JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Edward Waters University football team has been projected to win the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, a major preseason accolade for the Tigers.
The Tigers finished 5-5 last season, fifth in the SIAC. Benedict, Tuskegee, Albany State and Kentucky State rounded out the top five of the conference’s 13 teams in the preseason balloting.
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Head coach Brian Jenkins Jr. is entering his second season as the leader of the Tigers. He was named the interim coach in July 2024 after Toriano Morgan resigned. Jenkins had the interim label removed before the start of the 2025 season, then proceeded to lead EWU to a 3-0 start, its best since 1964.
There’s reason for optimism.
Running back Johntarrious Thomas, linebacker Trevon French and defensive back Aykenon Rodgers garnered preseason first-team SIAC honors. Both Thomas and French were preseason offensive and defensive player of the year selections, respectively.
Thomas rushed for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns in 10 games last season, averaging a whopping 7 yards per carry. French ranked sixth in the SIAC in average tackles per game (7) and finished with 74 in 10 games.