HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University football team is ranked 20^th in the preseason American Football Coaches Association FCS Coaches Top 25, which was released Monday by the AFCA.
 
Southeastern finished ranked 19^th in both the AFCA Coaches and Stats Perform final polls last fall. Earlier this month, SLU was tabbed 19^th in the Stats Perform preseason FCS Top 25.
 
The Lions have finished ranked in the top 25 in five of the last seven seasons, advancing to the NCAA FCS playoffs in four of those years.
 
SLU is one of three Southland Conference schools in Monday's poll, along with reigning SLC champion SFA (No. 13) and fellow 2025 FCS playoff participant Lamar (No. 21). League foes UIW, UTRGV and McNeese are all receiving votes.
 
Quarterback Kyle Lowe returns to lead a Southeastern offense that features a talented running back stable featuring returnees Deantre Jackson, Kyree Paul and Calvin Smith Jr. Dkhai Joseph, Kentrell Prejean and Tristan Goodly are the most experience receivers returning for the Lions.
 
Adyn Wilkinson, Lonnie Shinn Jr., Beau Perez and Zane Hooper are all back to lead a talented tight end corps. Clearing the way for the SLU playmakers will be a stout offensive line anchored by returning veterans Riley Whitten, Logan Potter and Corin Boudreaux.
 
On defense, Peyton Anderson, Jirrea Johnson Jr., Evan Aubrey, Khalid Moore and Gabe Whittington are among the most experienced veterans in the front seven, while Richard McKneely, Carter Hanberry, Zack Vicknair and Mike Mitchell are all returnees in the secondary.
 
Jack Hunter returns as the Lions' starting punter, while Joseph is also back on special teams after establishing himself as one of FCS' most dynamic punt returners.
 
Southeastern, which returns to the practice field Tuesday at 9 a.m., will open the 2026 season at home, hosting HCU at 6 p.m. Aug. 27 in Strawberry Stadium.
 
2026 Southeastern Football Key Preseason Dates
Aug. 18 – Strawberry Jam | 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 19 – First day of classes
Aug. 22 – Lionpawlooza | 5 p.m. | Railroad Park
Aug. 25 – Debut episode of Inside Southeastern Football with Frank Scelfo | 7 p.m. | Brady's
 
AFCA FCS Coaches Poll
Team (First-place votes) | Points
1. Montana State (25) | 649
2. Montana | 605
3. South Dakota State | 591
4. Illinois State | 553
5. Tarleton State | 527
6. UC Davis | 498
7. Villanova | 448
8. Rhode Island | 434
9. Youngstown State | 428
10. North Dakota | 396
11. Lehigh | 359
12. South Dakota | 11
13. SFA | 313
14. ACU | 295
15. Tennessee Tech | 294
16. Southern Illinois | 231
17. Mercer | 18
18. Austin Peay | 186
19. Yale | 164
20. Southeastern | 160
21. Lamar | 133
22. UT Martin | 123
23. Monmouth | 105
24. Northern Arizona | 67
25. South Carolina State | 63

Others Receiving Votes: Richmond 31, Southeast Missouri State 27, Valparaiso 23, Alabama State 21, East Tennessee State 21, Western Carolina 20, Idaho State 14, Harvard 14, Central Connecticut State 12, Furman 12, Jackson State 11, Chattanooga 9, Eastern Kentucky 9, UIW 9, UTRGV 9, Dartmouth 8, Elon 7, William & Mary 7, Holy Cross 6, Wofford 5, Prairie View 4, Northern Colorado 3, St. Thomas 3, New Hampshire 2, Central Arkansas 1, McNeese 1, San Diego 1, Stony Brook 1.

2026 Southeastern opponents in bold italics
 
TICKETS
For ticket information, contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net. Southeastern will continue offering mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets. All tickets will be available via e-mail or text message in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Football, follow @LionUpFootball and @Coach_Scelfo on X, like /LionUpAthletics on Facebook and follow @lionupfootball on Instagram.
 
TOUCHDOWN CLUB/S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the football program are encouraged to join the Touchdown Club. Lion football alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Touchdown Club and S Club (football) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern football program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics observes a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.