SWAC Awards: QB Andrew Body, DB Kam Sallis Headline 2026 Preseason Honors

HOUSTON -- Will 2026 be the year Coach Eddie Robinson Jr., Andrew Body and Alabama State seize the SWAC football championship title and represent the conference in the 2026 Cricket Celebration Bowl? Or will reigning champion Prairie View A&M, led by Coach Tremaine Jackson, quiet its doubters and return to Atlanta in December for another shot at the HBCU Division I Football Championship?

Plenty of storylines are brewing ahead of next week’s 2026 SWAC Media Day on July 15 in Birmingham. Talent abounds across the SWAC, as the Hornets, JSU, and PVAMU football programs received most nods from coaches and sports information directors in the annual preseason honors.

On Wednesday, the Southwestern Athletic Conference named Alabama State quarterback Andrew Body and Jackson State defensive back Kam Sallis its 2026 preseason offensive and defensive players of the year, respectively, headlining the preseason All-SWAC football voting.

Body, who graduated in May, earned the offensive honor after First Team All-SWAC recognition at quarterback, following an eight-game 2025 season in which he completed 113 of 160 passes for a 70.6 percent completion rate, 1,770 yards, 20 touchdowns and one interception.

He added 500 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns, averaging 221.3 passing yards per game with a 203.6 passer efficiency rating. Alabama State finished 10-2 overall and 7-1 in conference play in 2025.

JSU defensive back Sallis was voted defensive player of the year after also earning First Team All-SWAC honors. Last season, he intercepted two passes for a Jackson State defense that held opponents to 18.8 points and 111.7 rushing yards per game while forcing eight team interceptions.

The Tigers went 9-3 overall, finished 7-1 in conference play, and reached the SWAC Football Championship Game before Prairie View A&M stunned JSU 23-21, winning the conference title.

Alabama State led all SWAC member institutions with nine preseason all-conference selections. Jackson State, Bethune-Cookman and Alcorn State each placed six players on the preseason teams. Prairie View A&M, Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Alabama A&M each had five selections.

The 2026 SWAC football season begins Thursday, August 27, with teams competing for division titles and a berth in the SWAC Football Championship Game.

2026 SWAC 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

SWAC preseason honors by the numbers | SWAC

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

HBCU Legends will have several pre-media day series on polls, votings, stadiums, and broadcasting on Friday.

HBCU LEGENDS PODCAST

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