The SWAC has officially set the tone for the 2026 football season by releasing its preseason all-conference teams and major award winners.
At the center of the spotlight is Alabama State quarterback Andrew Body, who earned SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year honors after a breakout 2025 campaign.
On the defensive side, Jackson State’s Kam Sallis was tabbed as the league’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, reinforcing his role as a cornerstone of one of the conference’s top defenses.
The selections were voted on by SWAC head coaches and league sports information directors.
Alabama State, Jackson State dominate All-SWAC teams
Body’s numbers from last season tell the story of one of the most efficient and explosive quarterbacks in the country. He completed 70.6 percent of his passes, throwing for 1,770 yards and 20 touchdowns with just one interception in eight games. He added another 500 yards and four scores on the ground, guiding Alabama State to a 10-2 overall record and a 7-1 mark in conference play. His 203.6 passer efficiency rating underscored his command of the Hornets’ offense.
Sallis, meanwhile, anchored a Jackson State defense that consistently shut down opposing offenses. He recorded two interceptions while helping the Tigers hold opponents to just 18.8 points per game. Jackson State also limited teams to 111.7 rushing yards per contest and finished with eight interceptions as a unit, closing the year 9-3 overall and earning a spot in the SWAC Championship Game.
Beyond the individual honors, Alabama State led all programs with nine preseason all-conference selections, signaling high expectations in Montgomery. Jackson State, Bethune-Cookman, and Alcorn State followed with six selections each, while Prairie View A&M, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, and Alabama A&M each placed five players on the preseason list.
The First Team offense is headlined by Body at quarterback, alongside playmakers such as Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Jaylen Jennings and Prairie View A&M’s Chase Bingmon in the backfield. Jackson State wide receiver Nate Rembert and UAPB’s D’Avery Robinson add firepower on the outside, while Prairie View’s Travon Jones anchors the tight end position.
Defensively, the First Team features standouts across the board, including Prairie View A&M’s Malik Gucake on the line and Arkansas-Pine Bluff linebacker Danarius Hilliard. The secondary is led by Alabama State’s Ta’Shaun Sims and Sallis, giving the unit a strong blend of playmaking and experience.
The Second Team is equally loaded with impact talent, including Jackson State quarterback Jared Lockhart and Southern running back Trey Holly on offense, while defensive contributors such as Grambling State’s Marcellius Johnson and Jackson State’s Carmelo Jones highlight a deep pool of defensive talent across the conference.
Special teams units across both teams reflect the conference’s depth as well, with Alabama A&M’s David Faulk earning First Team honors at kicker and Alcorn State’s Demetrion Duvall recognized as the top punter.
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
