WALTHAM, Mass. – The reigning Northeast 10 football champion is favored to successfully defend its crown, as the conference's head coaches selected Bentley as the top team in the 2026 NE10 preseason poll.

Bentley totaled 47 points and five first-place votes in the poll. Assumption received three first-place votes, totaling 45 points to place second in the poll. Franklin Pierce rounds out the top three with 33 points.

The 2025 Falcons won the program's first conference title since 2019. Second-year head coach CJ Scarpa '17 and his 2026 squad well-equipped as they enter this season with a target on their back.

Bentley returns quarterback Luke Warnock, who was named the NE10 Rookie of the Year in 2025. Joshua Compoh and Telly Edouard, Bentley's two top ball carriers last year, return to the backfield. Jett Ellis, who earned All-NE10 Second Team in 2025, will be a key leader for Bentley's offensive line this fall.

Defensively, Bentley returns All-NE10 First Team selection Jake Fredericks, and All-NE10 Second Team honorees Kieran Campbell and Quincy Pickett.  

Warnock, Ellis, Fredericks, and Campbell, along with defensive back David Brown Jr., are Bentley's captains this year.

The 2026 season starts at Ferris State, Sept. 4. The home opener is Sept. 19 against Post. A complete season preview will follow in the coming weeks.