ALISO VIEJO, Calif. — OUAZ will begin the 2026-27 men's golf season ranked No. 7 nationally, while Embry-Riddle received votes in the NAIA Men's Golf Coaches' Top 25 Preseason Rating released Friday.

The No. 7 ranking extends OUAZ's streak to 40 consecutive appearances in the NAIA Top 25. The Spirit have been ranked in every poll dating to Aug. 23, 2019, with the current streak accounting for all 40 of the program's all-time ranked appearances.

OUAZ has climbed as high as No. 2 during its seven-year run in the national rankings, reaching that position March 31, 2023. The Spirit have remained in the Top 25 in every rating since making their first appearance in 2019.

The Spirit enter 2026-27 with another deep roster and significant competition expected throughout the lineup. More than 10 players return, led by All-GSAC selection Liam Toole and Corley McLernon, while a large group of newcomers is expected to compete immediately for lineup positions.

Embry-Riddle received votes in the preseason rating. The Eagles have appeared in the NAIA Top 25 nine times in program history, with their most recent ranked appearance coming during the 2021-22 season.

Keiser (Fla.) begins the season at No. 1 after spending the final five regular-season ratings of 2025-26 in the top spot and finishing in the top 10 at the NAIA National Championship. The Seahawks received 13 of 18 first-place votes.

Friends (Kan.) opens at No. 2 after receiving four first-place votes, followed by Dalton State (Ga.) at No. 3 and Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) at No. 4. Reinhardt (Ga.) and Webber International (Fla.) are tied for No. 5, with Reinhardt receiving the remaining first-place vote.

The preseason rating is the first of seven scheduled NAIA men's golf ratings in 2026-27. Two additional fall ratings are scheduled for Oct. 16 and Oct. 30 before the spring ratings begin March 25. The final rating is scheduled for May 6 ahead of the 2027 NAIA Men's Golf National Championship in Fayetteville, Georgia.