Southern Conference - Football

The Southern Conference administers NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision football in the southeastern United States. Founded in 1921, the SoCon is in its 104th football season and is the fifth-oldest Division I conference. Mercer won the 2025 SoCon championship, and its Mike Jacobs was named Coach of the Year after the Bears’ title-winning campaign. Western Carolina quarterback Taron Dickens received Offensive Player of the Year honors, while Mercer defensive lineman Andrew Zock was Defensive Player of the Year and Bears quarterback Braden Atkinson was Freshman of the Year. The 2026 league has 10 football programs following the addition of Tennessee Tech, and its broadcast package features all 10 teams across 15 games.