​Expectations for several Jackson State football players in 2026 have been established ahead of the season, following the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) preseason awards announced on July 8. In a strong show of recognition for the Tigers, defensive back Kam Sallis was selected as the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year, highlighting his status as the program’s most prominent returning defensive performer. The SWAC awards, decided by votes from the conference’s head coaches and sports information directors, place Sallis at the forefront of a defense that will be expecting him to anchor their back line and contribute as a leader on and off the field. Sallis, who started last season at safety, compiled 53 tackles, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles, earning a place on the All-SWAC second team. This year, he is the sole defensive player to be named to the preseason All-SWAC first team, joined by two offensive standouts: Quaveon Davis, an offensive lineman, and Nate Rembert, a wide receiver.
Davis played every game at right tackle last season and earned second-team All-SWAC honors, a testament to his consistency and durability on the line. Rembert, who carried the offense with a 750-yard receiving total and seven touchdowns, also earned second-team recognition, signaling JSU’s strength in the passing game and a potential matchup problem for opponents’ secondaries.
In addition to Sallis on the first team, the preseason All-SWAC second team includes quarterback Jared Lockhart, linebacker Carmello Jones, and defensive back KJ Chisholm. Lockhart enters his first complete season as Jackson State’s starting quarterback, though he appeared in seven games last year and started five due to JaCobian Morgan’s injury. He finished with 1,187 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions, plus 189 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, and he earned the SWAC Co-Freshman of the Year honor for his early impact.
Jones projects to take on a bigger role as a starter in 2026 after serving primarily as a reserve in 2025. His 2024–25 campaign included 36 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss over 11 games, underscoring his potential to contribute heavily on defense this season. Chisholm, who started 11 games at cornerback as a sophomore, added 34 tackles and five pass breakups, demonstrating his capability to lock down opposing receivers and provide depth for the secondary.
Overall, Jackson State’s six players named to preseason All-SWAC teams tied for the second-most selections among conference schools, matching Bethune-Cookman and Alcorn State, with only Alabama State tallying more with nine selections. The acknowledgment of Sallis and the other five players reflects the program’s depth and potential as it moves toward the 2026 campaign.
Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger. She can be reached at treid@usatodayco.com and follows on X at @tiareid65. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger under the headline: Jackson State football DB Kam Sallis named preseason SWAC Defensive Player of the Year, for better SEO.