BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference released its 2017 SWAC Preseason Teams Friday. The teams were announced during SWAC Football Media Day at the Birmingham Marriott after ballots were cast by the league's Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors (pictured above l-r: Sean Jones, Michael Haywood, and Jay Christophe).
49 players were named to this year's Preseason teams, with several returning players that earned SWAC All-Conference honors at the conclusion of the 2016 season. Should a player that was named to the first team in the postseason awards not return, the second-team player for that position was elevated to the first team.
Texas Southern linebacker Sean Jones was named as a member of the Preseason All-SWAC First Team. Sean Jones was one of the Texas Southern Tigers top defensive players last season. He ranked 2nd for TSU in tackles and 6th in the SWAC in tackles. He also ranked 15th in the conference in tackles for loss, while ranking 1st on the team.
Overall he was the leader of a defensive unit that ranked 3rd in red zone defense and 8th in turnover margin. TSU also ranked 5th in opponent 3rd down conversions. TSU also boasted a 4th place ranking in pass defense efficiency.
In the predicted order of finish in the SWAC's West Division Champion Grambling State was chosen as the overall favorite after amassing a conference-best 85 points in the voting. Southern was selected second after it received 68 points. Prairie View A&M followed closely in third place with 59 points while Texas Southern (37) and Arkansas Pine Bluff (21) rounded out the order of predicted finish.
In the East Division defending champion Alcorn State totaled 80 points as it was named the preseason favorite to win the East. Alabama State was selected to finish in second with 66 points, Jackson State received 59 points, followed by Alabama A&M (45) and Mississippi Valley State (20).
Courtesy: TSU Athletics
49 players were named to this year's Preseason teams, with several returning players that earned SWAC All-Conference honors at the conclusion of the 2016 season. Should a player that was named to the first team in the postseason awards not return, the second-team player for that position was elevated to the first team.
Texas Southern linebacker Sean Jones was named as a member of the Preseason All-SWAC First Team. Sean Jones was one of the Texas Southern Tigers top defensive players last season. He ranked 2nd for TSU in tackles and 6th in the SWAC in tackles. He also ranked 15th in the conference in tackles for loss, while ranking 1st on the team.
Overall he was the leader of a defensive unit that ranked 3rd in red zone defense and 8th in turnover margin. TSU also ranked 5th in opponent 3rd down conversions. TSU also boasted a 4th place ranking in pass defense efficiency.
In the predicted order of finish in the SWAC's West Division Champion Grambling State was chosen as the overall favorite after amassing a conference-best 85 points in the voting. Southern was selected second after it received 68 points. Prairie View A&M followed closely in third place with 59 points while Texas Southern (37) and Arkansas Pine Bluff (21) rounded out the order of predicted finish.
In the East Division defending champion Alcorn State totaled 80 points as it was named the preseason favorite to win the East. Alabama State was selected to finish in second with 66 points, Jackson State received 59 points, followed by Alabama A&M (45) and Mississippi Valley State (20).
Courtesy: TSU Athletics