The Southland Conference’s Louisiana contingent is entering a pivotal 2026 campaign, each program looking to translate recent progress into deeper playoff runs. With schedules that blend conference rivals and non‑conference powerhouses, the four teams are positioning themselves for heightened competition.
Standout Performers
Southeastern Louisiana returns with a potent offense anchored by running back Deantre Jackson, who earned second‑team All‑Southland honors after amassing 586 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, and quarterback Kyle Lowe, who completed 65% of his passes for 864 yards and eight scores while adding 452 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Defensive end Evan Aubrey, a redshirt freshman, emerged as a starter, recording 4.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss.
Nicholls State’s offense will lean on quarterback Ean Rodrigue, who threw for 916 yards and six touchdowns last season, and running back Shane Lee, who topped the team with 658 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. The defense welcomes transfer Jake Dalmado, a preseason All‑American who contributed 142 tackles, 12 sacks and 20 tackles for loss over two seasons.
McNeese State, under coach Matt Viator, is emphasizing a balanced attack featuring second‑leading rusher TreVonte’ Citizen, who posted 503 yards and four touchdowns, and veteran Javon Davis, a four‑year contributor in the secondary who logged three interceptions. The team opened the season against Stephen F. Austin, a preseason pick for second place behind the Bulldogs.
Northwestern State, rebuilding under first‑year head coach Blaine McCorkle, showed early promise with linebacker Danny Sears tallying 52 tackles and running back Myion Hicks adding 297 rushing yards and four touchdowns. The team’s early-season win marked a turning point after a challenging 2023 campaign.
Conference Landscape
All four programs share a common goal: securing a playoff berth. Southeastern Louisiana’s coaching staff, led by Frank Scelfo in his ninth season, highlights the return of depth after graduating NFL prospect Kaleb Proctor, while Nicholls State’s Tommy Rybacki continues to leverage a decade of defensive expertise. McNeese State’s preseason ranking of sixth reflects optimism, and Northwestern State’s early victory under McCorkle signals a potential resurgence.
The upcoming schedule features a mix of Southland rivals, a Southland opponent (HCU), and non‑conference matchups against FBS schools South Alabama and UL‑Monroe, as well as the annual River Bell Classic against Nicholls State. These tests will gauge each team’s readiness for the postseason push.