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SWAC announces 2026 Preseason All-Conference honors
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The Southwestern Athletic Conference has released its 2026 preseason football awards and All-SWAC teams ahead of the league's annual Media Day, recognizing many of the conference's top returning stars entering the upcoming season.
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Leading this year's preseason honors are Alabama State quarterback Andrew Body , who was named SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, and Jackson State defensive back Kam Sallis, who earned Preseason Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Body enters the 2026 campaign as one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in HBCU football. After a standout 2025 season that established him among the nation's top FCS signal-callers, Body briefly entered the NCAA transfer portal before ultimately withdrawing his name and returning to Alabama State . His decision gives the Hornets continuity at quarterback as they look to build on last season's success and contend for a SWAC championship.
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Sallis, meanwhile, returns as one of the conference's premier defensive playmakers. The Jackson State standout recorded 53 total tackles, including 27 solo stops, while adding two interceptions, two pass breakups and two forced fumbles during the 2025 season. He is expected to once again anchor a Tigers defense that hopes to reclaim the SWAC title and return to the Cricket Celebration Bowl.
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The conference's preseason All-SWAC teams also reflect the league's competitive balance entering the 2026 season. Prairie View A&M, Jackson State, Alabama State and Alabama A&M are among the programs with the strongest representation across the preseason selections, highlighting the depth of talent expected throughout the conference.
The preseason awards arrive just days before SWAC Football Media Day, which is scheduled for Wednesday, July 15, in Birmingham, Alabama. The annual event will feature all 12 football programs as head coaches and student-athletes preview the upcoming season.
The complete 2026 Preseason All-SWAC teams are listed below.
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2026 All-SWAC First Team
Offense
| Position |
Player |
School |
|---|---|---|
| Quarterback |
Andrew Body |
Alabama State |
| Running Back |
Jaylen Jennings |
Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
| Running Back |
Chase Bingmon |
Prairie View A&M |
| Offensive Line |
Elijah Baker |
Alabama State |
| Offensive Line |
Calvin McMillian |
Prairie View A&M |
| Offensive Line |
Quaveon Davis |
Jackson State |
| Offensive Line |
Christian Loving |
Bethune-Cookman |
| Offensive Line |
Cameran Rogers |
|
| Wide Receiver |
Nate Rembert |
Jackson State |
| Wide Receiver |
D'Avery Robinson |
Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
| Tight End |
Travon Jones |
Prairie View A&M |
Defense
| Position |
Player |
School |
|---|---|---|
| Defensive Line |
Malik Gucake |
Prairie View A&M |
| Defensive Line |
Eric Thomas Jr. |
Alcorn State |
| Defensive Line |
Arenza Davis |
Alabama A&M |
| Defensive Line |
Michael Joiner Jr. |
Alabama State |
| Linebacker |
Danarius Hilliard |
Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
| Linebacker |
Wyatt Wright |
Alabama A&M |
| Linebacker |
Stephen Sparrow Jr. |
Bethune-Cookman |
| Defensive Back |
Ta'Shaun Sims |
Alabama State |
| Defensive Back |
Kam Sallis |
Jackson State |
| Defensive Back |
Eric Zachery |
Prairie View A&M |
| Defensive Back |
Herman Brister III |
Southern |
Specialist
| Position |
Player |
School |
|---|---|---|
| Place Kicker |
David Faulk |
Alabama A&M |
| Punter |
Demetrion Duvall |
Alcorn State |
| Return Specialist |
Nehemiah Hixon |
Alabama State |
| Long Snapper |
Cole Hash |
Bethune-Cookman |
2026 All-SWAC Second Team
Offense
| Position |
Player |
School |
|---|---|---|
| Quarterback |
Jared Lockhart |
Jackson State |
| Running Back |
Trey Holly |
Southern |
| Running Back |
Jamarie Hostzclaw |
Alabama State |
| Offensive Line |
Dezmond Penn |
Alabama State |
| Offensive Line |
Abe Diallo |
Alcorn State |
| Offensive Line |
Texas Southern |
|
| Offensive Line |
Alexander Vigil |
Grambling State |
| Offensive Line |
Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
|
| Wide Receiver |
Roriyon Richardson |
Texas Southern |
| Wide Receiver |
Jordan Chambers-Smith |
Alabama A&M |
| Tight End |
Texas Southern |
Defense
| Position |
Player |
School |
| Defensive Line |
Marquis Cagle |
Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
| Defensive Line |
Malik Stinnett |
Bethune-Cookman |
| Defensive Line |
Kenneth Andrews |
Alcorn State |
| Defensive Line |
Isaiah Washburn |
Bethune-Cookman |
| Linebacker |
Marcellius Johnson |
Grambling State |
| Linebacker |
Carmelo Jones |
Jackson State |
| Linebacker |
Douglas Franklin |
Mississippi Valley State |
| Defensive Back |
Naim Lassiter |
Bethune-Cookman |
| Defensive Back |
Keon Handley Jr. |
Alabama A&M |
| Defensive Back |
KJ Chisholm |
Jackson State |
| Defensive Back |
Tayvion Haney |
Alcorn State |
Specialist
| Position |
Player |
School |
|---|---|---|
| Place Kicker |
Andrew Abu-Akel |
Alabama State |
| Return Specialist |
Jay'Shaun Johnson |
Grambling State |
| Long Snapper |
Garrett Wilemon |
Alabama State |
