The majority of the main national outlets for FCS football coverage released their preseason awards throughout July and early August with the Bucs' star senior linebacker Steve Zayachkowsky earning multiple awards. He was named a preseason Third-Team All-American as well as a member of the 30-member preseason watchlist for the Buck Buchanan Award which is given to the top defensive player in the FCS. Additionally, he was named as a nominee for the AFCA Good Works Teams, presented by Allstate, one of just two representatives from the league on the list. Lastly, the Phil Steele Preseason All-Conference teams were released with Zayachkowsky being chosen as the OVC Defensive Player of the Year.
Zayachkowsky was selected first-team all-conference last season after leading the conference with 109 tackles. He had ten or more tackles six times during the year, including 19 in a nonconference game against William & Mary. The linebacker also added 4.5 tackles for loss, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in the fall and was named OVC-Big South Defensive Player of the Week twice. He has played 30 games in his Buccaneer career and collected 195 tackles to date.
The Buck Buchanon award is in its 32nd season and named after legendary defensive lineman Junious “Buck” Buchanan, who starred at Grambling State as part of his Hall of Fame career. The OVC has had three previous winners, including Darius Jackson (2017), Zach Hall (2018) and Terrell Allen (2023). Zayachkowsky was the lone representative from the Ohio Valley to be selected to the Watch List for the award.
More players can join the Buck Buchanan Award watch list before a national media panel selects the winner after the regular season from a group of finalists. Stats Perform also presents the Walter Payton Award (FCS Offensive Player of the Year), Jerry Rice Award (FCS Freshman Player of the Year), Eddie Robinson Award (FCS Coach of the Year), HBCU National Player of the Year and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Allstate and AFCA named 162 student-athletes as nominees for the 2026 Good Works Team, recognizing college football players who lead through community service, academics and athletics. This year’s nominees are creating positive impact in their communities through causes ranging from maternal health and youth mentorship to supporting children with disabilities and veterans. The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team reflects Allstate’s longstanding commitment to supporting student-athletes who strengthen their communities through service.
For the All-American squads, there are 26 returning postseason All-Americans, including 10 from the first team. All 13 conferences and 53 schools are represented on the 101-player squad. Zayachkowsky is one of three representatives on the list from the OVC as UT Martin’s long snapper Hayden King was a First-Teamer and SEMO’s linebacker McCoy Casey was a Third-Teamer as well.
The full list of Phil Steele Preseason All-Conference honorees for the Buccaneers can be found below. Charleston Southern had a conference-high 19 selections across the First, Second and Third Teams.
First-Team All-Conference
WR – Mekhi Campfield
OL – Ethan Hunt
DL – Mylan Bowen
LB – Steve Zayachkowsky
DB – Champ Brantley
DB – Anthony Paulk
Second-Team All-Conference
RB – Hakeem Watters
WR – Quay Kindell
OL – Justin Joe
KR – Quay Kindell
AP – Quay Kindell
Third-Team All-Conference
RB – Tyson Greenwade
OL - Josiah Lancaster
DL – CJ Landrum
DL – Jason Hertz
LB – Taivon Snipe
DB – Kendrick Clark
DB – Chandler Perry
LS – Ross Rambo
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