The honor recognizes excellence on the football field and in the community, and it is named after a record-setting kicker at Wittenberg University and Chicago Tribune sports columnist.

Kickers from Football Championship Series, Divs. 2 and 3, NAIA and National Junior College Athletic Association schools are eligible for the award.

Rodrigues, a Brockton High School graduate, was the Buccaneers’ second-leading scorer last season with 31 point-after conversions and a pair of field goals. He set the school record with eight PATs in a win over Fitchburg State.

As a junior, Rodrigues was named to the Capital One Academic All-America team, earning a spot on the second team to become the first Mass. Maritime honoree in 30 years.

The marine engineering major has a 3.89 grade point average and was on the New England Football Conference and Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference all-academic squads.

Rodrigues, one of only 11 Div. 3 kickers on the national watch list, is a volunteer with the Brockton Library Foundation and is on the Buccaneer Student-Athlete Advisory Committee at school.

The only other New Englanders on the watch list are John Macomber of Holy Cross and Joe Mallock of Williams College. Patrick Murray of Fordham won the award last season.

“To be mentioned with some of the best place-kickers in the country on this year’s Mitchell Award watch list is a great honor for Brandon and for our program,’’ said Mass. Maritime coach Jeremy Cameron in a statement.

“He has continued to excel in competition and in the classroom, and I know he is looking forward to finishing his career on a high note this fall.’’