The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference has announced its 2026 Football All-SIAC first and second teams, along with its individual award winners, following a vote by the conference’s head football coaches.
Central State quarterback Jackson Wasik headlined this year’s honors, earning both Overall Player of the Year (MVP) and Offensive Player of the Year recognition.
Edward Waters linebacker Trevon French was named Defensive Player of the Year, while Benedict’s Christopher Johnson earned Freshman of the Year honors.
Edward Waters quarterback Tavion Faulk was selected as Newcomer of the Year, and Central State head coach Tony Carter was named Coach of the Year.
Miles offensive lineman Carmelo Turner received the conference’s Elite 17 honor.
- Overall Player of the Year (MVP): Jackson Wasik, Central State
- Offensive Player of the Year: Jackson Wasik, Central State
- Defensive Player of the Year: Trevon French, Edward Waters
- Freshman of the Year: Christopher Johnson, Benedict
- Newcomer of the Year: Tavion Faulk, Edward Waters
- Coach of the Year: Tony Carter, Central State
- Elite 17: Carmelo Turner, Miles
| FIRST TEAM | ||||
| POSITION | NAME | SCHOOL | CLASS | HOMETOWN |
| Offensive Line | Isaiah Turner | Benedict | 5th | Abbeville, Ga. |
| Offensive Line | Carmelo Turner | Miles | Sr. | Atmore, Ala. |
| Offensive Line | Jaylin Walton | Benedict | Sr. | Atlanta, Ga. |
| Offensive Line | Clifford Moore Jr. | Kentucky State | So. | Hammond, La. |
| Offensive Line | Chance Bush | Allen | Jr. | Augusta, Ga. |
| Tight End | Omarion Dupree | Albany State | Sr. | Atlanta, Ga. |
| Wide Receiver | Darius Cyprian | Kentucky State | Sr. | Baton Rouge, La. |
| Wide Receiver | Izaiah Jean-Baptiste | Edward Waters | Sr. | Davenport, Fla. |
| Running Back | David Smith | Benedict | Sr. | Houston, Texas |
| Running Back | Ja’khael Rowser | Tuskegee | Jr. | Hueytown, Ala. |
| Quarterback | Jackson Wasik | Central State | Jr. | Lexington, Ky. |
Defense
| Defensive Line | Ty’Metrius Patterson | Benedict | 5th | Detroit, Mich. |
| Defensive Line | Derrick Drayton | Albany State | Sr. | College Park, Ga. |
| Defensive Line | Adonis Brazil | Savannah State | So. | Thomaston, Ga. |
| Defensive Line | Carlos Bazert | Kentucky State | Jr. | Mansura, La. |
| Linebacker | Trevon French | Edward Waters | Jr. | Powder Springs, Ga. |
| Linebacker | Kahmari Cook | Benedict | Jr. | Buffalo, N.Y. |
| Linebacker | Eric Searcy | Clark Atlanta | Jr. | Atlanta, Ga. |
| Defensive Back | Frederick Lewis Jr. | Lane | So. | New Orleans, La. |
| Defensive Back | Cameron Watts | Albany State | Sr. | Tyrone, Ga. |
| Defensive Back | Ethan Nation | Benedict | Sr. | Roswell, Ga. |
| Defensive Back | D’Juan Grant | Edward Waters | Jr. | Houston, Texas |
| Kicker | Zane Spires | Benedict | So. | Gainesville, Fla. |
| Punter | Garrett Hyder | Benedict | So. | Hoschton, Ga. |
| Punt Returner | Cameron Watts | Albany State | Sr. | Tyrone, Ga. |
| Kick Returner | Cameron Watts | Albany State | Sr. | Tyrone, Ga. |
Cameron Watts of Albany State earned three first-team selections, receiving recognition as a defensive back, punt returner and kick returner.
2026 All-SIAC Second Team
Offensive Players
| SECOND TEAM | ||||
| POSITION | NAME | SCHOOL | CLASS | HOMETOWN |
| Offensive Line | Cameo Jones | Albany State | So. | Cocoa, Fla. |
| Offensive Line | Adam Badwan | Kentucky State | Sr. | St. Louis, Mo. |
| Offensive Line | Antonio Walthour | Tuskegee | Jr. | Hainesville, Ga. |
| Offensive Line | Ty’Orice Brown | Albany State | Sr. | Miami, Fla. |
| Offensive Line | Jalen Cooper | Clark Atlanta | Sr. | Houston, Texas |
| Tight End | Michael Bowman | Allen | Sr. | Orangeburg, S.C. |
| Wide Receiver | Jaden Hale | Kentucky State | 5th | East St. Louis, Ill. |
| Wide Receiver | Avantae Burt | Central State | Jr. | Canton, Ohio |
| Running Back | Javis Floyd Jr. | Allen | So. | Shorter, Ala. |
| Running Back | Johntarrious Thomas | Edward Waters | Sr. | Midway, Fla. |
| Quarterback | Tavion Faulk | Edward Waters | Sr. | Carencro, La. |
Defensive Players
| Defensive Line | Ryan Perry | Benedict | Jr. | McDonough, Ga. |
| Defensive Line | Kingston Lowe | Miles | So. | Gulf Shores, Ala. |
| Defensive Line | Jordan Allen | Edward Waters | Sr. | Clarksdale, Miss. |
| Defensive Line | Jordan Diggins | Kentucky State | Jr. | Indianapolis, Ind. |
| Linebacker | Kendrick Curry | Kentucky State | Jr. | Athens, Ga. |
| Linebacker | JayShawn Smalls | Allen | Jr. | Springfield, S.C. |
| Linebacker | Elijah Henderson | Kentucky State | Jr. | Jackson, La. |
| Defensive Back | Rontavion Scott | Albany State | Jr. | Jacksonville, Fla. |
| Defensive Back | Roman Hernandez | Kentucky State | 5th | Gary, Ind. |
| Defensive Back | Joshua Lee | Benedict | So. | Duncan, S.C. |
| Defensive Back | Kion Threalkill | Fort Valley State | Sr. | Memphis, Tenn. |
Special Teams
| Kicker | Forest Gantz | Kentucky State | So. | Dayton, Ohio |
| Punter | Forest Gantz | Kentucky State | So. | Dayton, Ohio |
| Punt Returner | Jaecyn Myles | Miles | Fr. | Daphne, Ala. |
| Kick Returner | Chris Butler | Benedict | So. | Baltimore, Md. |
A season of recognition across the SIAC
The 2026 All-SIAC selections recognize the conference’s top performers across all three phases of the game.
Wasik’s MVP and Offensive Player of the Year sweep highlights a standout season for Central State, while French’s defensive recognition gives Edward Waters another major individual honor.
Benedict, Edward Waters, Albany State and Kentucky State were among the programs with multiple players represented across the All-SIAC teams.
Congratulations to all the student-athletes and coaches recognized for their accomplishments during the 2026 season.
Source: Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
