SWAC releases 2019 preseason football honors

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