Year in and year out, the Southern Conference is the most parity-filled league in the FCS, top to bottom. A team that seems to be in the bottom third can (and will) rise up and knock off a team in the top third, and there are countless examples. Even the Big Sky and MVFC can’t boast that.
Several of these programs have been around since the leather-helmet days, back when some of these teams played Alabama, Clemson, and Florida year to year, and sometimes won. Schools like Chattanooga, Furman, The Citadel, and even Mercer — during its first stint in football – roamed the gridiron and are still doing it today.
So how does this conference look for 2024? We’ll take the easy route out and just say there will be a lot of parity, again, and there isn’t a clear leader because the league is so balanced. Here’s our best guess at how things will go.
Preseason All-Americans
Chattanooga (3) – WR Javin Whatley (1st Team); DL Marlon Taylor (1st Team); OL Reid Williams (2nd Team)
Samford (1) – LB Noah Martin (1st Team)
Western Carolina (1) – QB Cole Gonzales (2nd Team)
Mercer (1) – LB Ken Standley (2nd Team)
ETSU (1) – LB William McRainey (2nd Team)
Teams Bringing In The Most D1 Transfers
FBS-to-FCS Transfers & FCS-to-FCS Transfers
ETSU — 37 (9 FBS, 28 FCS)
Samford — 20 (13 FBS, 7 FCS)
Chattanooga — 17 (11 FBS, 6 FCS)
Mercer — 11 (8 FBS, 3 FCS)
Western Carolina — 7 (4 FBS, 3 FCS)
Names To Know
TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYER: Cole Gonzales, Western Carolina QB — This was a tough decision, as Gonzales and Chattanooga senior Chase Artopoeus were both outstanding in 2023. The nod goes to Gonzales for a couple of reasons. First, WCU beat Chattanooga, and his production was slightly ahead of Artopoeus. On the flip side, Artopoeus did lead the Mocs to the postseason for the first time in several years. You really can’t go wrong, either way. Gonzales passed for 2,803 yards, 28 TDs, and 7 INTs last year.
TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Marlon Taylor, Chattanooga DL — Taylor is a terror, like an out-of-control bowling ball that ran into a wall and won. He’s 6-foot-2, 322 pounds, and can flat-out move or plug a necessary hole and is already catching the eye of pro scouts. Last year he finished with 30 tackles, 9 TFLs, and 5.5 sacks. His career: 68 tackles, 16 TFLs as a block-absorbing “Nose”.
TOP NFL PROSPECT: C.J. Williams, Western Carolina CB — Williams, an Alabama native, is 31 games into his Western Carolina career. He really broke out in 2023 and is respected as the No. 5 cornerback prospect in the FCS, according to Draft Scout. WCU had a breakout year in 2023 and looks to take it another step this fall, and Williams will be relied upon there. He finished last year with 59 tackles, 8 passes defended, and 3 TFLs.
HERO Sports’ Predicted Order of Finish
1. Western Carolina
2. Chattanooga
3. Furman
4. Mercer
5. ETSU
6. Samford
7. VMI
8. Wofford
9. The Citadel
We already mentioned that this league has a lot of parity. Case in point? How about Wofford’s win over SoCon champion Furman last year? The Terriers were second to last in the group but knocked off the Paladins. How about VMI’s victory over Western Carolina? Or ETSU being just two points away from knocking off playoff-bound Chattanooga.
That should sum up what we’re talking about.
This year, the top of the order is tough to put in order. Western Carolina (7-4 last year) is the most intriguing team, one year removed from looking like the best team in the league before key injuries slowed down the Catamounts. They have the best quarterback in the SoCon, Cole Gonzales, and they’ve been recruiting well while adding key transfers. WCU easily could be the leading contender, but it is hardly alone.
Chattanooga (8-5) picked up the vote in the coaches poll as the SoCon favorite, and with good reason. The Mocs loaded up on transfers, bringing in 10 from the FBS ranks and six more from the FCS. There are arguments to be made for them to be at the top of the league, and if this transfer class performs, this may be the best offensive line in the country.
Furman (10-3) was hit hard by graduation and transfers, and the Paladins aren’t the kind of program that is going to stock up on transfers itself. This is likely why they didn’t get the preseason nod from the coaches’ vote, but they are still up high in the pecking order.
Mercer (9-4) made the playoffs for the first time in school history. This is considered the dark horse candidate to do something special this year. It knocked off Western Carolina late last year but did struggle against Furman and lost to Chattanooga, too. Is this a program that could disrupt the trio above? Yes, possibly.
As we already said above, the rest of the league can – and let’s face it, will – knock off teams within this preseason top four. It happens every year in the SoCon and it is rare that one team goes undefeated, winning all eight of its league games (yes, they all play each other – isn’t that nice?). ETSU (3-8) is intriguing with a new coaching staff and nearly 40 transfers on board. How will this translate to success? We shall see. Samford (6-5) had a winning season and throws the ball around as well as any program in the FCS.
Buckle up, folks, because in November, we’re going to be trying to figure out this crazy and entertaining conference.
