CONWAY, S.C. – Three Coastal Carolina football players earned Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference honors, while the Chanticleers were picked to finish fifth in the Sun Belt Conference East Division in the league's preseason coaches poll, the conference office announced Monday.

Graduate defensive back Ja'Marion Wayne was named to the Preseason All-Sun Belt First Team, while redshirt senior linebacker Tray Brown and junior defensive back Myles Woods earned Second Team recognition.

Wayne started all 12 games at cornerback last season and finished among the team leaders with 61 tackles. He also totaled 1.5 tackles for loss, one interception, two forced fumbles, seven pass breakups and a blocked field goal. 

Brown appeared in all 13 games with nine starts at linebacker in 2025, finishing fourth on the team with 54 tackles while leading the Chanticleers with 11.5 tackles for loss. The Margate, Fla., native also recorded 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Woods started 11 of Coastal's 13 games last season and led the team with three interceptions while totaling 45 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and six pass breakups. The Grayson, Ga., native posted a career-high nine tackles at South Carolina.

The preseason honors add to a growing list of recognition for the Chanticleers heading into the 2026 campaign.

Earlier this offseason, six Coastal Carolina players earned Preseason All-Sun Belt honors from Athlon Sports, while nine Chanticleers were recognized by Phil Steele. Punter Emile Sebafundi also earned Second Team preseason honors from Lindy's Sports.

In the preseason coaches poll, Coastal Carolina received 45 points and one first-place vote to finish fifth in the Sun Belt East Division. James Madison was selected as the East Division favorite with 94 points and 11 first-place votes, while Troy was picked to win the West Division with 96 points and 12 first-place votes.

The Chanticleers will open the 2026 season on Saturday, Sept. 5, with a road contest at West Virginia before hosting Fordham in their home opener on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Brooks Stadium.


2026 Sun Belt Conference Preseason All-Sun Belt Team
First Team

• DB Ja'Marion Wayne

Second Team

• LB Tray Brown
• DB Myles Woods

2026 Sun Belt Conference Preseason Coaches Poll
East Division

1. James Madison – 94 (11 first-place votes)
2. Old Dominion – 73 (1)
3. Marshall – 67
4. Georgia Southern – 53 (1)
5. Coastal Carolina – 45 (1)
6. App State – 43
7. Georgia State – 17

West Division

1. Troy – 96 (12)
2. Louisiana – 75 (1)
3. Arkansas State – 69
4. Louisiana Tech – 55
5. Southern Miss – 47 (1)
6. South Alabama – 31
7. ULM – 19