New Braunfels, TX –  In a close 2026 Preseason Poll, Hardin-Simmons has been picked to finish first in the American Southwest Conference football standings. The poll was conducted among head coaches and sports information directors from each ASC institution.

Hardin-Simmons finished the 2025 season with a 9-2 overall record and advanced to the NCAA Division III Playoffs. The Cowboys return Kaiden Roden and Pedro Altamirano, who have been selected as this year's Preseason Defensive and Special Teams Player of the Year.

Mary Hardin-Baylor received four first-place votes and returns last year's Offensive Player of the Year and Co-Special Teams Player of the Year, BJ Stewart. Stewart was also selected as the 2026 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.

McMurry, led by head coach Jordan Neal, makes its return to the ASC picked to finish third in the 2026 standings. Linebacker Bryce Neves earned Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2025, while Jax Rodriguez was named Special Teams Player of the Year.

East Texas Baptist and Howard Payne were separated by one point in the voting. Both programs will open the 2026 season on the road, with the Tigers traveling to Batesville, Arkansas, to take on Lyon College on September 5, while Howard Payne travels to Forest Grove, Oregon, to face Pacific University on September 4.

Schreiner's football program is led by head coach Keith Allen and will begin its season Saturday, September 5, at home against Austin College. Quarterback Isaac Ponce, defensive lineman Caleb Sosa, and kicker Bryce Warren were all named to the 2026 Players to Watch List.

Hardin-Simmons and Mary Hardin-Baylor were named to the D3football.com Preseason Top 25. All ASC home football games will be streamed live on FloCollege. 
 
2026 Preseason Poll 
1. Hardin-Simmons, 66 (7)
2. Mary Hardin-Baylor, 64 (4)
3. McMurry, 39 (1)
4. East Texas Baptist, 35
5. Howard Payne, 34
6. Schreiner, 14
 
2026 ASC Preseason Players of the Year
Offensive: BJ Stewart, Mary Hardin-Baylor
Defensive: Kaiden Roden, Hardin-Simmons
Special Teams: Pedro Altamirano, Hardin-Simmons
 
2026 Players to Watch
Name                           Position     Class     School
Pedro Altamirano*^S      K                Sr.         Hardin-Simmons
Eli Cobos*^S                  K/P             So.        Howard Payne
Wes Douglas               WR             Gr.         Hardin-Simmons
Cameron Hall*             DE              Sr.         Howard Payne
Bryce Neves*^D             LB              Jr.          McMurry
Blessing "Bill" Ngene*  RB             Sr.          Howard Payne
Isaac Ponce                 QB             Jr.          Schreiner
Kaiden Roden*^D           LB             Sr.          Hardin-Simmons
Jax Rodriguez *^S          K/P            Jr.          McMurry
Gaige Sanders*            DE             Jr.          Mary Hardin-Baylor
Caleb Sosa                   DL             So.         Schreiner
BJ Stewart*^OS              WR            Sr.          Mary Hardin-Baylor
Bryce Warren                K               Fr.          Schreiner
Colton Wilson*              DE             Jr.          East Texas Baptist
Mitchell White*              K               So.         East Texas Baptist
Paul Woodard*             RB             Sr.          East Texas Baptist
 
2025 All-Conference Selection *
2025 Offensive Player of the Year ^O
2025 Defensive Player of the Year ^D
2025 Special Teams Player of the Year ^S