BEAUMONT, Texas – The preseason accolades continue to roll in for senior defensive end Andrew Huff. Just days after Southland Media Day, Huff has been named an FCS Central Preseason All-America selection. The Missouri City native garnered first-team recognition.
 
Entering his second season with the Red and White, Huff is one of just five Southland players named to the preseason team.
 
The FCS Central preseason squad becomes the second preseason All-America honor for Huff who was named a STATS Perform Preseason All-American earlier this month. Huff is also the first player in program history to be named to the Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List – an award given annually to the FCS Defensive Player of the Year – and the first Cardinal named to any of the STATS Perform player of the year award watch list since running back Kade Harrington was named to Walter Payton Preseason Watch list in 2016.
 
Huff was one of Southland's top newcomers a year ago and was a finalist for the league's newcomer of the year award. A highly underrated player on the Cards' defensive line, Huff ended 2025 fifth on the team with 60 total tackles, including 20 solo stops. Of his 60 tackles, 10.5 came behind the line of scrimmage including a team-best 6.5 sacks. He also recorded two quarterback hurries, forced a fumble, blocked a kick and recorded one pass break up.
 
Within the Southland Conference, Huff ranked 11^th in tackles for losses and third in the conference in sacks.
 
Huff was twice named SLC Defensive Player of the Week during his junior campaign. The first honor came during a week three road victory at Texas Southern where LU's defense played near flawless football nearly forcing a shutout against the Tigers. Huff recorded four tackles in the game (two solos), with 1.5 sacks and forced a fumble which led to a score. Lamar allowed just one first-quarter touchdown in the blowout victory. Huff's second honor came following a Nov. 8 upset over No. 19 Southeastern Louisiana where LU's defense held the Lions' potent offense to just 12 points.