FCS Top 25: Sam Herder’s 2026 Preseason Ballot

The 2026 college football preseason is currently defined by the release of several high-profile rankings and ballots for the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and Division II levels. Specifically, Sam Herder has released a 2026 preseason ballot for the FCS Top 25, and Zach McKinnell has similarly produced a preseason ballot for the FCS Top 25. These individual assessments are appearing alongside organizational polls, such as the Stats Perform FCS Preseason Top 25 Poll, which has placed UT Martin at the number 23 spot. The activity marks a concentrated period of projections as teams prepare for the upcoming season's competition. Coverage from a variety of sports media outlets is highlighting these specific projections. HERO Sports is reporting on the ballot submitted by Sam Herder, while Sports Illustrated is detailing the preseason ballot from Zach McKinnell.

Additionally, the Ohio Valley Conference has reported on the Stats Perform poll's placement of UT Martin. Beyond the FCS level, FloFootball is providing a preview of NCAA Division II football, specifically focusing on the preseason rankings and schedules for the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). This broad range of reporting indicates a synchronized effort across specialty sports sites and major networks to set expectations for the year. Contextual data from regional reports suggests a strong presence for South Dakota institutions in these early projections. According to ESPN Sioux Falls, the AGS Preseason Poll has included both the University of South Dakota (USD) and South Dakota State University (SDSU) within its Top 25 rankings. The inclusion of multiple teams from the same state in a top-tier poll underscores the regional strength of these programs.

The simultaneous release of these ballots by independent analysts and established pollsters like Stats Perform provides a multifaceted view of which programs are expected to dominate the FCS landscape in 2026. Future developments to monitor include the actual performance of the ranked teams as the 2026 season officially commences. Observers will be tracking whether UT Martin can maintain or improve its number 23 ranking from the Stats Perform poll and how the USD and SDSU programs perform relative to their AGS Preseason Poll placements. Furthermore, the SIAC schedule and rankings detailed by FloFootball will serve as the benchmark for evaluating Division II success. The consistency between the independent ballots of Sam Herder and Zach McKinnell compared to the official poll results will likely be a point of comparison as the season progresses.