ALLIANCE, Ohio – Mount Union sophomore quarterback Mikey Maloney (Concord Township, OH/Painesville Riverside) was listed on multiple 2026 Gagliardi Trophy Watch Lists, including FloCollege and Division 1 Rejects.

Maloney, who was named to the 2026 D3football.com Preseason All-America Team, is coming off his first year starting at quarterback with the Purple Raiders, where he earned All-Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) First Team honors and was named the OAC Bob Packard Most Outstanding Offensive Back. In 2025, Maloney led the conference with 42 total touchdowns, including an OAC—best 31 touchdowns through the air. He totaled 3,321 scrimmage yards, including 2,769 passing yards.

The Gagliardi Trophy, given annually since 1993, is awarded to the most outstanding NCAA Division III football player and recognizes excellence in athletics, academics and community service. The award is named after John Gagliardi, Saint John's legendary Hall of Fame football coach.     
 
The 2026 Purple Raiders start their season with a top-5 nationally ranked matchup at Wheaton College in Illinois on Saturday, September 5, at 2 p.m. Eastern. Mount Union is ranked No. 3, while the Thunder is ranked No. 5 in the 2026 D3football.com preseason poll.