Aggies Shine on National Stage
The 2026 FCS Football Central preseason All‑America teams have been announced, and UC Davis is well‑represented with six of its standout athletes earning first‑ or second‑team honors. The selections reflect a blend of offensive firepower and defensive tenacity that defined the Aggies' 2025 campaign.
Samuel Gbatu Jr. headlines the offense, earning a first‑team slot after topping the Big Sky with 1,169 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns last season. His deep‑route precision and ability to create separation have made him a focal point of the Aggies' aerial attack.
On the defensive side, Porter Connors secured a first‑team defense spot after posting 86 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions and a defensive touchdown. His playmaking ability in the secondary adds a dynamic element to the Aggies' pass rush.
Rex Connors, the program's all‑time tackles leader with 313 career stops, holds the single‑season record for solo tackles at 74. His relentless pursuit and consistency have anchored the defense for multiple years.
Jordan Fisher earned second‑team offense honors after rushing for 1,121 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025. His blend of speed and vision has turned him into a workhorse in the backfield.
Winston Williams, recognized on the second team offense, also collected First Team All‑Big Sky honors in 2024, underscoring his sustained impact and versatility.
Freshman cornerback Drew Cofield received second‑team defense recognition and was named FCS Football Central Freshman All‑America after starting all 13 games and excelling at the cornerback position.
A Broader Landscape
The Aggies join 39 other programs, contributing to a pool of 83 student‑athletes spread across 11 conferences. This distribution highlights the competitive depth of the FCS and the increasing visibility of the Big Sky's talent pipeline.
Coaching staff and teammates alike view these preseason accolades as a catalyst for the upcoming season. They signal that the Aggies are poised to build on recent successes and contend strongly within their conference and beyond.
The recognition also reflects the program's emphasis on player development and academic excellence, reinforcing UC Davis's reputation as a well‑rounded institution both on and off the field.