Alabama State well represented on SWAC preseason teams; linebacker Kourtney Berry selected as defensive player of year

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its preseason team selections at today's Media Day in Birmingham, with Alabama State linebacker Kourtney Berry headlining the list as Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Former walk-on Berry was arguably the biggest surprise from last year's SWAC season. He finished his redshirt freshman season with seven sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, one interception and a team-leading 105 tackles that was also second in the league.

The Merrillville, Ind. native was named last season's SWAC Newcomer of the Year and earned First-Team All-SWAC honors.

Named alongside Berry was Arkansas-Pine Bluff quarterback Ben Anderson as Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. He finished the 2013 season second in the league in passing with 2,787 yards and scored 19 touchdowns.

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