The Battle for SoCon Supremacy Begins
- George Bagwell
- Jul 23
- 3 min read
Following a historic run in the 2024 FCS Playoffs, Mercer has been selected as the preseason favorite to win the Southern Conference, according to the league’s head coaches.
The Bears earned 60 points and six of the nine available first-place votes in the 2025 SoCon Preseason Coaches' Poll. Mercer returns one of the most dominant defensive units in the nation, having led all of Division I in rushing yards allowed per game last season (70.8). Anchoring that effort is defensive lineman Andrew Zock, the league’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. In total, Mercer placed 11 players on the preseason All-SoCon teams, split between the first and second squads.
Chattanooga was selected second in the poll with 50 points and two first-place votes. The Mocs are coming off a 7–5 (5–3 SoCon) campaign in 2024 under sixth-year head coach Rusty Wright. Returning to lead the offensive line is preseason first-team selection BJ Ragland. Tight end John McIntyre and defensive back Jeremiah Batiste earned second-team recognition.
Western Carolina claimed the final first-place vote and slotted in just behind Chattanooga with 49 points. The Catamounts finished second in the league a year ago with a 6–2 SoCon record (7–5 overall), including ranked wins over Elon and Chattanooga. They lead the conference with six first-team preseason selections, headlined by quarterback Taron Dickens, the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.
He’s joined by running back Branson Adams, offensive lineman Zach Watson, defensive lineman Caleb Fisher, linebacker Hayward McQueen Jr., and defensive back Ken Moore Jr. Western Carolina added four more players to the second team.
East Tennessee State was picked fourth with 43 points. The Buccaneers were one of four SoCon teams to post a winning conference record in 2024, joining Mercer, Chattanooga, and WCU. Running back Devontae Houston highlights ETSU’s preseason first-team honorees, alongside offensive lineman Ashton Flinn, wide receiver Hakeem Meggett, and defensive lineman Nick Hunter. ETSU placed five more players on the second team, including offensive linemen Jonathan Cline and Micah Sumpter, and kicker Ewan Johnson.
Samford took fifth in the poll with 40 points. The Bulldogs return quarterback Quincy Crittendon, one of just three FCS quarterbacks to average over 25 completions per game last season. Samford placed two players on the first team, defensive lineman Conroy Cunningham and long snapper Alex Applefield, while Crittendon and linebacker Jaden Mosley earned second-team nods.
Furman landed sixth with 36 points. Despite a 3–8 finish in 2024, the Paladins were well represented at SoCon Media Day with four first-team preseason selections: offensive lineman Eli Brasher, tight end Jackson Pryor, linebacker Ryan Earl, and kicker Ian Williams. Offensive lineman Luke Petit was named to the second team.
Two South Carolina programs followed: Wofford was picked seventh with 19 points, and The Citadel eighth with 17. Wofford placed one player, defensive back CJ Coombes, on the first team, and had five second-team selections.
Despite their overall record, The Citadel tied for the second-most first-team All-SoCon selections with four: offensive lineman Mike Bartilucci, linebacker Je’Mazin Roberts, defensive back Cale Williams, and punter James Platte. Return specialist Braylon Knauth was named to the second team. Oh, and they now have a BONAFIED star at the most important position in football ...
VMI rounded out the poll in ninth with 10 points. The Keydets went 1–7 in SoCon play last season, with their lone victory coming against Furman. Defensive back Kouri Crump earned first-team honors.
2025 SoCon Preseason Coaches Poll
Key Opening Weekend Matchups
Mercer opens its season on Friday, Aug. 23, at home against UC Davis. Samford kicks off the following Thursday, Aug. 28, hosting West Georgia. The rest of the conference begins play on Saturday, Aug. 30, with several notable matchups:
VMI travels to face Navy
Chattanooga visits Memphis
The Citadel hosts FCS powerhouse North Dakota State
As the 2025 season looms, the race for the SoCon crown promises to be tightly contested, and full of surprises.
The Battle for Supremacy Begins. 👑
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