BRIDGEWATER, N.J. – The Wagner football team has been selected to finish fourth in the 2026 NEC Football Preseason Poll, the conference announced Monday afternoon. Additionally, five Seahawks earned Preseason All-NEC honors: defensive linemen Logan Barnes and Ethan Appolon, defensive back Shamar Williams, running back Sekou Kamau, and offensive lineman Malik Wilson.

The fourth-place selection marks Wagner's highest preseason ranking since 2019.

Defending two-time NEC champion Central Connecticut State topped the poll with six first-place votes. Duquesne, the NEC runner-up in each of the last two seasons, was selected second with two first-place votes, while LIU was picked third. Mercyhurst, Robert Morris, Stonehill, and New Haven rounded out the poll.

The NEC also unveiled its 27-member Preseason All-Conference Team, consisting of 12 offensive players, 12 defensive players, and three special teams standouts. Central Connecticut State led the conference with 10 selections, while Wagner and LIU tied for the second-most honorees with five apiece.

Barnes was Wagner's lone returning Preseason All-NEC selection from a season ago. The senior defensive lineman appeared in 11 games in 2025 and recorded 40 tackles, including 18 solo stops and 4.5 tackles for loss. He posted a season-high seven tackles against Duquesne, including four solo stops and 1.5 tackles for loss.

Appolon earned his first preseason honor after appearing in 11 games last season. The junior totaled 13 tackles, including eight solo stops, while registering 5.0 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks. Appolon also forced four fumbles. He recorded a season-high two tackles against Marist, Norfolk State, Central Connecticut State, Duquesne, and Stonehill. His five sacks came against Marist, Norfolk State, Duquesne, Robert Morris, and Stonehill.

Williams rounded out Wagner's defensive selections after appearing in seven games in 2025. The senior recorded 29 tackles, including 18 solo stops, while adding two interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and three pass breakups. Williams posted a season-high 10 tackles against Robert Morris.

Kamau earned a spot on the offensive unit after appearing in all 12 games last season. The senior running back rushed for 341 yards on 80 carries and posted a season-high 58 rushing yards on 14 attempts at Georgetown. He also added seven receptions for 16 yards.

Wilson garnered preseason recognition after appearing in seven games along the offensive line in 2025. He helped Wagner average 165.5 rushing yards per game, the third-best mark in the NEC, while paving the way for running back Andre Hines, who ranked fifth in the conference with 67.4 rushing yards per game.

Last season, Wagner finished 5-7 overall and 4-3 in NEC play, marking the program's best conference finish since 2016.

The Seahawks will open the 2026 campaign on Saturday, Aug. 29, when they host Robert Morris at noon in an NEC matchup. It will mark the first time Wagner has opened a season against a conference opponent since facing Saint Francis  in 2011.

Season tickets are available now. Fans can purchase tickets by contacting the Wagner Athletics Box Office at (718) 420-4008 or by emailing athletics.tickets@wagner.edu. Information regarding single-game ticket sales will be announced at a later date.

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