SWAC Announces 2012 Preseason All-Conference Team

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced the 2012 Preseason All-Conference football team on Monday at the annual Media Day event at the Birmingham Marriott.

Grambling State running back Dawarence Roberts was chosen as the preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while Jackson State defensive lineman Joseph LeBeau was tabbed preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Roberts rushed for 1,102 yards in 2011, averaging 5.5 yards per carry. He scored eight touchdowns and averaged 110.2 yards per game. Meanwhile, Lebeau was ranked in the top 10 in the SWAC in tackles last season with 75, He led the conference in tackles for loss and fourth in FCS with 24.5. He was also 2nd in FSC in Sacks: with 16. In addition to his SWAC preseason laurels, Lebeau is a BSN 2012 Preseason 1st Team All-American, CFPA preseason watch list, In 2011, he was named SWAC Newcomer of the Year.

The preseason All-SWAC teams were selected by the league coaches, Sports Information Directors and selected members of the media.

Preseason All-SWAC 1st-team Offense

QB Deaunte Mason, SR, Alabama A&M
RB Kaderious Lacey, SR, Alabama A&M
RB Dawrence Roberts, Grambling State
WR Rico Richardson, SR, Jackson State
WR Spencer Nelson, SR, Prairie View
TE E.J. Drewery, SR, Jackson State

OL Jamal Johnson-Webb, SR, Alabama A&M

OL Terren Jones, SR, Alabama State
OL Terron Armstead, Arkansas-Pine Bluf
OL Sanford Banks, Grambling State
OL Zion Pyatt, SR, Jackson Stte

Preseason All-SWAC 1st-team Defense

DL Joseph LeBeau, SR, Jackson State
DL Carlton Jones, JR, Alabama State
DL Ryan Love, SR, Prairie View
DL Devon Carter, Grambling State
LB Todd Wilcher, Jackson State
LB Raheem Cardwell, Prairie View
LB Jacarde Carter, Grambling State
DB Kejuan Riley, Alabama State
DB Qua Cox, Jackson State
DB Saeed Lee, Alabama State
DB Vernon Marshall, Alabama A&M

Preseason All-SWAC 1st-team Specialists

PK Chance Wilson, Alabama A&M
P Bobby Wenzig, Alabama State
RET Terrance Lewis, Alcorn State

Preseason All-SWAC 2nd-team Offense

QB Greg Jenkins, SR, Alabama State

RB Arnold Walker, JR, Alcorn State
RB Trey Bateaste, SR, Mississippi Valley State
WR G'Alonzo Milton, SR, Alabama A&M
WR T.C. McWilliams, SR, Alabama State
TE Mike Berry, Southern
OL Clint Marsh, Grambling
OL Stephen Capler, SR, Jackson State
OL Tre Glover, SO, Prairie View
OL Chris Browne, Southern
OL Justin Goodrich, JR, Alabama A&M

Preseason All-SWAC 2nd-team Defense

DL Leployer Franklin, JR, Mississippi Valley St.
DL Johnathan Billups, SR, Jackson State
DL Jarvis Wilson, Prairie View A&M
DL Tim Tillman, Alabama A&M
LB Bill Ross, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
LB Brandon Slater, Alabama State

LB Jer-ryan Harris, Arkansas-Pine Bluff

DB Naquan Smith, Grambling State
DB Virgil Williams, Southern
DB Casey Freeman, Alcorn State
DB Tyree Hollins, Grambling State

Preseason All-SWAC 2nd-team Specialists

PK Carlos Sanchez, Mississippi Valley State

P Fabian Carter, Grambling State

RET B.J. Lee, Jackson State

SWAC Predicted Order of Finish (1st-place votes)

Western Division

1.         Grambling State (20) 119 points

2.         Prairie View A&M (1) 82 points

3.         Arkansas-Pine Bluff (2) 69 points

4.         Southern (2) 54 points

5.         Texas Southern 51 points

Eastern Division

1.         Alabama State (11) 108 points

2.         Jackson State (7) 95 points

3.         Alabama A&M (7) 94 points

4.         Alcorn State (1) 42 points

5.         Mississippi Valley 36 points

COURTESY SWAC.ORG