SPARTANBURG, S.C.— Four Samford players were named to the preseason All-SoCon teams at the league's annual Football Media Day Monday at the Spartanburg Marriott.
Offensive lineman
Nick Nixon and place-kicker
Mitchell Fineran were named to the first team. Defensive linemen
Justin Foster and
Nelson Jordan earned second-team honors.
In addition to the preseason All-SoCon teams, the coaches' media's preseason polls were released. Samford was picked to finish sixth in the league by both the coaches and media. Wofford was picked to win the league in both polls.
Nixon has been a leader of the offensive line throughout his career. He has seen action in 33 games in his career, starting 32. Fineran had an outstanding freshman season as Samford's place-kicker. He made all 50 of his extra-point attempts, and he was 13-of-17 on field goals.
Jordan finished the 2018 season with 33 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks. Foster tallied 28 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks for the Bulldogs a year ago.
At the SoCon Football Media Day, Samford head coach
Chris Hatcher, and seniors Nixon and
Nick Barton, the 2019 Charles Williams Memorial Jersey winner, talked with the media about the upcoming season. Check out the videos below to see what they had to say.
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Tyrie Adams, QB, R-Sr., Western Carolina
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Nasir Player, DL, R-Sr., ETSU
First Team Offense
QB: Tyrie Adams, R-Sr., Western Carolina
RB: Quay Holmes, R-So., ETSU
RB: Tyray Devezin, Jr., Mercer
OL: Bo Layton, R-Jr., Furman
OL: Austin Sanders, R-Sr., Mercer
OL: Nick Nixon, Sr., Samford
OL: Justus Basinger, Sr., Wofford
OL: Michael Ralph, Sr., Wofford
TE: Owen Cosenke, Jr., Western Carolina
WR: Bryce Nunnelly, Jr., Chattanooga
WR: Javeon Lara, Sr., VMI
First Team Defense
DL: Joseph Randolph II, Sr., The Citadel
DL: Jason Maduafokwa, R-Sr., ETSU
DL: Nasir Player, R-Sr., ETSU
DL: Thad Mangum, Sr., Wofford
LB: Willie Eubanks III, Jr., The Citadel
LB: Adrian Hope, R-So., Furman
LB: Marshall Cooper, Sr., Chattanooga
DB: Tyree Robinson, Jr., ETSU
DB: Brandon Dowdell, Jr., Chattanooga
DB: Jerrell Lawson, R-Jr., Chattanooga
DB: A.J. Smith, Jr., VMI
DB: Ronald Kent Jr., So., Western Carolina
First Team Specialists
PK: Grayson Atkins, Jr., Furman
PK: Mitchell Fineran, So., Samford
P: Matthew Campbell, So., The Citadel
RS: David Durden, So., Mercer
Second Team Offense
QB: Reece Udinski, Jr., VMI
RB: Devin Wynn, Jr., Furman
RB: Tyrell Price, Sr., Chattanooga
OL: Haden Haas, R-So., The Citadel
OL: Drew McEntyre, Sr., The Citadel
OL: Ben Blackmon, R-Sr., ETSU
OL: Tre'mond Shorts, R-So., ETSU
OL: Andy Godwin, R-Sr., Furman
OL: Cole Strange, R-Jr., Chattanooga
OL: Blake Jeresaty, Jr., Wofford
TE: Chris Ellington, Sr., Mercer
WR: Thomas Gordon, Sr., Furman
WR: David Durden, So., Mercer
Second Team Defense
DL: Dorian Kithcart, R-Sr., Mercer
DL: Justin Foster, Sr., Samford
DL: Nelson Jordan, So., Samford
DL: Mikel Horton, Jr., Wofford
LB: Elijah McKoy, Jr., Furman
LB: Will Coneway, R-Sr., Mercer
LB; Jireh Wilson, Sr., Wofford
DB: Jeremy Lewis, Sr., ETSU
DB: Malique Fleming, R-Jr., Mercer
DB: Mason Alstatt, Sr., Wofford
DB: George Gbesee, Sr., Wofford
Second Team Specialists
PK: Jacob Godek, Sr., The Citadel
P: Luke Carter, Sr., Wofford
RS: Rohan Martin, Sr., VMI
Preseason polls
Coaches
1. Wofford (7): 63
2. Furman (1): 55
3. ETSU (1): 44
4. Chattanooga: 40
5. Mercer: 34
6. Samford: 33
7. The Citadel: 22
8. Western Carolina: 21
9. VMI: 12
Media
1. Wofford (21): 253
2. Furman (6); 229
3. ETSU (2): 187
4. Mercer: 146
5. Chattanooga: 134
6. Samford: 125
7. The Citadel: 111
8. Western Carolina: 88
9. VMI: 32
