Edward Waters is heading into the 2026 football season with major preseason recognition after Jontarius Thomas and Trevon French were named SIAC preseason players of the year. The honors give the program standout visibility before the season even begins.
Thomas earned the conference’s preseason offensive player of the year distinction, while French picked up the preseason defensive player of the year award. Having Edward Waters represented on both sides of the ball highlights the expectations surrounding the team entering the new campaign.
Preseason awards do not decide what will happen once the games start, but they do reflect how a program is viewed around the conference. For Edward Waters, seeing two players collect top individual honors suggests the team is expected to be competitive and impactful in the SIAC this season.
The recognition also puts added attention on Thomas and French as key figures for Edward Waters in 2026. With one of the league’s top preseason offensive honorees and defensive honorees on the roster, the program enters the season with momentum and a strong spotlight across the conference.
