BIRMINGHAM, Ala. | The Alabama A&M University football program placed three student-athletes on the 2026 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Preseason First Team and had two named to the second team, the conference announced on Wednesday.
 
Defensive lineman Arenza Davis, linebacker Wyatt Wright and kicker David Faulk garnered first-team accolades, while wide receiver Jordan Chambers-Smith and defensive back Keon Handley Jr. were named to the second team.
 
Davis saw action in 11 games last season for the Bulldogs, where he posted 31 total tackles, with 10 of them coming as solo stops. He had five for a loss of 31 yards, including a pair of sacks. In addition, he finished with four quarterback hurries.
 
Wright registered 72 total tackles, including 34 solo stops. He posted 6.0 tackles for a loss of 28 yards, along with three sacks, one forced fumble, one quarterback hurry and one interception.
 
Faulk was named Phil Steele Third Team All-American and earned Phil Steele Third Team All-SWAC Honors in 2025. The freshman kicker took over the kicking duties on Sept. 20 and went 10-for-12 in field goal attempts, including going 4-for-4 from between 40-to-49 yards. He booted a career-best 47-yarder at Bethune-Cookman. 
 
Chambers-Smith caught 24 passes in 12 games last season for 282 yards, along with a pair of touchdowns. He averaged 23.5 yards per game and 11.8 yards per catch. Chambers-Smith was big in special teams and returned 13 punts for 114 yards, averaging 8.7 yards per return. He returned a season-best return of 29 yards in a victory over Lane College. 
 
Handley was fifth on the team in tackles, with 44, including 26 solo stops from the secondary. He had four tackles for loss, including one sack. In addition, he led the team in fumble recoveries, with three, and had a pair of quarterback hurries.
 
Alabama A&M kicks off the 2026 season with the annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge on Saturday, Aug. 29 against Howard in Atlanta, Ga. Kickoff against the Bison is set for 6:30 p.m. (CT) from Center Parc Stadium and nationally televised on ABC. The Bulldogs will have their home opener one week later with the 16^th Annual Louis Crews Classic as AAMU plays host to Miles College.
 
Season tickets are on sale now. By purchasing season tickets, you secure the greatest value in ticket pricing.
 
Fans are encouraged to secure your seats today at: AAMU Athletics or by calling the ticket office at 256.372.7255 or 256.372.7254. Tickets can be purchased online at https://aamu.beacnpass.com or at the AAMU Ticket Office on campus. 
 
The AAMU Ticket Office is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and is located at Louis Crews Stadium.  
 
2026 SWAC Football Preseason Awards 
 Offensive Player of the Year
Andrew Body, Alabama State

Defensive Player of the Year
Kam Sallis, Jackson State 
 
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 Lineman: Elijah Baker, Alabama State
Offensive Lineman: Calvin McMillian, Prairie View A&M
Offensive Lineman: Quaveon Davis, Jackson State
Offensive Lineman: Christian Loving, Bethune-Cookman 
Offensive Lineman: 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
 
All-SWAC First Team Defense
Defensive Lineman: Malik Gucake, Prairie View A&M
Defensive Lineman: Eric Thomas Jr., Alcorn State  
Defensive Lineman: Arenza Davis, Alabama A&M
Defensive Lineman: 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 


All-SWAC First Team Specialist
Place Kicker: David Faulk, Alabama A&M
Punter: Demetrion Duvall, Alcorn State 
Return Specialist: Nehemiah Hixon, Alabama State    
Long Snapper: Cole Hash, Bethune-Cookman  
 
All-SWAC Second Team Offense
Quarterback: Jared Lockhart, Jackson State  
Running Back: Trey Holly, Southern 
Running Back: Jamarie Hostzclaw, Alabama State 
Offensive Lineman: Dezmond Penn, Alabama State 
Offensive Lineman: Abe Diallo, Alcorn State 
Offensive Lineman: Jayden Daniels, Texas Southern
Offensive Lineman: Alexander Vigil, Grambling State 
Offensive Lineman: Nick Carter, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 
Wide Receiver: Jordan Chambers-Smith, Alabama A&M
Wide Receiver: Roriyon Richardson, Texas Southern 
Tight End: Kordell Rodgers, Texas Southern 

All-SWAC Second Team Defense
Defensive Lineman: Marquis Cagle, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 
Defensive Lineman: Malik Stinnett, Bethune-Cookman 
Defensive Lineman: Kenneth Andrews, Alcorn State 
Defensive Lineman: Isaiah Washburn, Bethune-Cookman 
Linebacker: Douglas Franklin, Mississippi Valley State  
Linebacker: Marcellius Johnson, Grambling State 
Linebacker: Carmelo Jones, Jackson 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 
 
All-SWAC Second Team Specialist
Place Kicker: Andrew Abu-Akel, Alabama State 
Return Specialist: Jay'Shaun Johnson, Grambling State 
Long Snapper: Garrett Wilemon, Alabama State  
 
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