The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) has released its 2026 preseason football honors and predicted order of finish, with defending powerhouse Edward Waters entering the season as the team to beat.
The Tigers not only claimed the top spot in the preseason poll, but also swept the conference’s top individual awards. Senior running back Johntarrious Thomas was named SIAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while junior linebacker Trevon French earned Preseason Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Edward Waters leads preseason recognition
Edward Waters placed four players on the First Team All-SIAC squad, highlighted by Thomas and French. Running back Johntarrious Thomas anchors an explosive offense after a standout 2025 campaign, while French headlines a defense expected to be among the conference’s best.
The Tigers also landed defensive back Aykenon Rodgers on the first team and tight end Fatoma Paulk and defensive lineman Jaevin Jenkins on the second team, underscoring the depth that has them favored to win the SIAC title.
Benedict, Allen and Morehouse well represented
Benedict, projected to finish second in the conference, led all schools with five First Team selections, including three offensive linemen—Isaiah Turner, Isaih Richardson and Jason Miller—along with running back David Smith.
Allen also had an impressive showing with five First Team selections, highlighted by offensive linemen Chance Bush and Zyrus Craft, tight end Michael Bowman and defensive back Aeron Gresham.
Morehouse featured four players across the two preseason teams, including First Team linebacker Sean Johnson and quarterback Miles Scott on the second team.
Clark Atlanta’s Jackson headlines quarterbacks
Clark Atlanta sophomore Xzavier Jackson was voted the conference’s First Team quarterback entering the season after an impressive sophomore campaign, while Morehouse’s Miles Scott earned Second Team honors.
Kentucky State wide receiver Darius Cyprian, Tuskegee receiver EJ Hall, and Allen tight end Michael Bowman rounded out a talented group of offensive skill players on the First Team.
2026 SIAC Predicted Order of Finish
- Edward Waters
- Benedict
- Tuskegee
- Albany State
- Kentucky State
- Allen
- Miles
- Fort Valley State
- Savannah State
- Clark Atlanta
- Central State
- Morehouse
- Lane
| FIRST TEAM | ||||
| POSITION | NAME | SCHOOL | CLASS | HOMETOWN |
| Offensive Line | Chance Bush* | Allen | Junior | Augusta, Ga. |
| Offensive Line | Isaiah Turner* | Benedict | R-Senior | Abbeville, Ga. |
| Offensive Line | Zyrus Craft* | Allen | Graduate | Magee, Miss. |
| Offensive Line | Isaih Richardson* | Benedict | R-Sophomore | Charleston, S.C. |
| Offensive Line | Jason Miller* | Benedict | Senior | Columbus, Ohio |
| Tight End | Michael Bowman* | Allen | R-Junior | Orangeburg, S.C. |
| Wide Receiver | Darius Cyprian* | Kentucky State | Senior | Baton Rouge, La. |
| Wide Receiver | EJ Hall* | Tuskegee | R-Sophomore | Tuskegee, Ala. |
| Running Back | Johntarrious Thomas* | Edward Waters | Senior | Gadsden County, Fla. |
| Running Back | David Smith | Benedict | R-Junior | Houston, Texas |
| Quarterback | Xzavier Jackson | Clark Atlanta | Sophomore | Tampa, Fla. |
| Defensive Line | Derrick Drayton* | Albany State | R-Senior | College Park, Ga. |
| Defensive Line | Jaiden Cleveland | Clark Atlanta | Junior | Montgomery, Ala. |
| Defensive Line | Zach Underwood | Morehouse | R-Sophomore | Montgomery, Ala. |
| Defensive Line | Masiah Wells | Tuskegee | Graduate | Jacksonville, Fla. |
| Linebacker | Trevon French* | Edward Waters | Junior | Powder Springs, Ga. |
