PITMAN, NJ --- Salisbury garnered four first-place votes and has been tabbed as the preseason favorite to win the 2021 NJAC football title, based on a vote of the league's seven head coaches.

Montclair State picked up two first-place votes and is predicted to finish second this season. Rowan, returning to the field for the first time since 2019, was picked third. Christopher Newport is tabbed fourth and was named the conference dark horse selection for this season. TCNJ was picked fifth, William Paterson sixth, and Kean seventh.

NJAC football returns to its regular format with the seven teams playing a round-robin after a divisional alignment in the covid-modified spring season. 

Salisbury is also ranked eighth in the D3football.com Preseason Top 25, and Montclair State received 13 votes in the national poll.

The Sea Gulls, who won the last full-season NJAC title in 2019 and then the South Division title this spring, return a pair of D3football.com Preseason All-Americans in Joseph Osborne and Sean Carroll as well as two-time NJAC Offensive Player of the Year Jack Lanham. Osborne has been key on the Gulls' potent offensive line and looks to provide leadership once again this season. Lanham threw for 13 touchdowns in 2019 and also threw for one in the team's 32-30 win over Wesley in the spring game. Carroll looks to lead the defense, as the Third Team Preseason All-American registered 67 tackles including 42 solo stops in the last full season. The team also returns 11 players from the Spring 2021 All-NJAC South Division team and five 2019 All-NJAC selections. 

The Red Hawks, second in this year's preseason poll, showed in the spring games that they are a formidable force in the race for the conference title. They won the NJAC North Division and return a wealth of experience from that squad, including Co-Offensive Player of the Year Abellany Mendez and Special Teams Player of the Year/D3football.com All-American Zahir Wilder. The offensive experience includes senior quarterback Ja'Quill Burch who averaged 196.0 yards per game and registered three touchdowns in three spring games. Mendez rushed for 62.3 yards per game and three TDs in the spring as well. Matt Schnoll and Zach Skrivanic, who both earned All-Conference honors in the spring, are also back on the offensive side. Head Coach Rick Giancola also returns a core of seven All-Conference defenders for what looks to be a promising season for MSU.

Rowan returns to the field and although the Profs did not play in the spring season, they return an experienced offensive line, quarterback, and safeties along with a deep line backing core on defense. Junior quarterback and captain Mike Husni ranked second in the NJAC in 2019 in passing yards per game (180.2) and pass completion percentage (64.0). He will look to connect with junior wide receiver John Maldonado, who racked up 468 receiving yards in 2019. On defense, junior linebacker Mike Mascioli returns; in 2019, he ranked sixth in the NJAC with 75 tackles including 37 solo stops and six tackles for loss. Senior Malachi Winters, a 2019 all-conference pick, is also back. He posted 39 tackles and six pass breakups in his last season on the field.

CNU, the conference dark horse pick, boasts an experienced group on offense but even more so on the defensive side of the ball. Head Coach Art Link could start up to four senior linebackers to help cause problems for opposing offenses, including two-time all-conference pick Sean Wilkinson. Wilkinson was in the top 10 with 6.5 tackles per game in the shortened spring season. Junior cornerback Josh Uvodich also earned all-conference honors in the spring at both defense and special teams. On the offensive side, the Captains are looking for one of four talented quarterbacks to earn the starting role, but will have experience at both the wide receiver position and tight end position. 2019 First Team wide receiver Garrison Mayo is back as well as a trio of all-conference offensive linemen in Josh Hartley, Drew Knott, and Nick Norman.

TCNJ is also back on the field for the first time since 2019, but Head Coach Casey Goff is excited for his team's potential. The Lions' squad includes 32 seniors and 32 juniors, a much higher level of experience and maturity than years past. Dave Jachera, the Offensive Rookie of the Year in his freshman campaign in 2018, will lead from the quarterback position. He is joined by senior running back Mark Pacini, who ran for 571 yards and two touchdowns in 2019, as well as wide receivers Matthew Macaulay and Joey Bellamy. The Lion defense is riddled with senior experience, including 2018 all-conference honoree Gavin Liepe.

William Paterson brings back experience for the 2021 season, including two-time All-Conference running back Terrique Riddick and 2019 Defensive Rookie of the Year Devyn Blount. Riddick earned all-conference honors for both offense and special teams, and was second in the conference in rushing in 2019 with 75.4 yards per game and eight touchdowns. Blount started all 10 games in his rookie season in 2019, finishing with 41 tackles (29 solo) four interceptions, and 11 passes defended. Isaiah De La Cruz, who got a taste of collegiate experience in the Pioneers' spring game, was the Co-Defensive Rookie of the Year after posting five tackles (four solo) and one interception in his debut. 

Kean will field a very young squad in 2021, but Head Coach Dan Garrett is pleased with the strong work ethic his Cougars have displayed through the modified spring season and summer. He will have the senior leadership of Dante Capozzoli on defense and Myles Toppin on offense. Capozzioli, a D3football.com Preseason All-American, was also AP All-America in 2019. He was also NJAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year after totaling 87 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles in his last full season. Toppin, a wide receiver, recorded 580 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 2019. He also played in Kean's one spring game where he received for 63 yards and a TD.

2021 NJAC Football Preseason Poll (first place votes in parentheses)
1. Salisbury (4)
2. Montclair State (2)
3. Rowan
4. Christopher Newport (dark horse)
5. TCNJ (1)
6. William Paterson
7. Kean