PUEBLO, Colo. – With the start of the 2026 football season less than 24 hours away, Colorado State University Pueblo senior safety Kahden Rullo (Denver, Colo./Grandview) has been named by The DII Report as one of 26 candidates for the 2026 NCAA Division II Player of the Year.
The 26 Player of the Year candidates were selected by Wayne Cavadi, who covers NCAA Division II for NCAA.com and is the creator of The DII Report.
In unveiling his 26 preseason Player of the Year candidates, Cavadi noted the numerous national honors available to Division II football players, including the Harlon Hill Trophy, which is presented annually to the Division II College Football Player of the Year.
Rullo was one of 10 defensive players named to the list and one of three players from the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference selected. Joining Rullo from the RMAC were Western Colorado linebacker Kade Musser and Chadron State edge rusher William Stemler.
Rullo, who was named a Preseason All-RMAC selection earlier this month and is a two-time Honorable Mention All-RMAC honoree, recorded 60 total tackles last season, including 39 solo stops. He added six tackles for loss, two sacks, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery, while leading the Pack with seven pass break-ups.
In three seasons with the ThunderWolves, Rullo has played in 35 games and recorded 111 tackles, including 73 solo stops. He has also tallied 10 tackles for loss, five sacks, three interceptions, 12 pass break-ups, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Cavadi tabbed Kutztown (Pa.) University quarterback Judd Novak as the preseason favorite for the Harlon Hill Trophy. Novak is one of seven quarterbacks among the 26 candidates.
Along with the seven quarterbacks and 10 defensive players, the list features six running backs and three receivers.
Last season, Virginia Union's Curtis Allen captured the Harlon Hill Trophy after rushing for 2,000 yards. Allen became the 15th running back to win the award since its inception in 1986.
Cavadi's 26 Division II Player of the Year Candidates
- Judd Novak, QB, Kutztown (Pa.)
- Wyatt Bower, QB, Ferris State
- Dylan Hair, QB, Truman State (Mo.)
- Gunner Hensley, QB, Augustana (S.D.)
- Jett Huff, QB, Central Oklahoma
- Andrew Shuster, QB, Grand Valley State
- Donnie Smith, QB, Northeastern State
- Sam Backer, RB, Minnesota State
- Noah Dobert, RB, Northern Michigan
- Owen Doyle, RB, Frostburg State
- Dawson Forgy, RB, Wayne State (Neb.)
- JayJay Jordan, RB, Slippery Rock (Pa.)
- Andrew Miller, RB, Harding (Ark.)
- Taariik Brett, Ferris State
- Denny Furlong, WR, Findlay (Ohio)
- Kurtis Maynor, WR, Minnesota State
- Landon Boss, LB, Emporia State
- Alvin Contreras, DB, Indianapolis
- Derrick Drayton, DL, Albany State (Ga.)
- Noah Johnston, DB, Indiana (Pa.)
- Kade Musser, LB, Western Colorado
- Marvelous Owens, Northeastern State
- Freddie Retter, Kutztown (Pa.)
- Kahden Rullo, DB, CSU Pueblo
- William Stemler, DE, Chadron State
- Jack Talkington, LB, Ashland (Ohio)
Rullo and the rest of the preseason sixth-ranked ThunderWolves open the 2026 season Thursday, Aug. 27, with a 6 p.m. kickoff against Central Missouri at the CSU Pueblo ThunderBowl. The Pack earned a 29-24 victory over the Mules last season in Warrensburg, Mo. Thursday's season opener will be the first of six home games for the ThunderWolves in 2026.
