GREENVILLE, S.C. (July 21, 2026) – The Southern Conference (SoCon) unveiled its annual preseason football poll and its preseason All-Conference teams on Tuesday as a part of SoCon Football Media Day. ETSU was picked to finish third with 61 points and one first-place vote, which is the team's highest projected finish since 2022. Additionally, nine different Buccaneers collected All-SoCon honors with six of those being on the First Team. The ETSU players recognized were Jason Albritton (First Team), Will McCraw (First Team), Charlie Browder (First Team), Brenden LeBlanc (First Team), Mike Jenkins (First Team), Ewan Johnson (First Team), Dre Delinois (Second Team), Jivon Oggs (Second Team), Brock Winstead (Second Team).
 
Jason Albritton played in all 12 games for ETSU during his debut season with the Bucs in 2025. He finished second on team with 518 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. He carried the ball a total of 104 times and averaged five yards per carry on the season. Scored a touchdown in seven of the 12 games in 2025. Reached the end zone in three straight games against Tennessee, West Georgia, and Elon. Also scored against VMI and The Citadel. Ran for a pair of scores on the road at Chattanooga on October 18. Also broke off his longest run of the season against the Mocs (60 yards). His top performance came on November 15 where he ran for a career-high 125 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown in ETSU's win over Western Carolina. 
 
Will McCraw will be back in action in 2026 after missing the 2025 season. In 2025, McCraw played in all 12 games during his first season in a Buccaneer uniform in 2024. Starting 11 of 12 games at right guard, McCraw helped power one of the top rushing teams in the FCS. McCraw helped ETSU rush for 100 yards in 11 of 12 games this season, including a season-high 308 yards in a win at The Citadel in late September to go along with five outings that topped 200 yards. McCraw also led ETSU's offensive line to lead the SoCon in rushing yards (2,330) and rushing yards per game (194.2), marking the first time the Bucs have led the league in rushing in a season. McCraw was also a member of an offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks in the conference (17).
 
In his first season with ETSU, Charlie Browder played in all 12 games and started five games. His five starts came against Tennessee, Elon, Chattanooga, Wofford, and Samford. Finished the season with 17 receptions for 254 yards and a pair of touchdowns. His top day receiving in terms of receptions and receiving yards both came at Western Carolina on November 15 where he finished with four catches for 52 yards. His longest reception of the season came against The Citadel in the season finale (28 yards). Caught touchdowns against Mercer and then on the road at Samford. 
 
During his third season with the Buccaneers, Brenden LeBlanc played in all 12 games and started 10 of those contests. Prior to the season beginning, LeBlanc earned All-SoCon honors from both the league's coaches and from Phil Steele. LeBlanc finished the season with 31 tackles and 1.5 sacks. His top tackling effort came on September 27 against Mercer with eight stops. All 1.5 of his sacks came in ETSU's win over Elon on September 20. 
 
Mike Jenkins played in and started all 12 games for the Buccaneers in 2025. He finished third on the team with 59 tackles and was tied for the team-lead with two interceptions. The Summerville, South Carolina native also broke up three passes and logged a pair of quarterback hurries. Surpassed 100 career tackles as a Buc in the season finale against The Citadel. Jenkins also totaled a career-high nine tackles in the win over the Bulldogs. Notched an interception against Elon on September 20 and picked off another one at Furman on October 4. He also broke up two passes and finished with six tackles against the Paladins. For his play all season long, Jenkins landed a spot on the All-SoCon Second Team. 
 
Ewan Johnson has spent the last three seasons as ETSU's primary kicker. He played in all 12 games for the Buccaneers. Prior to the season, Johnson earned Preseason All-SoCon recognition by the league's coaches and by Phil Steele. He posted his best season of his career in terms of field goal percentage (78.57%) and yardage on kickoffs (62.2 average). As a field goal kicker, Johnson made 11 of his 14 attempts, including one from 49 yards out against Elon, which set a new career-long. For extra points, Johnson made 49 of 50 tries on the season.
 
Dre Delinois appeared in 11 of ETSU's 12 games during the 2025 season. He ranked fourth on the team with 45 tackles. Had at least five stops in six of the 11 games. His top tackling performance was eight and he accomplished that twice first at Tennessee on September 6 and then again at Samford on November 8. Also had seven-tackle performances at West Georgia on September 13 and in the season finale against The Citadel on November 22. Also saw over 100 snaps on ETSU's special teams units on the season.
 
Jivon Oggs played in all 12 games during his first season with the Bucs in 2025. Oggs was one of seven Bucs to reach 40 or more tackles in 2025. Oggs finished with 43 tackles with eight of those 43 stops came at Western Carolina on November 15. Recorded half a sack against Wofford. Tallied interceptions against Murray State and West Georgia. Totaled four pass breakups against Chattanooga (two), VMI, and Murray State. Posted seven tackles, forced and recovered a fumble against Mercer on September 27. 
 
Prior to his second season with the Bucs, Brock Winstead earned Preseason All-SoCon Second Team honors from Phil Steele. In 2025, Winstead served as the Bucs' long snapper for all 12 games and did not miss one long snapping opportunity. He also notched a pair of tackles and recovered a fumble at West Georgia on September 13.
 
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