The 2026 United Athletic Conference football season is shaping up to be another competitive race as teams battle for the conference championship and an automatic berth to the FCS Playoffs.
After a tightly contested 2025 season, several programs enter the fall looking to build on last year's success, while others aim to climb the conference standings.
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With preseason honors recognizing many of the league's top returning players and new member school West Florida joining the conference, the stage is set for another exciting season of UAC football.
Before kickoff, here are five things to know about the United Athletic Conference football season in 2026.
West Florida Begins Its FCS Era
West Florida officially joins the United Athletic Conference for the 2026 season after making the jump from NCAA Division II to the FCS. The Argonauts become the conference's eighth football member and bring an impressive résumé that includes the 2019 Division II national championship. Although West Florida will be ineligible for the FCS Playoffs during its NCAA Division I transition, it can still compete for the UAC championship and could play a major role in shaping the conference title race.
2025 UAC Football Standings
- Abilene Christian — Overall: 9-5, Conference: 7-1
- Tarleton State — Overall: 12-3, Conference: 7-1
- Southern Utah — Overall: 7-5, Conference: 6-2
- West Georgia — Overall: 8-3, Conference: 5-3
- Austin Peay — Overall: 7-5, Conference: 4-4
- Eastern Kentucky — Overall: 5-7, Conference: 3-5
- Central Arkansas — Overall: 3-9, Conference: 2-6
- Utah Tech — Overall: 2-10, Conference: 1-7
- North Alabama — Overall: 2-10, Conference: 1-7
2026 United Athletic Conference Preseason Football Honors
- Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Chris Parson, Austin Peay
- Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Kaden Smith, EKU
All-UAC Preseason Offensive Team
- QB: Chris Parson, Austin Peay
- RB: Tylan Hines, Tarleton State
- RB: Brayden Latham, EKU
- WR: Jaden Robinson, Austin Peay
- WR: Dallas Dudley, Abilene Christian
- TE: Jackson Head, Austin Peay
- OL: Joshua Sales Jr, Austin Peay
- OL: Aidan Moe, Tarleton State
- OL: Luke Roaten, Abilene Christian
- OL: Landon Roaten, Abilene Christian
- C: Colter Lynch, Abilene Christian
All-UAC Preseason Defensive Team
- DL: Kortlin Rausaw, Abilene Christian
- DL: Trevion Traylor, Central Arkansas
- DL: Fred Vili, North Alabama
- DL: Chris Herpin, Abilene Christian
- LB: Kaden Smith, EKU
- LB: Ashtyn Williams, Central Arkansas
- LB: Tango McCauley Jr., North Alabama
- DB: Omar Emmons, Tarleton State
- DB: Dillon Williams, Abilene Christian
- DB: Marcus Washington, Central Arkansas
- DB: Derek Taylor, EKU
All-UAC Preseason Specialists Team
- K: Brandon Perez, Abilene Christian
- P: Charlie Mullen, Tarleton State
- LS: Quaid Luginbill, EKU
- RS: DeAndre Buchannon, Tarleton State
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