July 7, 2004

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford senior receiver Efrem Hill was named to the Sports Network's Preseason All-America First Team on Wednesday.

Hill is coming off a season in which he was named a consensus first-team All-American, as well as a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, which goes to the top player in Division I-AA football. Hill was also named the Ohio Valley Conference's Offensive Player of the Year and Male Athlete of the Year.

During the 2003 season, Hill had a breakout year and led the OVC in receptions per game (8.36 rpg.), receiving yards per game (126.1 ypg.), scoring (8.2 ppg.) and scoring by a touchdown (8.2 ppg.). He also led the nation in receiving yards per game and was second in receptions per game. His 1,387 receiving yards ranked third in the nation and are the most in Samford history.

Hill and the Bulldogs will kickoff the 2004 season on Saturday, August 28, when Samford takes on West Alabama. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.