Leading up to this week’s annual Southwestern Athletic Conference Media Day, HBCU Sports will forecast our preseason predictions for the upcoming 2015 season.
Defensive Player of The Year – Kourtney Berry – LB – Alabama State
Alabama State linebacker Kourtney Berry has gone from unheralded walk-on to one of the best defensive players in the FCS.
Berry, who had a SWAC leading 128 tackles in 2014, was recently named to the 2015 STATS FCS Preseason All-America Team just a few months after landing on the All-SWAC First Team.
Berry has led the SWAC in total tackles during his first two seasons at Alabama State, including completing a surprising redshirt freshman campaign that saw him record seven sacks and 105 tackles.
Berry anchored a unit that finished second in scoring defense in the SWAC and fourth in total defense last season.
He can pressure the quarterback, stuff the run and impact the passing game. Berry is a complete linebacker and has not even reached his ceiling.
