Wayne State was picked fifth overall and fourth in the South Division in the 2026 Northern Sun Conference Preseason Football Coaches’ Poll released on August 3 by the league office in Burnsville, Minnesota.
Senior running back Dawson Forgy was also voted South Division Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.
The Wildcats are coming off an NSIC South Division title last season, going 7-4 overall, 7-3 in the NSIC and 5-1 in the South Division. WSC received 125 points in voting conducted by league coaches.
Forgy was voted by the league coaches as the NSIC South Division Preseason Offensive Player of the Year following a sensational junior season. The 5-11, 205-pound senior running back from Winterset, Iowa (Winterset HS) set a new single season rushing record last year at WSC with 1,400 yards on 241 carries (5.8 avg) with a school record 19 rushing TD’s and 21 total touchdowns.
Wayne State’s Defensive Player to Watch this season is senior defensive lineman Luke Lambert. A 6-3, 285-pounder from Ashland-Greenwood HS, Lambert was fourth on the Wildcat defense last season that led the NSIC in total defense and rush defense, tied for first in forced fumbles and second in sacks.
Wayne State opens the 2026 football season on Thursday, August 27 visiting Nebraska-Kearney in a 6 p.m. game.
Find the complete information in the August 6 edition in The Wayne Herald or subscribe today by clicking here.
