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    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.

    Andrew Body Alabama State HBCU
    Photo: Alabama State Athletics

    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.

    kam sallis
    Photo: Jackson State Athletics

     

    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

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