SWAC Football Preview 2016 Who Will Win It All?

The Fall Semester brings a sense of excitement for college students. Anticipation lingers around “The Bluff” with hopes for a successful 2016 Football season. The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is made up of 10 teams that will duke it out for a championship ring this upcoming season. New head, offensive, and defensive coaches have been placed in various schools, including Southern University. The two time reigning champions of Alcorn State University are predicted to contend for a three peat, but with Wide Receiver Willie Quinn and Running Back Lenard Tillery acting as an offensive power house for Southern, the Braves might be getting a run for their money this fall.
Prairie View acts a fan favorite in the West division with all eyes on Trey Green, their starting quarterback who completed 59% of his passes last season. Alcorn State University’s Lenore Footman acted as the key for The Braves offense. Texas Southern University struggled to maintain a consistent starting quarterback to throw to Derrick Griffin , who also acted as the Conferences men basketball player of the year. There is no doubt rather Lenard Tillery will show up and show out this season. His performance holds a direct correlation to the Jaguars success. Willie Quinn is also a key focal point for Southern University Football. Both are looking to shatter records. As the Jaguars all-time leading rusher, Tillery is just 910 yards shy of breaking the all-time SWAC record of rushing yards which was previously held by Jackson State’s Destry Wright (1997-99). He was also voted as the SWAC preseason offensive player of the year. Quinn is entering the season with 9 career total touch downs. An additional two will tie him with Florida A&M’s LeRoy Vann (2006-2009) for the FCS all-time career mark for total return scores.
Defensively, the SWACS reigning defensive player of the year, Alabama State LB Kourtney Berry, is coming back strong for his final season. Grambling State University and Southern produces players who are looking to fight for the honor as well. Grambling’s DB Guy Stallworth completed a total of 101 tackles while Southern DL Aaron Tiller ended the season with SWAC-best 10 sacks in 2015.
QB Austin Howard, OL Anthony Mosley, and OL Terrell Lee and others are amongst other many other honorable players from the University. The foundation of newly Installed turf and track field has students, faculty, and alumni ready for the season to being. The first game is set for Saturday Sept 3 against the University of Monroe in Monroe, Louisiana.