July 26, 2010
SPARTANBURG, S.C. -
Samford senior linebacker Bryce Smith was named the Southern Conference's Preseason Defensive Player of the Year when the league's football coaches released their Preseason All-Conference team and poll on Monday.
Elon senior quarterback Scott Riddle was named the league's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Samford had a total of seven players on the Preseason All-Conference teams, the second most in the league, behind only Appalachian State with 14 total selections.
Joining Smith on the first team are running back Chris Evans, offensive lineman Thomas Gray and punter Bob Hooper. Samford's second-team members are wide receiver Riley Hawkins, defensive lineman John Michael Clay and return specialist Richie Fordham.
In addition to the All-Conference teams, the coaches' Preseason Poll was also released. Samford was picked to finish fourth in the nine-team league. Appalachian State was picked to win its sixth-straight SoCon championship.
Behind ASU in the poll are Elon (2nd) and Furman (3rd). Samford was followed in the poll by Chattanooga (5th), Wofford (6th), Georgia Southern (7th), The Citadel (8th) and Western Carolina (9th).
Smith, who was recently named to the watch list for the Buck Buchanan Award, has led Samford in tackles and interceptions in each of the last two seasons. Last season, he led the nation in solo tackles per game, averaging 7.2 per contest. As a junior, Smith led the team with 102 total tackles, despite missing one game due to injury.
He also led the team in interceptions with four, and he ranked third in the SoCon in total tackles per game with an average of 10.2 per contest. Smith was named first-team All-SoCon at the conclusion of his junior season.
Evans, a member of the watch list for the Walter Payton Award, is already Samford's all-time career rushing leader with 3,469 yards in his Samford career. As a junior in 2009, Evans became the first player in Samford history to rush for at least 1,000 yards in three-straight seasons. He ran for 1,152 yards during his junior campaign.
Evans has led the Southern Conference in rushing in both of Samford's seasons in the league. He has also been named first-team All-SoCon in each of the last two seasons. In addition to his rushing numbers, Evans also led the team in receptions in 2009. He caught a team-high 38 passes for 172 yards.
Gray has been a starter on Samford's offensive line since his freshman season in 2007. He has been one of the leaders of the unit that has produced Samford's first three-time 1,000-yard rusher.
After his junior season in 2009, Hooper was named first-team All-Conference by the media and second-team by the coaches after averaging 41.5 yards on 73 punts. He placed 25 kicks inside the opponents' 20-yard line, and he set a Samford record by averaging 54.2 yards on five punts against Chattanooga.
Hawkins, despite missing three games due to injury, led Samford in receiving yards with 638 yards on 34 receptions. He caught four touchdown passes, including a long reception of 69 yards.
Clay had 37 tackles, including 24 solo stops as a junior in 2009. He also had 11 tackles for a loss and he led the team with six sacks. Clay also blocked one kick and forced a fumble during his junior campaign.
Fordham returned nine kickoffs for a team-high average of 22.6 yards per return. He also led the team with 21 punt returns for an average of 8.5 yards per return. Fordham also played as a receiver last season, catching 18 passes for 106 yards and three touchdowns. Fordham also completed two passes for 124 yards and two scores.
The complete Coaches' Preseason All-Conference team and the Preseason Coaches Poll are listed below.
2010 Southern Conference Football Preseason All-Conference Teams
Offensive Player of the Year: Scott Riddle, Sr., QB, Elon
Defensive Player of the Year: Bryce Smith, Sr., LB, Samford
First Team Offense
QB Scott Riddle, Sr., Elon
RB Devon Moore, Sr., Appalachian State
RB Chris Evans, Sr., Samford
OL Brett Irvin, Sr., Appalachian State
OL Pat Mills, Sr., Appalachian State
OL Thomas Gray, Sr., Samford
OL Chris Harr, Sr., Chattanooga
OL Pat Illig, Sr., Wofford
TE Ben Jorden, Jr., Appalachian State
WR Adam Mims, Sr., Furman
WR Brian Quick, Jr., Appalachian State
First Team Defense
DL Jabari Fletcher, Sr., Appalachian State
DL Lanston Tanyi, Jr., Appalachian State
DL Brandon Ward, Sr., Elon
DL Brent Russell, So., Georgia Southern
LB D.J. Smith, Sr., Appalachian State
LB Bryce Smith, Sr., Samford
LB Kadarron Anderson, Jr., Furman
DB Mark LeGree, Sr., Appalachian State
DB Cortez Allen, Sr., The Citadel
DB Buster Skrine, Sr., Chattanooga
DB Mitchell Bell, Sr., Western Carolina
First Team Specialists
PK Jason Vitaris, Sr., Appalachian State
P Bob Hooper, Sr., Samford
RS Adam Mims, Sr., Furman
Second Team Offense
QB B.J. Coleman, Jr., Chattanooga
RB Tersoo Uhaa, Jr., Furman
RB Mike Rucker, Sr., Wofford
OL Daniel Kilgore, Sr., Appalachian State
OL Clark Bishop, Sr., Wofford
OL Matt Ruff, Jr., Appalachian State
OL Rodney Austin, Jr., Elon
OL Ryan Lee, Jr., Furman
TE Alex Sellars, Sr., The Citadel
WR Riley Hawkins, Jr. Samford
WR Marquell Pittman, Sr., Western Carolina
Second Team Defense
DL Jordan Gibson, Sr., Elon
DL John Michael Clay, Jr., Samford
DL Josh Williams, So., Chattanooga
DL (tie) Ameet Pall, Jr., Wofford
DL (tie) Eric Eberhardt, Jr., Wofford
LB Joshua Jones, Jr., Elon
LB Ryan Consiglio, Jr., Chattanooga
LB Mike Niam, Jr., Wofford
DB Terrell Wilson , Sr., Elon
DB Max Lerner, Sr., Furman
DB Ed Gainey, Jr., Appalachian State
DB Laron Scott, Jr., Georgia Southern
Second Team Specialists
PK Blake Bostic, Sr., Western Carolina
P Mike Hammons, Jr., Chattanooga
RS Richie Fordham, Jr., Samford
NOTE: Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own players.
2010 SoCon Football Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Appalachian State (7) 63
2. Elon (2) 58
3. Furman 41
4. Samford 39
5. Chattanooga 37
6. Wofford 36
7. Georgia Southern 25
8. The Citadel 14
9. Western Carolina 11
NOTE: Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own team
