MEAC releases 2017 preaseson football team, predicted order of finish

Norfolk, Va. – Howard University running back Anthony Philyaw was selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while South Carolina State linebacker Darius Leonard was selected as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

All votes were submitted by the MEAC’s 11 head football coaches and sports information directors.

A 2016 All-MEAC First teamer, Philyaw was the MEAC’s second-leading rusher last fall with 1,230 yards and nine touchdowns on 222 attempts. Philyaw averaged 123 yards per game and 5.5 yards per carry with his longest run spanning 68 yards. He ranked second in scoring touchdowns (9) and second in all-purpose yardage (144.5 ypg) en route to earning MEAC Player of the Week honors once. Philyaw had the highest single-game rushing output in the MEAC last fall with a 281-yard performance versus Delaware State as he was named STATS FCS Player of the Week. The Los Angeles, Calif. native also had 234 yards versus Monmouth along with four additional 100-yard outings, including 112 yards versus Rutgers of the Big 10 Conference.

Leonard continues South Carolina State’s strong tradition of defensive play as last season’s MEAC Defensive Player of the year honor marked the fourth consecutive season a SC State defender has earned the postseason award. He led the MEAC in tackles last season with 124, 3.5 sacks and two interceptions. The Lake View, S.C. native had 10-plus tackles in seven of SC State’s 11 games highlighted by a 19-tackle performance at College Football Playoff National Champion Clemson on Sept. 17. Leonard also tallied 16 tackles at UCF and 14 tackles at Howard. He was named the Sheridan Broadcast Network Sports Mel Blount Defensive Player of the Year, an AFCA All-American and and the BOXTOROW Willie Davis Defensive Player of the Year Award.

North Carolina Central was picked to defend its MEAC Football Championship as the Eagles topped the league’s annual preseason poll. Voting for the poll is conducted by the MEAC’s 11 head coaches and football sports information directors.

The Eagles received 13 first-place votes to narrowly finish ahead of rival North Carolina A&T State, who finished with 10 first-place votes. South Carolina State was picked to finish third while Bethune-Cookman was picked fourth. Hampton was tabbed to finish fifth followed by Florida A&M, Norfolk State, Morgan State, Howard, Savannah State and Delaware State.

1. North Carolina Central (13)
2. North Carolina A&T State (5)
3. South Carolina State
4. Bethune-Cookman
5. Hampton (1)
6. Florida A&M
7. Norfolk State
8. Morgan State
9. Howard
10. Savannah State
11. Delaware State (1)

Courtesy: MEAC