BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Samford senior quarterback Michael Hiers was named preseason All-American by Hero Sports when the website released its preseason team Wednesday morning. 
 
This marks Hiers' second preseason All-American nod as he was named to the team by Athlon Sports last month.
 
Hiers was named the Southern Conference Offensive Player of the year in 2022 after leading the Bulldogs to an 11-2 overall record and a perfect 8-0 mark in SoCon play. The 2022 team won the program's first outright SoCon title and reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division I-FCS Playoffs for the first time since 1991.
 
Individually in 2022, Hiers passed for a SoCon-best 3,544 yards and 36 touchdowns to tie Devlin Hodges' single-season school record that he set in 2016. Hiers ranked in the top 10 nationally in completion percentage (76.6%/1st), completions per game (27.15/3rd), passing efficiency (165.2/8th),
passing touchdowns (36/4th), passing yards (3,544/6th), points responsible for (2,234/6th) and points responsible per game (18/7th) for the 2022 season.
 
In addition to his SoCon Offensive Player of the Year honor, Hiers was named second team All-American by Stats Perform and third team by the Associated Press following the 2022 season. He was also a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, which goes to the top offensive player at the FCS level.
 
Looking to defend its SoCon title, Samford opens the 2023 season on Thursday, Aug. 31 at Seibert Stadium against Shorter. Season tickets can be purchased here. 
 
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