CLEVELAND, Ohio (August 3, 2026) – The 2026 Phil Steele Preseason All-Conference teams were announced for the United Athletic Conference on Monday, as the University of North Alabama had seven players receive recognition.
Four Lions were listed on the first team, including three players from the defensive side in senior
Jyheam Ingram and juniors
Tango McCauley Jr. and
Fred Vili. The other was redshirt sophomore longsnapper
Braden Forscutt.
Three Lions landed on the second team, including redshirt senior offensive guard
Collin Wright, sophomore linebacker
Bishop Burkhalter and sophomore
Azariah Fletcher as a punt returner.
Jyheam Ingram — Sr. — DL — Muscle Shoals, Ala.
Ingram is the only returning captain from last season and is primed to lead the defense again in 2026. For the third straight season, he will don the legendary number 44 jersey, which is selected by the coaching staff and given to the leader of the defense each season in honor of 1995 Harlon Hill Trophy winner Ronald McKinnon. Ingram has started 30 games for the Lions since his freshman season and enters 2026 with 79 career tackles.
Fred Vili — Jr. — LB — Vauloauta, American Samoa
Vili has proven to be a ferocious run stopper and pass rusher for the Lions, finishing with 41 tackles and 8.0 for loss last season, including four sacks. He earned Phil Steele Third Team All-UAC last season and is expected to be a vital part of this year's defense.
Tango McCauley Jr. — Jr. — LB — Oklahoma City, Okla.
McCauley played in all 12 games last year and started the final six as an inside linebacker. He finished third on the team in tackles and is the leading returner from last season. He tallied 58 tackles in 2025 with 20 solo stops and 3.5 tackles for loss. He had at least four tackles in every conference game last season.
Braden Forscutt — So. — LS — Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Forscutt redshirted as a true freshman in 2024 and became the primary field goal snapper in 2025. Forscutt spent time practicing with the tight ends before moving to longsnapper full time. His snaps helped UNA make eight field goals, including five from 40 yards or deeper. He also helped the Lions go 31-36 on extra points, including a 21-22 mark for true freshman
Chandler Dixon.
Collin Wright — R-Sr. — OL — Muscle Shoals, Ala.
Wright is the longest tenured member of the program, as he enters his fifth season. The Muscle Shoals product has played in 26 games with 17 starts over his career, primarily as a left or right guard. His total snaps have increased every year since redshirting in 2022, and he is primed to be the leader of the offensive line in 2026.
Bishop Burkhalter — So. — LB — Mobile, Ala.
Burkhalter made an impact as a true freshman last season with 11 games played. He led all freshmen on the roster with 22 tackles, including 12 solo. He added one tackle for loss and one pass breakup. His collegiate debut came at Western Kentucky, where he made four tackles.
Azariah Fletcher — R-So. — WR/PR — Hartselle, Ala.
Fletcher had two punt returns for 19 yards last season, including a 12-yard return against West Georgia. While he did not field many punts last season, Fletcher showed glimpses of explosiveness. He was named UAC Freshman of the Week after that West Georgia game with a 75-yard touchdown catch.
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