WACO, Texas – The American Football Coaches Association has released its 2024 preseason poll with the Ouachita Tigers coming in at No. 19 in the nation.

The Tigers have been a mainstay in the AFCA top 25 under the leadership of Todd Knight, who enters his 25th season as the head coach of his alma mater. Ouachita was ranked in the AFCA top 25 for 63 consecutive polls from 2018 to 2023, including reaching as high as No. 3 during the 2022 season.

Despite a 9-2 finish last year, with the only losses coming to eventual national champion Harding and NCAA playoffs qualifier Henderson State, the streak was snapped after falling out of the rankings in the final poll of the 2023 season.

12 all-conference performers, four all-region performers, and two All-Americans return from last year's squad that finished in a three-way tie for second place in the Great American Conference. The league's coaches recently voted Ouachita as the No. 2 team in the league to start 2024.

Ouachita is among five teams from the GAC to be included in the AFCA preseason poll. Harding starts the year at No. 1. Henderson State, Southern Arkansas, and Oklahoma Baptist all received votes, but did not make the top 25.

The 2024 campaign starts on Thursday, September 5. Ouachita hosts Southwestern Oklahoma State for a 7 p.m. kickoff at Cliff Harris Stadium.