2024 Mason/Brennan Preseason Hype! Awards: Who has the most hype headed into the first preseason game?

Who’s got the hype?

Former Washington Redskins 6th round draft pick Colt Brennan passed away at the way-too-young age of 37 three years ago. 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.

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

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The Nominees:

Tyler Owens, S – UDFA (2024) – Owens made headlines at this year’s NFL Combine for his views on outer space, but he’s an athletic freak that Washington made a priority free agent after the draft. He’s been making plays in camp, and is always around the ball. He’s already being penciled into the initial 53-man roster by a lot of fans.

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Mason Brooks, OG – UDFA (2023) – Brooks was a priority UDFA signing after last year’s draft. His hype from stonewalling Phidarian Mathis during last year’s camp put him into a mythical category with some hoping for him to win a starting spot. Brooks was getting some reps at left tackle this week with several players missing from practice.

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Colson Yankoff – UDFA (2024) – Yankoff has already beaten out previous Mason/Brennan darling Armani Rogers at TE, and looks like he’s pulling his weight on special teams.

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Brycen Tremayne, WR – UDFA (2023) – Tremayne was on the practice squad last season, and looks like he’s hungry to get a spot on the 53-man roster this year. He’s been making some impressive catches in shorts, and will look to have a big preseason.

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Mitchell Tinsley, WR – UDFA (2023) – Mitch Tinsley was an offseason star that made the 53-man roster last year, but didn’t get any opportunities last season. He’s back this year, breaking ankles in training camp, and looking for another chance on the main roster.

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Davion Davis – FA(2024) – Davis was an undrafted free agent in 2019 who’s been floating around the league. His name has been popping up all summer, and he’s looking to earn a spot.

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Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint – UDFA(2024) – Is one one-handed catch enough to get nominated? Yep.

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Javontae Jean-Baptiste, EDGE – 7th round (2024) – JJB is the only player from this year’s draft that is eligible for the Mason/Brennan’s this year, and he’s been “flashing on the edge” all summer. He should make an impact during the preseason games.

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Tariq Castro-Fields, CB – Waivers (2022) – Castro-Fields was picked up on waivers two years ago, and he was drafted by Adam Peters when he was with the San Francisco 49ers. TCF has been turning heads in camp, and he plays a position that has a lot of room for change.

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Sam Hartman, QB UDFA(2024) – The signal caller from Notre Dame has been getting a lot of attention from the photographers’ and Joe Shoen’s grandmother. He’s got a close relationship with fellow rookie QB Jayden Daniels, and he’s going to get a lot of tv while he’s with the team.

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