News/Commentary

Southland Conference 2024 Football Preseason Poll, All-Conference Team

August 6, 2024 by southland.org

FRISCO, Texas – Defending Southland Champion Nicholls is the preseason favorite for the football season, the league announced Monday during Southland Football Opening Drive. The Colonels received nine first-place votes and 119 total points to take the spot.

The Colonels took home the Southland Conference title with an undefeated season and advanced to the FCS Playoffs.

UIW followed closely in second – with eight first-place votes – and 113 points.

Southeastern was picked third with 94 points followed by Lamar with 88 points and the final first place vote. SFA, McNeese, and HCU checked in at fifth, sixth, and seventh, while Texas A&M-Commerce and Northwestern State filled in the final two spots.

On the preseason all-conference side, Nicholls checked in with 15 selections to lead the way, while Lamar and UIW added 10 selections, respectively.

The Southland Conference preseason poll is voted on by each head coach and football sports information director. Each voter ranks their predicted order of regular season finish, not including their own team.

2024 Preseason Poll

Pos. Team (First-place votes) Total
1. Nicholls 119 (9)
2. UIW  113 (8)
3. Southeastern 94
4. Lamar 88 (1)
5. SFA 72
6. McNeese 64
7. HCU 41
8. Texas A&M-Commerce 37
9. Northwestern State 25

All-Conference Team

First Team All-Conference Offense

Pos. Name School Class Hometown
QB Zach Calzada UIW Gr<>. Buford, Ga.
RB Jaylon Spears Nicholls R-Jr. New Orleans, La.
RB Collin Guggenheim Nicholls Sr. Kenner, La.
TE/HB Lee Negrotto Nicholls Sr. Pass Christian, Miss.
WR Darius Lewis Southeastern Louisiana R-Sr. New Orleans, La.
WR Quincy Brown Nicholls Jr. St. Rose, La.
WR Andre Dennis Lamar Jr. Beaumont, Texax
OL Evan Roussel Nicholls Sr. Lutcher, La.
OL Cole Leclair McNeese Sr. Middleburg, Fla.
OL Jevale Roberson Lamar Sr. Cleveland, Texas
OL Elias Ripley Lamar Sr. Cedar Rapids, Iowa
OL Jhy Orgeron Southeastern Sr. Galliano, La.
PK Dillon Fedor HCU Sr. Henderson, Nev.
P Kylan Dupre Nicholls Jr. Geismar, La.

First Team All-Conference Defense

Pos. Name School Class Hometown
DL Rasheed Lovelace Nicholls R-So. Pensacola, Fla.
DL Caleb Williams Lamar Sr. Houston, Texas
DL Kershawn Fisher Nicholls Sr. New Orleans, La.
DL Joe Mason Nicholls Sr. Shreveport, La.
LB Micah Davey McNeese R-Jr. Baton Rouge, La.
LB Tylan Foster UIW Sr. Houston, Texas
LB Hayden Shaheen Nicholls R-So. Baton Rouge, La.
DB Tyler Morton Nicholls Sr. St. Rose, La.
DB Max Epps Texas A&M-Commerce R-Sr. Spring, Texas
DB Kendarius Smith Nicholls Sr. Meridian, Miss.
DB Ronald Wilson UIW Sr. Fort Worth, Texas
DB Ramond Stevens Lamar Sr. New Orleans, La.
KR Dekalon Taylor UIW Jr. Longview, Texas
PR Darius Lewis Southeastern R-Sr. New Orleans, La.

Second Team All-Conference Offense

Pos. Name School Class Hometown
QB Pat McQuaide Nicholls Jr. Solon, Ohio
RB Khalan Griffin Lamar Sr. Tyler, Texas
RB Harlan Dixon Southeastern Sr. Slidell, La.
TE/HB Devyn Gibbs Lamar Jr. Mabank, Texas
WR Mason Pierce UIW Gr. Houston, Texas
WR Sevonne Rhea Lamar Sr. Houston, Texas
WR Kylon Harris SFA Jr. Reserve, La.
OL Reggie Brooks Lamar Jr. Wylie, Texas
OL Dion Daniels HCU Sr. Tyler, TExas
OL Reed Lambert Nicholls Sr. New Roads, La.
OL Rasheed Jackson UIW So. Columbus, Ohio
OL Brockhim Wicks Southeastern R-Sr. Plaquemine, La.
PK Chris Esqueda Lamar Sr. Waco, Texas
P Mitchell McGarry Texas A&M-Commerce R-Sr. Tannum SandsQueensland, Australia

Second Team All-Conference Defense

Pos. Name School Class Hometown
DL Marcus Brown UIW Sr. Houston, Texas
DL Chase Carter UIW R-Sr. Brooklyn Park, Md.
DL Zae Smith HCU Jr. La Maruqe, Texas
DL Jaymond Jackson Lamar Sr. Lindale, Texas
LB Eli Ennis Nicholls Jr. Ohatchee, Ala.
LB Mister Williams UIW Jr. Canoga Park, Calif.
LB Donte’ Daniels Southeastern Sr. Port Sulphur, La.
DB Mason Chambers UIW Sr. San Antonio, Texas
DB Jaden Rios Texas A&M-Commerce R-Jr. Frisco, Texas
DB Kristian Pugh Lamar Jr. Beaumont, Texas
DB Jeremiah Walker SFA Sr. Houston, Texas
DB Levi Wyatt McNeese Jr. Byram, Miss.
KR Darius Lewis Southeastern R-Sr. New Orleans, La.
PR Dekalon Taylor UIW Jr. Longview, Texas