The Sporting News Preseason Yearbook recently hit newsstands, dishing out preseason All-American and Top 25 predictions, as well as a conference-by-conference breakdown across the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
Jacksonville State senior defensive back T.J. Heath was the only Ohio Valley Conference player selected to the 25-player preseason All-American Team. Heath, an All-American pick by three outlets last season (Associated Press, College Sporting News and Sports Network) led the OVC in passes defended and led the Gamecocks with six interceptions, including returning two for touchdowns against UT Martin early in the season. The junior also led the team with 10 pass break-ups and also forced a fumble and blocked a kick. He recorded 34 total tackles on the season, including 20 solo stops.
The Sporting News also released a preseason Top 25, tabbing the Eastern Kentucky Colonels the 19th best team to begin the season. EKU was 5-3 in the OVC a season ago.
In a breakdown of the league, the Sporting News tabbed EKU the team to beat in the league this year. Eastern Kentucky was predicted first followed by Eastern Illinois, Jacksonville State, UT Martin, Tennessee Tech, Tennessee State, Murray State, Austin Peay and Southeast Missouri.
The article, written by the Louisville Courier-Journal's Michael Grant, picked Eastern Illinois running back Mon Williams as the top offensive player in the league and Heath the top defensive player in the conference.
The Oct. 9 game between Eastern Illinois and Eastern Kentucky in Richmond was tabbed the "Game to Watch" in the league for 2010.
The OVC will announce its official predicted order of finish preseason poll and Preseason All-OVC teams on Monday, July 26 as part of its annual Media Day festivities.
Courtesy: Steve Latham
