KANSAS – The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) football coaches released their 2026 KCAC Football Preseason All-Conference team on Monday.
Senior linebacker Sterling Gartin was named as an All-KCAC Kessinger Division Preseason selection.
Gartin joined the Tabor College Football program a season ago after a solid junior college career at Trinity Valley Community College (Athens, Texas) and made his mark as a Bluejay. In his first season in Hillsboro, he posted a 2025 stat line of 41 solo tackles, 51 total tackles, 5.1 tackles/per game, 3.5 tackles-for-loss for a total of 14 yards, as well as one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
The Whitesboro, Texas native looks to finish what he started last season, serving as a force on defense for Head Coach Mike Gardner and Defensive Coordinator C.J. Hill. Gartin and the Bluejays will host rival Sterling in the season opener on Saturday, August 29th at Joel H. Wiens Stadium.
2026 KCAC FOOTBALL DR. TED KESSINGER DIVISION PRESEASON TEAM
OFFENSE
| POSITION | NAME | INSTITUTION |
| QB | Luke Edwards | Ottawa University |
| RB | Cam Harris | Evangel University |
| RB | Anthoney Powell | Ottawa University |
| RB | Malakai Hudson | Ottawa University |
| FB | Kyle Cummings | Evangel University |
| TE | Brady Allen | Evangel University |
| TE | Rowdy Keith | Ottawa University |
| WR | Broc Lyle | Evangel University |
| WR | De’Anthony Curtis | Ottawa University |
| WR | Jayden Johnson | Ottawa University |
| WR | Ryker Grossner | Bethany College |
| OL | Isaiah Davis | Evangel University |
| OL | Dom Dawson | Evangel University |
| OL | Gus Griffith | Bethany College |
| OL | Lukas Higgins | Evangel University |
| OL | Jess Hancock | Bethel College |
| OL | Shane Sexton | Ottawa University |
DEFENSE
| POSITION | NAME | INSTITUTION |
| DL | Garrett Finley | Evangel University |
| DL | Deacon Peterson | Evangel University |
| DL | Byson Nolan | Ottawa University |
| DL | Darriene Gibbs | Tabor College |
| DL | Kamorion Carter | Bethany College |
| LB | Draven VanGilder | Evangel University |
| LB | Talon Stephens | Evangel University |
| LB | Cade Monroe | Ottawa University |
| LB | Sterling Gartin | Tabor College |
| DB | Erik Spring | Evangel University |
| DB | Kenny Spring | Evangel University |
| DB | Donovan Martin | Ottawa University |
| DB | Ethan Yinger | Ottawa University |
| DB | Elijah Hann | Ottawa University |
SPECIAL TEAMS/ALL-PURPOSE
| POSITION | NAME | INSTITUTION |
| UTL/All-Purpose | Houston Herrin | Bethel College |
| UTL/All-Purpose | Kyle Cummings | Evangel University |
| LS | Liam Aldridge | Ottawa University |
| K | Ike Prengal | Ottawa University |
| P | Colton Brosenne | Evangel University |
| Kick Return Specialist | Broc Lyle | Evangel University |
| Kick Return Specialist | De’Anthony Curtis | Ottawa University |
| Punt Return Specialist | De’Anthony Curtis | Ottawa University |
| Punt Return Specialist | Jamarie Jackson | Bethany College |
For the full KCAC release, click here.
Be sure to stay up to date with all information regarding Bluejay Athletics by following us on X at @gotaborbluejays, on Instagram and Facebook @taborbluejays, and on our official athletic website, taborbluejays.com.
Tabor College is a Christ-centered institution located in Hillsboro, Kansas. The Bluejays are members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and compete in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC).
