RICHMOND, Va. – Eight Elon football student-athletes earned 2026 CAA Football preseason recognition, as the Coastal Athletic Association announced its preseason all-conference team and predicted order of finish Wednesday.
 
Six Phoenix were selected to the CAA Football Preseason All-Conference Team, while two additional players received honorable mention recognition. The preseason honors and league poll were determined through a vote of the CAA's 13 head coaches. To view the full list of CAA Football preseason honorees, visit CAASports.com.
 
Running back Jimmyll Williams, fullback/H-back Dylan Magazu and offensive lineman Tim Hogan represented Elon on offense. Linebacker Brodie Carroll and safety Tony Hart III were selected on defense, while placekicker Luke Barnes earned a spot on special teams.
 
Wide receiver Landyn Backey and defensive lineman Dillon Pardue received honorable mention recognition.
 
All six of Elon's preseason all-conference selections earned postseason All-CAA honors in 2025. Magazu, Hogan and Carroll were named to the All-CAA Second Team, while Hart and Barnes earned third-team recognition. Williams was an honorable mention selection.
 
Carroll and Barnes also received national recognition earlier this month when both were named Stats Perform FCS Preseason Second Team All-Americans. Carroll was also tabbed to the Buck Buchanan Award preseason watch list, recognizing early contenders for the national defensive player of the year in FCS football.
 
Elon was picked to finish third in the 13-team conference, receiving 115 points in the preseason poll. Rhode Island was selected as the preseason favorite with 144 points and 12 first-place votes, while Monmouth ranked second with 119 points.
 
New Hampshire followed Elon in fourth with 106 points, while Stony Brook received the remaining first-place vote and ranked fifth with 105 points.
 
2026 CAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON HONOREES (ELON)
Preseason All-CAA Offense
Jimmyll Williams, Sr., RB
Dylan Magazu, Jr., FB/HB
Tim Hogan, Gr., OL
 
Preseason All-CAA Defense
Brodie Carroll, Jr., LB
Tony Hart III, Jr., S
 
Preseason All-CAA Special Teams
Luke Barnes, Jr., PK
 
Honorable Mention
Landyn Backey, WR
Dillon Pardue, DL
 
2026 CAA FOOTBALL PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
Voted on by the league's head coaches
 
1. Rhode Island – 144 points (12 first-place votes)
2. Monmouth – 119
3. Elon – 115
4. New Hampshire – 106
5. Stony Brook – 105 (1)
6. Towson – 93
7. Maine – 88
8. Campbell – 56
9. Bryant – 50
10. Sacred Heart – 49
11. UAlbany – 35
12. North Carolina A&T – 28
13. Hampton – 26
 
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