Mekhi Wilson Named to D3football.com Preseason All-America Team

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - D3football.com has released its Preseason All-America Team for the 2026 season and UMass Dartmouth student-athlete Mekhi Wilson has been selected. The senior running back was tabbed to the Third Team, becoming the first Corsair in program history to earn Preseason All-America honors.
 
Wilson, a native of Narragansett, R.I., led the MASCAC in rushing yards with 1,294 – which was 452 yards ahead of second place in the conference. With 214 carries, he averaged 129.4 yards per contest – which also ranked first among the conference's best. His 18 rushing touchdowns on the season were also a MASCAC-high – finishing with seven more than second place – while not fumbling the ball at all during the 2025 season.
 
Among the best in Division III, Wilson ranked eighth overall in rushing yards per game and was ninth in rushing touchdowns. He was 10th in scoring (11.4 points per game), 12th in total rushing yards, 13th in total touchdowns (19), 16th in total points scored currently ranks eighth in rushing touchdowns and rushing yards per game, ninth in rushing yards, 12th in scoring (11.4), total touchdowns (19) and total points scored (114), 24th in all-purpose yards (141.1) and 30th in rushing yards per carry (6.05).
 
In 10 games during the 2025 season, Wilson recorded eight contests with at least 100+ yards rushing, including a career-high 218 yards with five touchdowns and a receiving touchdown – accounting for all Corsairs' touchdowns - in a 42-21 win over Plymouth State on November 15. That performance earned him the Weekly Gold Helmet Award for DII/DIII from the New England Football Writers', along with MASCAC Offensive Performer of the Week recognition.
 
In addition to his weekly honors, Wilson was an All-MASCAC First Team Offense selection, along with NEFW DII/DIII All-New England Honors – one of just four running backs named in the region. Wilson was also a D3football.com All-Region Second Team Offense honoree.
 
Wilson eclipsed the single season record for rushing touchdowns in a season with 18 during the win over the Panthers, surpassing the previous mark of 16 set by J.T. Harold in both the 2007 and 2008 seasons, as well as Mike Masse in 1997. Additionally, Wilson finished with the third-most rushing yards in a single season behind Harold (1567) in 2008 and Shawn Theriault (1535) in 2003.
 
Through 25 career games with the Corsairs, Wilson has accumulated 1,834 yards on 278 carries, averaging 73.4 yards per game and 6.6 yards per carry. His 1,834 yards, ranks him fifth all-time in program history, while his 23 career rushing touchdowns puts him fifth all-time.
 
UMass Dartmouth – which went 6-4 overall and 6-3 in conference play – opens its 2026 campaign on Friday, September 4 when it hosts Salve Regina University on Cressy Field. Kickoff is set for 7pm.