Baton Rouge - The Southern Jaguars are in the middle of a program rebuild, but there were two player on its current roster that garnered enough attention to merit landing on the SWAC's preseason awards list, safety Herman Brister III and running back Trey Holly.

Southern finished the 2025 season with a 2-10 record and fired head coach Terrence Graves opening the door for new head coach Marshall Faulk to take over before the new year.

A rebuilt roster and new leadership has the Jaguar faithful hoping that the end of the year awards list will not only feature more Jaguars than two, but also more wins than just two.

The preseason selections were voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.

More information and the entire preseason list can be found below in a release from the SWAC.
 
Alabama State quarterback Andrew Body was selected as the 2026 SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year after earning First Team All-SWAC honors at quarterback. Jackson State defensive back Kam Sallis was named the 2026 SWAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year while also earning First Team All-SWAC recognition.
 
Alabama State paced all member institutions with a league-high nine preseason all-conference selections. Jackson State, Bethune-Cookman, and Alcorn State each followed with six selections to tie for second-most among SWAC member institutions. Prairie View A&M, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, and Alabama A&M each placed five student-athletes on the preseason teams.
 
The 2026 SWAC football season is scheduled to begin on Thursday, August 27, with teams once again competing for division championships and a berth in the 2026 SWAC Football Championship Game.

A complete listing of preseason team selections is listed below.
 
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: Carmello 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