The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) has officially unveiled its 2026 Football Preseason Awards and All-SWAC teams, with Alabama State quarterback Andrew Body and Jackson State defensive back Kam Sallis earning the league’s top individual honors.
Body was voted the 2026 SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year after leading one of the conference’s most dynamic offenses last season. The Hornets signal-caller also earned First Team All-SWAC honors at quarterback.
In just eight games during the 2025 campaign, Body completed 113 of 160 passes (70.6%) for 1,770 yards, 20 touchdowns, and only one interception. He added another 500 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground while averaging 221.3 passing yards per game and posting a stellar 203.6 passer efficiency rating. His performance helped propel Alabama State to a 10-2 overall record and a 7-1 mark in SWAC play.
On the defensive side, Jackson State’s Kam Sallis was selected as the 2026 SWAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year while also earning First Team All-SWAC recognition.
Sallis anchored a Tigers defense that ranked among the conference’s elite in 2025. He recorded two interceptions while helping Jackson State hold opponents to just 18.8 points and 111.7 rushing yards per game. The Tigers finished the season 9-3 overall, 7-1 in conference play, and advanced to the SWAC Football Championship Game.
Alabama State led all conference programs with nine preseason All-SWAC selections. Jackson State, Bethune-Cookman, and Alcorn State each placed six players on the preseason teams, while Prairie View A&M, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, and Alabama A&M followed with five selections apiece.
The 2026 SWAC football season is scheduled to kick off on Thursday, August 27, as teams begin their pursuit of division titles and a berth in the 2026 SWAC Football Championship Game.
2026 SWAC Football Preseason Awards
Offensive Player of the Year
Andrew Body, Alabama State
Defensive Player of the Year
Kam Sallis, Jackson State
2026 Preseason All-SWAC First Team
Offense
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, Alcorn State
Wide Receiver: Nate Rembert, Jackson State
Wide Receiver: D’Avery Robinson, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Tight End: Travon Jones, Prairie View A&M
Defense
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
Specialists
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 Preseason All-SWAC Second Team
Offense
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: Jayden Daniels, Texas Southern
Offensive Line: Alexander Vigil, Grambling State
Offensive Line: Nick Carter, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Wide Receiver: Roriyon Richardson, Texas Southern
Wide Receiver: Jordan Chambers-Smith, Alabama A&M
Tight End: Kordell Rodgers, Texas Southern
Defense
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
Specialists
Place Kicker: Andrew Abu-Akel, Alabama State
Return Specialist: Jay’Shaun Johnson, Grambling State
Long Snapper: Garrett Wilemon, Alabama State
