TAHLEQUAH -- Northeastern State's Marvelous Owens and Donnie Smith earned spots on D2Football.com's Preseason Elite 100 watch list.

Owens earned a First Team Defense spot from the online publication and is coming off a season as the program's first All-American on defense since 2013 and the first defender to receive a First Team nod since 2010.  During a 9-3 season for the RiverHawks in 2025, he grabbed seven interceptions and 11 pass breakups. The senior recorded an interception in four consecutive mid-season games and posted a season-high four pass breakups against McKendree. 

The CFBNetwork previously named him as a preseason All-American at defensive back.

Smith was one of seven quarterbacks placed on the offensive squad list by D2Football.com.  The senior is coming off a 2025 campaign in which he broke single-season program records for total offense (2,962 yards), passing yards (3,045), completions (231), passing yards per game (253.8), and completion percentage (71.1%).  He was named in the preseason by FloCollege to the Harlon Hill watch list.

Northeastern State is currently in fall camp with its football opener on August 29 against Delta State at Doc Wadley Stadium.   The matchup has been listed on a handful of publications as one of the top season-opening games in Division II football.