MACON, Ga. -- The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Football Media Day presented by Georgia Power is the big kickoff to the upcoming season. But the event is also used to put a bow on the previous academic year's accomplishments. For Tuskegee, it meant a lot of attention throughout the event.
Prior to the commencement of the release of the Preseason All-Conference Teams and Predicted Order of Finish for the 2026 football campaign, Vice President for Athletics Reginald Ruffin was named SIAC Athletic Director of the Year amd Deputy Athletic Director Deborah Jones-Rodgers was selected as SIAC Compliance Director of the Year and Senior Women's Administrator of the Year in a vote done by their conference compatriots in each category. Ruffin also collected the SIAC Commissioner's Cup for women's athletics after the Golden Tigers - paced by championships in tennis, indoor and outdoor track anf field - outpointed the competition to earn the distinguished hardware.
When it came time to recognize the football team, the SIAC coaches had a lot of faith in the Golden Tigers. Even after a 4-7 overall record and 3-5 conference mark that tied for seventh place in 2025, Tuskegee was picked to finish third behind Edward Waters and Benedict for the upcoming season. Head coach Aaron James said after playing with a lot of young players last season, his group is battle-tested and ready to return to its perch among the SIAC's best.
"I know we're going to be a better team this year," said James, who begins his fourth season at the helm of the program. "I'm going to stand on the table for that and my coaches and players are going to follow my lead. So we're going to be a great Tuskegee University this year."
Among the players who are expected to help lead the Golden Tigers back to the top are wide receiver
EJ Hall, defensive lineman
Masiah Wells and kicker
Lorcan Ryans, who were both chosen preseason All-SIAC First Team, and running back
Johnny Morris, who was picked for the Second Team by vote of the SIAC's head football coaches.
Hall, a junior, had 30 catches for 681 yards and five touchdowns last season, when he earned All-SIAC Second Team honors. Ryans, a senior, scored a team-high 63 points, which was forth in the conference. His 14 fields goals tied for the league lead as well as he earned a First Team All-SIAC selection. Wells, a junior, had a big 2025 campaign, finishing with 55 tackles, nine tackles for loss, four sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He will serve as the anchor along the defensive front. Morris, a junior, was the top rusher last season for Tuskegee (90 carries, 386 yards rushing, one touchdown TD; nine receptions, 73 yards) looks to hold down the top spot on the depth chart as a capable runner and pass catcher out of the backfield.
The Golden Tigers open the 2026 campaign on Aug. 30 in the Red Tails Classic against West Alabama at Montgomery's Cramton Bowl. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be played in front of a national television audience on ESPN2.
