— Mississippi Valley State, Alabama A&M and Jackson State are ranked nationally in total defense. Mississippi Valley is third yielding only 282.57 YPG, while Alabama A&M is close behind in fourth at 288 YPG. Jackson State is holding opponents to 317.13 YPG and is ranked 18th. Alabama A&M is also ranked third in scoring defense allowing just over 13 points per game.
— In a special article to ESPN.com, writer Donald Hunt highlighted several players from the Southwestern Athletic Conference with NFL potential. He wrote, ‘The following list has some players who could be chosen on draft day or signed as free agents. But any way you cut it, the SWAC has some players to watch this season.’ Click here to read the full article on ESPN.com
SWAC PLAYERS RANKED IN NCAA
RUSHING (TOP 50)
Kaderius Lacey (AAMU) 24th – 99.14 YPG
Isaiah Crowell (ALST) 46th – 79.43 YPG
PASSING YARDS (TOP 50)
Dray Joseph (SU) 49th (T) – 1,400 yards
PASSING YARDS/GAME (TOP 50)
Dray Joseph (SU) 47th (T) – 200.0 yards
RECEIVING YARDS (TOP 50)
Rico Richardson (JSU) 7th – 812 yards
RECEPTIONS/GAME (TOP 30)
Rico Richardson (JSU) 29th (T) – 5.86 RPG
INTERCEPTIONS (TOP 20)
Qua Cox (JSU) 9th (T) – 4 INT
PUNTING (TOP 25)
Bobby Wenzig (ALST) 2nd – 47.67 YPP
Carlos Sanchez (MVSU) 21st – 41.90 YPP
Robert Hersh (TXSO) 29th – 41.30 YPP
PUNT RETURNS (TOP 30)
Virgil Williams (SU) 14th (T) – 10.17 YPR
Andre Mitchell (UAPB) 14th (T) – 41.30
FORCED FUMBLES (TOP 10)
Denzel Cotton (AAMU) 5th (T) – 3 FF – .43 FF/G
SACKS (TOP 10)
Brandon Thurmond (UAPB) 1st – 11
SACKS/GAME (TOP 10)
Brandon Thurmond (UAPB) 1st – 1.36 PG
Anthony Balancier (SU) 22nd (T) – .75 SPG