LIVINGSTON, Ala. - After a 9-2 season in 2024, the University of West Alabama Football team landed seven players on the Preseason All-GSC team which was announced by the conference on Wednesday.

UWA's Ben Newton, Brandon Kirksey, Issac Williams, Brayden Jenkins, Jaden Taylor, Dearrius Nelson, and Elijah Guyton all picked up Preseason All-GSC recognitions as they gear up for the 2025 campaign.

Along with their seven recipients, West Alabama was picked second in the Preseason Poll.

In 2024, Newton was one of the leaders of the Tigers' offensive line. After starting all 11 games and anchoring West Alabama to the second most rushing yards per game in the conference, the Center was named Second Team All-GSC. Alongside Newton on the OLine was Kirksey. With his 6'5", 350 pound frame, Kirksey is a needle mover for UWA as the Guard played a vital role in the Tigers' rushing attack and in keeping Quarterback Spencer Arceneaux upright.

Running Back Brayden Jenkins was a part of a three-headed monster in the backfield in 2024 as the rising junior shared snaps with Bry Webb and Devontae Causey. With Webb and Causey no longer on the roster, Webb is slated to be UWA's starting Running Back in 2025. While sharing snaps, Jenkins finished the 2024 season with 254 rushing yards on 60 carries and one touchdown. 

With the departures of Khris Binion, Tyler Walker, and Silas Thompson, Dearrius Nelson is slated to be the Tigers' WR1 to begin the season. Nelson is the most experienced receiver on West Alabama's roster, playing in 28 games over the past three seasons. This past year, the Graduate Student recorded 18 catches for 155 and two touchdowns.

In the 2024 campaign, Issac Williams solidified himself as one of the best safeties in the conference. The senior led UWA in interceptions with three along with 60 total tackles, with 3.0 being tackles for loss. The Tigers lost a plethora of starters on the defensive side of the ball, but returned one of their most talented players in Williams. The DB is expected to pick up where he left off in 2024.

West Alabama's Special Teams unit was one of the best in the GSC a year ago and a lot of that had to do with Elijah Guyton and Jaden Taylor. As the Tigers' Placekicer, Guyton turned in the best year of his career in 2024. The redshirt junior nailed 15-19 Field Goals, with three being beyond 40 yards. Guyton scored 80 points last season which ranked third in the GSC amongst all players, leading to the Kicker being named an AFCA First Team All-American. As for Taylor, he was a big four starter on special teams for the Tigers, meaning he started on all four special teams units. The Defensive Back also led West Alabama in Special Teams tackles, which led to him being named a First Team All-GSC selection in 2024 and now a Preseason All-GSC selection for the upcoming 2025 year.