Rock Hill, S.C.----The South Atlantic Conference announced the 2025 preseason football poll, voted on by the league's head coaches. Wingate University has been picked second in the preseason poll, which was announced Monday afternoon. The Bulldogs went 9-2 overall in 2024, with a 6-1 record in league play. The 'Dogs captured the third SAC title in program history, while appearing in the NCAA play-offs for the sixth time. The Bulldogs have appeared in five of the last seven NCAA D2 play-offs.
Lenoir-Rhyne is the preseason favorite, earning six of the 10 first-place votes. Wingate is second, collecting a pair of first-place votes, while Carson-Newman is third, also notching two first-place votes. The 'Dogs defeated the Eagles in the SAC title game in 2024 at Irwin Belk Stadium. Emory & Henry is fourth, followed by Mars Hill, Catawba and Newberry. Anderson is eight, while UVA Wise and Tusculum round out the poll.
The conference also announced the preseason Players to watch, with six Bulldogs listed. On offense, wide receiver Carlos Estronza, running back Ethan Wallace and offensive lineman Porfirio Acosta made the list, while the defensive Players to Watch include defensive end Kai Russell, linebacker Jaquan Edwards and defensive back Brandon Perry.
Wingate opens up the 2025 season at home, hosting UNC Pembroke August 30 at 6 p.m. The 'Dogs have the next week off, while hosting Bluefield State Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. Wingate opens league play at UVA Wise Sept. 20 at 2 p.m., before returning home to host Carson-Newman Sept. 27 in a rematch of the 2024 SAC title game. Wingate wraps up the regular season at home, hosting Mars Hill Nov. 15 at 3 p.m. on Homecoming weekend.
2025 SAC Preseason Football Coaches' Poll
| Rank |
School (First Place Votes) |
Score |
| 1. |
Lenoir-Rhyne (6) |
85 |
| 2. |
Wingate (2) |
80 |
| 3. |
Carson-Newman (2) |
79 |
| 4. |
Emory & Henry |
63 |
| 5. |
Mars Hill |
56 |
| 6. |
Catawba |
48 |
| 7. |
Newberry |
45 |
| 8. |
Anderson |
34 |
| 9. |
UVA Wise |
26 |
| 10. |
Tusculum |
24 |
Players to Watch
Wingate
Carlos Estronza (WR), Ethan Wallace (RB), Porfirio Acosta (OL), Kai Russell (DE), Jaquan Edwards (LB), Brandon Perry (DB)
Anderson
Tyler Wesley (QB), Jalon Warthen-Carr (WR), Kam Burris (OL), Jerrod Woods (LB), Carter Wit (DB), Colton Smith (DL)
Carson-Newman
Mekhi Brown (LB), Martavis Mason (DL), Champ Baker (DB), Cruz Temple (LB), Grayson Campbell (P), Jeremiah Carroll (WR), Jayden Sullins (RB)
Catawba
Bo Pryor (WR), Preston Brown (QB), Evan Simons (DB), Dallas Foard (OL), Avery Swinton (OL), Kevin Lalin (RB)
Emory & Henry
Shawn Collins (DB), Cam Peoples (WR), Ean Rhea (DL), Jordan Jackson (RB), Jarrell Harrison (DB), Deshaun Sharp (OL)
Lenoir-Rhyne
James Ussery (DB), Maddox Aprile (DL), Treyvon Cooper (LB), Ryan Whetzel (OL), Songa Yates (WR), Dom Marshall (WR)
Mars Hill
JR Martin (QB), Jon Gullette (RB), Caleb Lominac (TE), Sakarri Morrison (DE), Isaac Weaver (LB), Cherron Holt (DB)
Newberry
Dwayne Wright (RB), Keith Desaussure (WR), DeAndre Coleman (WR), Devron Williams (LB), Jalen Stradford (OLB), Jaydon Eason (NG)
Tusculum
Reginald Hunter (TE), Solomon Maosa (DL), DJ Dailey (DB), Tre Mobley (DB), Gabe McLamb (OL), Ashton Hagans (WR)
UVA Wise
Ian Scammell (RB), Seth Fischbach (WR), Jake Corkren (QB), Kenneth Long (DL), Brub Hines (LB), Dacorian Jones-Montgomery (LB)
