the RB1 spot from Brian Robinson Jr by some fans.

Tyler Owens, S – UDFA (2024) – Tyler Owens is entering his second season with the Commanders after signing as an UDFA last year. He’s an athletic freak that has been making plays during camp, and is looking for more playing time this season and not just on special teams.

Ja’Corey Brooks, WR – UDFA (2025) – Ja’Corey started out this year’s training camp making multiple touchdown catches during his work with the Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota. His hype has dulled, but that’s what preseason games are for!

Kain Medrano, LB – 6th round (2025) – Kain Medrano has been making some plays, and everyone loves a late round LB that forces fumbles and gets interceptions in training camp. He has been compared to Fred Warner and Kam Chancellor by some very excited fans!

Car’lin Vigers, CB – UDFA (2025) – Car’lin Vigers is an undrafted free agent that joined the Commanders this year. He has been making some plays in training camp, but will need to have a great showing during the preseason to crack the roster.

Sam Hartman, QB – UDFA(2024) – Sam Hartman continues his role as Jayden Daniels’ wingman going into their second year together in Washington. Jayden cheers his backup on during some really good throws during this year’s training camp.

Timothy McKay, OL – UDFA (2025) – McKay was touted as a potential mid round pick before suffering a pec injury at his pro day. Washington gave him a big signing bonus and stashed him on the NFI list. After Nate Herbig’s surprise retirement, McKay was cleared to practice, and try to earn a spot on the team, or this year’s practice squad.