Lehigh University Athletics
Three Mountain Hawks Named to Stats Perform Preseason All-America Teams
7/13/2026 9:50:00 AM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Three members of the Lehigh football team have landed on the 2026 Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Team announced Monday. Senior running back Luke Yoder was named to the first team, fifth-year offensive lineman Aidan Palmer was selected for the second team and fifth-year safety Nick Peltekian earned a spot on the third team.
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Lehigh now has three Stats Perform preseason All-Americans for the second consecutive season. Peltekian is a third-team preseason All-American for the second straight year.
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Yoder was a third team Stats Perform All-American following the 2025 season and earned honorable mention All-American honors from the Associated Press. The 2025 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year and a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, Yoder rushed for 1,409 yards last season, the second-highest single-season total in program history. He rushed for 15 touchdowns, with his campaign highlighted by a 234-yard, four-touchdown effort in Lehigh's Rivalry 161 win at Lafayette.
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A mainstay one of the nation's top offensive lines a season ago, Palmer was a first-team All-Patriot League honoree last season and an honorable mention AP All-American. He started all 13 games at left guard after playing left tackle the previous two seasons, and was a key member of a line that paved the way for the No. 5 rushing offense in the FCS, while ranking fourth in fewest sacks allowed.
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One of the top returners on a defensive unit that ranked among the nation's best, Peltekian is a two-time All-Patriot League honoree, earning first team laurels in 2024. Last season, Peltekian had 28 tackles in nine games, adding 1.5 sacks and recording a key interception in the win at Lafayette. Peltekian has 193 tackles and five interceptions for his career.
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The Lehigh trio gives the Mountain Hawks three of the eight Patriot League student-athletes recognized by Stats Perform.
The Mountain Hawks will report for preseason camp at the end of the month. The 2026 season begins at Holy Cross on Saturday, August 29, while the home opener is set for September 12 when Patriot League football newcomer William & Mary visits Goodman Stadium. Season and single game tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at LehighTickets.com or by calling 610-758-4263 during business hours.
Follow Lehigh Football on X/Twitter and Instagram and like on Facebook for exclusive updates throughout the season.Â
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Lehigh now has three Stats Perform preseason All-Americans for the second consecutive season. Peltekian is a third-team preseason All-American for the second straight year.
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Yoder was a third team Stats Perform All-American following the 2025 season and earned honorable mention All-American honors from the Associated Press. The 2025 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year and a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, Yoder rushed for 1,409 yards last season, the second-highest single-season total in program history. He rushed for 15 touchdowns, with his campaign highlighted by a 234-yard, four-touchdown effort in Lehigh's Rivalry 161 win at Lafayette.
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A mainstay one of the nation's top offensive lines a season ago, Palmer was a first-team All-Patriot League honoree last season and an honorable mention AP All-American. He started all 13 games at left guard after playing left tackle the previous two seasons, and was a key member of a line that paved the way for the No. 5 rushing offense in the FCS, while ranking fourth in fewest sacks allowed.
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One of the top returners on a defensive unit that ranked among the nation's best, Peltekian is a two-time All-Patriot League honoree, earning first team laurels in 2024. Last season, Peltekian had 28 tackles in nine games, adding 1.5 sacks and recording a key interception in the win at Lafayette. Peltekian has 193 tackles and five interceptions for his career.
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The Lehigh trio gives the Mountain Hawks three of the eight Patriot League student-athletes recognized by Stats Perform.
The Mountain Hawks will report for preseason camp at the end of the month. The 2026 season begins at Holy Cross on Saturday, August 29, while the home opener is set for September 12 when Patriot League football newcomer William & Mary visits Goodman Stadium. Season and single game tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at LehighTickets.com or by calling 610-758-4263 during business hours.
Follow Lehigh Football on X/Twitter and Instagram and like on Facebook for exclusive updates throughout the season.Â
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Players Mentioned
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