July 9, 2010

Phil Steele's Preseason All-America Team

Phil Steele's Preseason All-SoCon Team

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Phil Steele's College Football Preview magazine has named Samford seniors Bryce Smith and Chris Evans to its preseason All-America teams, released recently on the publication's website.

Smith, the team's starting middle linebacker, was named to the second team All-America defense, while running back Evans was named to the third team All-America offense by the publication.

Smith has led Samford in tackles 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 as a junior and second-team All-SoCon after his sophomore season.

Evans is already Samford's all-time career rushing leader with 3,469 yards in his Samford career. He has rushed for at least 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons, including a school-record 1,284 yards as a sophomore in 2008.

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, and he was named to the preseason watch list for the 2009 Walter Payton Award, which goes to the top offensive player in all of FCS football.

The publication also named an All-SoCon team for the preseason, with Smith and Evans both being named to the first team. The dup was joined on the All-Conference teams by Patrick Hatcher (first team defense), Thomas Gray (second team offense), Bob Hooper (first team punter) and Richie Fordham (second team return specialist).

Hatcher, who was named first team All-SoCon as a sophomore in 2008, had 20 tackles, including 3.5 sacks in his junior season. Gray, who was named All-SoCon last season, is one of the leaders of Samford's offensive line at left tackle.

Hooper was also named All-SoCon as a junior in 2009. He averaged 41.5 yards on 73 punts last season, placing 25 kicks inside the opponents' 20-yard line. Fordham returned nine kickoffs for a 22.6-yard average, and he had 21 punt returns, averaging 8.5 yards per return.

The Bulldogs will open the 2010 season on Sept. 4, when they travel to Tallahassee, Fla., to take on the Florida State Seminoles. The game, which will be televised live on ESPNU, is scheduled for an 11 a.m. (CT) kickoff from FSU's Doak Campbell Stadium.