SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Preseason awards season has begun for college football and Sacramento State has landed five players on the Phil Steele Preaseason All-MAC teams. The group is comprised of running back Jamar Curtis, wide receiver Matt Coleman, kicker Grant Meadors, defensive lineman Xavier Williams and linebacker Derek Houston. This 2026 season will be the first for the Hornets as a member of the Mid-American Conference.
 
Curtis came to the Hornets in 2025 and redshirted during the season after being limited to four games. He ended the year with 105 yards and a touchdown against UC Davis for his season high. Prior to Sacramento State, Curtis played three years at Lafayette where he amassed 3,064 rushing yards and scored 35 touchdowns.
 
Coleman came to the team during the spring after four years at San Jose State. The senior played in 36 career games for the Spartans where he had 66 receptions for 651 yards and three touchdowns.
 
Meadors led the Hornets in scoring last season with 87 points. He made 12-of-15 field goal attempts, including 10 of his 12, and was also 51-of-53 on extra points. Meadors was named the Big Sky Special Teams Player of the Week after making four field goals against Northern Colorado.
 
Williams is set to begin his seventh year with the Hornets in 2026. Last season, he appeared in all 12 games, making 11 starts. He was credited with 32 tackles, including eight for loss and six sacks. Williams had at least one tackle in every game and set his season high with five stops against Cal Poly.
 
Houston is coming off an injury-shortened six game campaign in 2025. He started the year with 14 tackles at South Dakota State and finished the year with 32 total tackles. The prior season, he tied for second on the team with 62 tackles while playing in all 12 games.
 
Sacramento State will start its 2026 season on Aug. 29 with a MAC matchup at Eastern Michigan. The team's first home game will come on Sept. 5 against Mississippi Valley State. Season tickets for the six home games can be purchased now HERE.