Southeastern Louisiana will kick off 2026 just about where its left off 2025 — at least in terms of rankings.
The Lions are the nation’s preseason No. 20 team in the FCS Coaches Poll released Monday by the American Football Coaches Association.
Coach Frank Scelfo’s program, which reached the playoffs last season for the first time since 2022, ranked No. 19 on Stats Perform’s preseason list released earlier this month after finishing last season No. 19 for both entities.
Southeastern Louisiana is the lone representative in the state and one of three from the Southland Conference in the AFCA’s preseason top 25.
Last year’s league champion, Stephen F. Austin, ranked No. 13 on the list, and Lamar followed SLU at No. 21.
Three other Southland schools — including Incarnate Word, Texas Rio Grande Valley and in-state McNeese State — received votes.
Southeastern Louisiana is scheduled to face Lamar and Stephen F. Austin back-to-back weeks Oct. 17 and Oct. 24.
After a bye the first weekend of October, the Lions’ schedule includes all five teams to receive AFCA preseason votes — UTRGV, Lamar, SFA, Incarnate Word and McNeese State — in a span of six weeks.
SLU returns a slew of experienced talent, including quarterback Kyle Lowe; running backs Deantre Jackson (Edna Karr) and Calvin Smith Jr. (Hahnville); receivers Dkhai Joseph (East St. John), Tristan Goodly (Westlake) and Kentrell Prejean (Teurlings Catholic); tight end Adyn Wilkinson (Central); defensive linemen Peyton Anderson (St. Amant) and Gabe Whittington (Pearl River); linebacker Jirrea Johnson (Warren Easton); and defensive backs Carter Hanberry (Dutchtown) and Richard McKneely (Liberty Magnet).
AFCA COACHES POLL — PRESEASON (AUG. 17)
1. Montana State
2. Montana
3. South Dakota State
4. Illinois State
5. Tarleton State
6. UC Davis
7. Villanova
8. Rhode Island
9. Youngstown State
10. North Dakota
11. Lehigh
12. South Dakota
13. Stephen F. Austin
14. Abilene Christian
15. Tennessee Tech
16. Southern Illinois
17. Mercer
18. Austin Peay
19. Southeastern Louisiana
20. Lamar
22. Tennessee-Martin
23. Monmouth
24. Northern Arizona
25. South Carolina State
