Over the last year, the South region has become a hub for league growth and a region that everybody should keep their eyes on. Many schools are primed to enter the region and begin competitive play; additionally, each of the existing programs are expected to take significant leaps in the 2027 campaign. Here’s a preview of what each program should set out to achieve in the upcoming season.
Northern Kentucky
2026 record: 8-12
Pre-season Ranking: #16
The Northern Kentucky Norse enter their fourth season in the association, coached by club founder, Wes Peters. Braylon Patton and Will Strong remain the marquee names for the Norse, but Michael Venneman has been elected President of the program. Patton carried the team last year to a 2nd straight South Dodgeball Cup title with an electrifying OT performance, including an onslaught of kills and a double catch to win the cup over North Georgia. Will Strong remains a consistent threat on the court both in his throwing and his leadership. Despite an unfruitful nationals performance, Northern Kentucky has all the signs that they will continue their sustained growth and enter a greater echelon of teams this season.
Northern Kentucky’s Projected Overtime 6
- #12 Will Strong (C)
- #28 Braylon Patton (C)
- #21 Sean Cancel (C)
- #2 Tyler Krohman
- #99 Ryan Johnston
- #67 Tristian Starr
North Georgia
2026 record: 7-8
Pre-season Ranking: #15
Since the pandemic, North Georgia have rebuilt their roster and are making steady improvements. Last September, UNG founder Kyle Dattlebaum hoisted the 2026 Nighthawks as the “best team [UNG] have put on the court.” For most of the season, Henry Bowman served as the star player of North Georgia as an all-around player capable of playing every spot on the court; however, the spring semester is when Matthew Bender and Ezekiel Fowler came into their own and took the Nighthawks to overtime in the South Dodgeball Cup title game versus Northern Kentucky.
North Georgia’s rookies were voted the 2nd best rookie class in the league in 2026 with many athletic standouts such as William Moye, Joey Terrell, Jesse Whited, and Beau Gabriel. As the competition in the southern region rises, it won’t be long before North Georgia will be able to hold their own in the Midwest.
North Georgia’s Projected Overtime 6
- #67 Henry Bowman (C)
- #13 Ezekiel Fowler (C)
- #24 Matthew Bender (C)
- #55 Nolan Robison
- #17 Joey Terrell
- #10 Brendan Boyd (C)
Alabama
2026 record: 3-8
Pre-season Ranking: #20
Putting up 3 wins in their debut season, Alabama’s rookie class (their entire team) was voted the 5th best in the league in 2026. A trip to Ohio in February for Miami’s Redhawk Classic gave the Crimson Tide a wealth of experience for their first season in the league.
In 2026, Alabama’s roster consisted solely of freshmen and sophomores, so great expectations will be held on the large number of returning players and recruiting opportunities. Avery Thomas emerged as the team’s most consistent player last season, hanging around in points and doing it all on the court. Balanced by Nicholas Rossini’s and Dominic Lang’s throwing and Avery Weathers’s catching, the four Alabama captains remain the core of the team going into the 2027 season.
Alabama’s Projected Overtime 6
- #0 Avery Weathers (C)
- #55 Avery Thomas (C)
- #14 Nicholas Rossini (C)
- #25 Dominic Lang (C)
- #66 Nate Hicks
- #6 Zalan Volkan-Kacso
Georgia Southern
2026 Record: 0-10
Pre-season Ranking: #26
For a team that has historically been on top of the Southern region, the Eagles’ roster constraints kept them from logging any wins last season (besides a win over Alabama resulting in a technical forfeit). With a new president in Mason Wade, GSU is putting their focus on recruiting in order to compete in the region again. Despite playing with only 7 people last season, the Eagles played competitive matches with each team in the region. With a good recruiting class, GSU could be one of many teams in contention for the South Dodgeball Cup.
Georgia Southern’s Projected Overtime 6
- Mason Wade (C)
- Amari Hines
- Marcus Forbes (C)
- Knox Henderson
- Aston Rumsey
- Teree Woodard (C)
Georgia
Coming up on their debut season, the Georgia Bulldogs already have much to look forward to. In addition to being formed by former UNG player Quinn Richardson, UGA also has former UNG players Julia Mahoney and Jonah Crick suiting up for the bulldogs as they also transfer from North Georgia. Experienced leadership, a wide pool from which to recruit, and nearby competition will enable Georgia to enter the league with a better team than most in their first year.