2021 Incarnate Word Cardinals football team

The 2021 Incarnate Word Cardinals football team represented the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) in the 2021 NCAA Division I FCS football season as a member of the Southland Conference. The Cardinals played their home games at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium in San Antonio, Texas. They were led by fourth-year head coach Eric Morris.

On November 12, 2021, Incarnate Word announced that this will be the last season for the team in the Southland and will then join the Western Athletic Conference on July 1, 2022. However, UIW announced they would remain in the Southland in late June and would not join the WAC.

Preseason poll
The Southland Conference released their preseason poll in July 2021. The Cardinals were picked to finish third in the conference. In addition, fifteen Cardinals were chosen to the Preseason All-Southland Team.

Preseason All–Southland Teams
Offense

1st Team
 * Kevin Brown – Running Back, SR
 * Robert Ferrel – Wide Receiver, SR

2nd Team
 * Cameron Ward – Quarterback, SO
 * Caleb Johnson – Offensive Lineman, SR
 * Nash Jones – Offensive Lineman, SO
 * Reid Francis – Offensive Lineman, RS-FR
 * Carson Mohr – Kicker, JR

Defense

1st Team
 * Cameron Preston – Defensive Lineman, SR
 * Kelechi Anyalebechi – Linebacker, SR
 * Ce'Cori Tolds – Kick Returner, SR
 * Robert Ferrel – Punt Returner, SR

2nd Team
 * Blaine Hoover – Defensive Lineman, RS-SR
 * Isaiah Paul – Linebacker, RS-SO
 * Shawn Holton – Defensive Back, JR
 * Elliott Davison – Defensive Back, SO

Coaching staff
Source:

Roster
Source:

Postseason honors
The following Cardinals received postseason honors for the 2021 season:

Associated Press FCS All-American Second–Team WR Taylor Grimes – Junior

Associated Press FCS All-American Third–Team LB Kelechi Anyalebechi – Senior

Stats Perform FCS All-American Second–Team QB Cameron Ward – Sophomore WR Taylor Grimes – Junior

Stats Perform FCS All-American Third–Team LB Kelechi Anyalebechi – Senior

HERO Sports FCS All-American Second–Team WR Taylor Grimes – Junior

Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Year QB Cameron Ward – Sophomore

Southland Conference Coach of the Year Eric Morris

All–Southland Conference First–Team RB Kevin Brown – Graduate Senior WR Taylor Grimes – Junior OL Nash Jones – Sophomore DL Cameron Preston – Senior LB Kelechi Anyalebechi – Senior DB Kaleb Culp – Sophomore PR Robert Ferrel – Senior All–Southland Conference Second–Team QB Cameron Ward – Sophomore WR Robert Ferrel – Senior P Keven Nguyen – Senior DL Brandon Bowen – Graduate Senior LB Isaiah Paul – Sophomore DB Rashon Davis – Graduate Senior All–Southland Conference Third–Team RB Marcus Cooper – Graduate Senior WR Darion Chafin – Senior OL Reid Francis – Junior OL Caleb Johnson – Senior OL Dawson Kier – Senior DL Blaine Hoover – Senior DB Elliott Davison – Sophomore DB Moses Reynolds – Senior DB Brandon Richard – Junior