CHARLOTTE, N.C.- The Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers will open their 2024 season Friday ranked #16 in the country according to the NJCAA Preseason National Poll released on Monday by the National Office.
FSW is coming off of a 31-22 campaign which saw them finish 2nd in the Southern Conference standings and advance to the FCSAA State Tournament for a fourth consecutive season. The Bucs bring back a few key pieces off of last year's squad including first baseman Nate Earley and pitchers Isaac Upole and Reyn Watson, but it is the newcomers to the FSW roster that have opened eyes in the preseason. The Bucs boast 10 NCAA Division I early signees this season including six headed to Power 5 programs. Headliners include Georgia transfer and future Arkansas Razorback Justin Thomas as well as left handed slugger Victor Figueroa who will be headed to Pittsburgh next year. On the mound the Bucs high octane staff includes Florida State signee Landon O'Donnell and Oklahoma State commit Alex Walsh as well as Arkansas transfer Jordan Huskey who joined the Purple and Aqua at the break.
The preseason poll expectedly is led by some NJCAA blue bloods as defending National Champs Central Florida claim their post at #1 while 2024 runners-up Wabash Valley is #2 and Weatherford, Blinn, and Walters State round out the top five. The Bucs are one of just three FCSAA squads in the poll, following the aforementioned #1 Central Florida and #6 Northwest Florida who the Bucs will see twice in the opening week of the 2024 campaign.
FSW opens their season on Friday in Bradenton when they take on #6 Northwest Florida in a Top 20 matchup at 1 PM. Bucs fans first chance to see the team play at home will come next Tuesday, January 30th when they take on Inspiration Academy in a 2 PM start from Buccaneers Park in Fort Myers.