BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its 2019 All-SWAC Preseason teams and Predicted Order of Finish on Tuesday with Alcorn State and Southern tabbed to finish in first place in the Eastern and Western divisions respectively in a vote conducted by the leagues’ Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors.
Alcorn State led all SWAC programs with a total of 14 selections on the All-SWAC Preseason First and Second teams. Prairie View A&M came in second in the number of Preseason All-Conference selections with a total of eight student-athletes.
Alcorn State’s Noah Johnson was named the 2019 SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year after an impressive 2018 campaign in which he led the Braves to a SWAC Championship title and a Celebration Bowl appearance. In three seasons, Johnson ranks eighth all-time in school history in touchdown passes (30), ninth in passing yards (4,018) and 10th in rushing yards (1,867).
In 2018, he threw for 2,207 yards and 15 touchdowns and rushed for 1,080 yards and 11 touchdowns. Johnson ranked third in the nation in rushing yards per carry (7.5) and 16th in completion percentage (.621).
Soloman Muhammad also from Alcorn State, was tabbed the leagues’ 2019 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year after also being named a 2018 HBCU All-American and a 2018 SWAC All-Conference First-Team honoree.
He finished second on the team in tackles with 64 despite missing two games. He also wrapped up 4.0 sacks and 9.0 tackles for a loss. It came after a breakout year in 2017 where he notched 52 tackles in just seven games including 6.5 tackles for a loss, 2.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception.
Alabama A&M, Jackson State, Alabama State, and Mississippi Valley State round out the predicted order of finish in the SWAC’s Eastern Division.
In the SWAC’s Western Division, Prairie View A&M, Grambling State, Texas Southern, and Arkansas-Pine Bluff were tabbed to finish in second, third, fourth, and fifth place respectively.
A complete listing of the 2019 Preseason All-SWAC Football team can be found below.
2019 Preseason All-SWAC Football Teams
SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year – Noah Johnson (Alcorn State)
SWAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year – Soloman Muhammad (Alcorn State)
| Preseason First Team | ||
| Offense | ||
| QB | Noah Johnson | Alcorn State |
| RB | Taeyler Porter | Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
| RB | De’Shawn Waller | Alcorn State |
| OL | DeJohn Jones | Prairie View A&M |
| OL | Deonte Brroks | Alcorn State |
| OL | Mustaffa Ibrahim | Alcorn State |
| OL | Jodeci Harris | Southern |
| OL | Kevin Hall | Alcorn State |
| WR | Tristan Wallace | Prairie View A&M |
| WR | DeJuan Miller | Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
| TE | Kendric Johnson | Alabama A&M |
| Defense | ||
| DL | Jordan Lewis | Southern |
| DL | Christian Clark | Alabama State |
| DL | Jalen Steward | Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
| DL | Anferenee Mullins | Grambling State |
| LB | Darron Johnson | Alabama State |
| LB | Armoni Holloway | Alabama A&M |
| LB | Solomon Muhammad | Alcorn State |
| DB | Javen Morrison | Alcorn State |
| DB | Qwynnterrio Cole | Alcorn State |
| DB | Joseph McWilliams | Grambling State |
| DB | Ju’Anthony Parker | Prairie View A&M |
| Special Teams | ||
| K | Corey McCullough | Alcorn State |
| P | Anthony Craven | Alabama State |
| RS | Ezra Gray | Alabama State |
| Preseason Second Team | ||
| Offense | ||
| QB | Aqeel Glass | Alabama A&M |
| RB | Dawonya Tucker | Prairie View A&M |
| RB | Devon Benn | Southern |
| OL | Christian Rice | Prairie View A&M |
| OL | Danny Garza | Prairie View A&M |
| OL | William Waddell | Grambling State |
| OL | Shonye Reams | Alabama A&M |
| OL | Jaylon Brinson | Southern |
| WR | Tren’Davian Dixon | Texas Southern |
| WR | Brian Jenkins | Alabama A&M |
| TE | Jeremias Houston | Southern |
| Defense | ||
| DL | Ron Collins | Prairie View A&M |
| DL | Darrell Henderson | Alcorn State |
| DL | Theron Bonds | Alcorn State |
| DL | Khalil Johnson | Jackson State |
| LB | Brelion Hollis | Alcorn State |
| LB | Julian Marcantel | Texas Southern |
| LB | Keonte Hampton | Jackson State |
| DB | Daquarian Fields | Grambling State |
| DB | Joshua Hill | Alabama State |
| DB | Daylon Burks | Alcorn State |
| DB | Montavious Gaines | Southern |
| Special Teams | ||
| K | Zack Elder | Prairie View A&M |
| P | Corey McCullough | Alcorn State |
| RS | Tyrin Ralph | Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
Predicted Order of Finish
Eastern Division
Alcorn State (92)
Alabama A&M (70)
Jackson State (61)
Alabama State (47)
Mississippi Valley State (30)
Western Division
Southern (90)
Prairie View A&M (78)
Grambling State (74)
Texas Southern (34)
Arkansas-Pine Bluff (24)
Courtesy: SWAC