| Linebacker | Bishop Blakely | Central State | Senior | Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. |
| Linebacker | Sean Johnson | Morehouse | Senior | Newnan, Ga. |
| Defensive Back | Travion Searcy* | Central State | Senior | Macon, Ga. |
| Defensive Back | Aeron Gresham* | Allen | R-Junior | Covington, Ga. |
| Defensive Back | Lawrence McConnell | Kentucky State | Senior | St. Louis, Mo. |
| Defensive Back | Aykenon Rodgers | Edward Waters | Junior | Fort Lauderdale, Fla. |
| Kicker | Lorcan Ryans* | Tuskegee | Senior | Limerick, Ireland |
| Punter | Elan Hall | Fort Valley State | Senior | Kennesaw, Ga. |
| Punt Returner | Donte Curry Jr.* | Fort Valley State | Junior | McDonough, Ga. |
| Kick Returner | Cameron Watts* | Albany State | Senior | Tyrone, Ga. |
| – * RETURNING 2025 ALL-SIAC SELECTION | ||||
| SECOND TEAM | ||||
| POSITION | NAME | SCHOOL | CLASS | HOMETOWN |
| Offensive Line | Censere Wright* | Fort Valley State | Sophomore | Covington, Ga. |
| Offensive Line | Adam Badwan | Kentucky State | Senior | St. Louis, Mo. |
| Offensive Line | Christopher Allen | Morehouse | Sophomore | Atlanta, Ga. |
| Offensive Line | Ashton Morris | Allen | Senior | Tampa, Fla. |
| Offensive Line | Theodis Collins | Morehouse | Sophomore | St. Louis, Mo. |
| Tight End | Fatoma Paulk | Edward Waters | Junior | Miami, Fla. |
| Wide Receiver | Eric Stephens | Morehouse | R-Sophomore | Mililani, Hawaii |
| Wide Receiver | J.T. Pendleton | Fort Valley State | Senior | Mobile, Ala. |
| Running Back | Johnny Morris | Tuskegee | Graduate | Spanish Fort, Ala. |
| Running Back | Micheal Cabellero | Fort Valley State | Senior | Savannah, Ga. |
| Quarterback | Miles Scott | Morehouse | Senior | Laurel, Md. |
| Defensive Line | Javontae Cooper | Miles | R-Senior | Lanett, Ala. |
| Defensive Line | Jordan Diggins | Kentucky State | Senior | Indianapolis, Ind. |
| Defensive Line | Luca Chuecos | Morehouse | R-Junior | Atlanta, Ga. |
| Defensive Line | Jaevin Jenkins | Edward Waters | Sophomore | Mobile, Ala. |
| Linebacker | Kendrick Curry | Kentucky State | Junior | Athens, Ga. |
| Linebacker | Stephen Rowser | Morehouse | Junior | Cartersville, Ga. |
| Linebacker | Elijah Henderson | Kentucky State | Senior | Jackson, Tenn. |
| Defensive Back | Jeremiah Malbroue | Lane | Junior | Houston, Texas |
| Defensive Back | Trei’Shaun Sanders | Central State | Sophomore | Xenia, Ohio |
| Defensive Back | Joshua Maye | Morehouse | Senior | Montgomery, Ala. |
| Defensive Back | Tray Blackmon Jr. | Kentucky State | Senior | LaGrange, Ga. |
| Kicker | Logan Karwacki | Benedict | Sophomore | Aurora, Colo. |
| Punter | Seve Spruill | Morehouse | Senior | Conshohocken, Pa. |
| Punt Returner | Cameron Watts* | Albany State | Senior | Tyrone, Ga. |
| Kick Returner | Chry’shawn Sellers | Clark Atlanta | Sophomore | Atlanta, Ga. |
| – * RETURNING 2025 ALL-SIAC SELECTION | ||||
| PRESEASON OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR | ||||
| NAME | SCHOOL | CLASS | HOMETOWN | |
| Johntarrious Thomas | Edward Waters | Senior | Gadsden County, Fla. | |
| PRESEASON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR | ||||
| NAME | SCHOOL | CLASS | HOMETOWN | |
| Trevon French | Edward Waters | Junior | Powder Springs, Ga. | |
| PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH | |
| 1. Edward Waters | |
| 2. Benedict | |
| 3. Tuskegee | |
| 4. Albany State | |
| 5. Kentucky State | |
| 6. Allen | |
| 7. Miles | |
| 8. Fort Valley State | |
| 9. Savannah State | |
| 10. Clark Atlanta | |
| 11. Central State | |
| 12. Morehouse | |
| 13. Lane |
