Norfolk State Spartan Football Picked 7th in MEAC Preseason Poll

MEAC Preseason Predictions

NORFOLK, Virginia – The Norfolk State football team was predicted to finish seventh in the preseason poll of MEAC head coaches and sports information directors, and seven Spartans were named to the preseason All-MEAC teams as the league held its annual media day and luncheon on Friday.

Senior linebacker Deon King and senior receiver Isaac White were both named to the preseason All-MEAC first team. Senior defensive lineman Shawn Fauntleroy Jr. was voted to the second team, while the quartet of senior defensive lineman Kevin Williams, senior linebacker Lamar Neal, junior safety Brandon Walker and junior kicker Cameron Marouf were all voted to the third team.

North Carolina A&T, one of last season's five MEAC co-champions, was narrowly voted as the favorite to win the conference. The Aggies were followed in the preseason poll by the other four co-champions from last year: South Carolina State was predicted second, Bethune-Cookman third, North Carolina Central fourth and Morgan State fifth. Hampton was tabbed sixth and NSU seventh.

Rounding out the poll in eighth through 11^th places were Florida A&M, Howard, Delaware State and Savannah State, respectively. FAMU, Howard and SSU are ineligible for the MEAC championship this year.

King added to his list of preseason accolades Friday. He has already been named to the STATS FCS Preseason All-America second team and is a member of the STATS Defensive Player of the Year Watch List. King tallied 106 tackles, 18 for loss, and 7.5 sacks as part of the nation's No. 2 ranked defense last season on his way to All-MEAC first-team honors. King also recovered three fumbles, forced two and intercepted a pass.

White was a second-team All-MEAC selection last year, when he led all conference players with 664 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. He made 48 receptions as a junior in 2014.

Fauntleroy has helped plug the middle of the NSU defense from his nose guard position the last three seasons. He is coming off a 2014 season in which he made 33 tackles, two for loss.

Williams started just twice in 12 games last season, but came on strong toward the end of the year. Williams had 19 tackles, 2.5 for loss, with one sack, two pass deflections and a forced fumble. He figures to move into an even larger role this season.

Neal ranked fourth on the team and tied for 16th in the MEAC in tackles, with 85. He made 3.5 tackles for loss and one sack while starting 11 of the Spartans' 12 games at inside linebacker.

Walker started 10 times last season at strong safety and enjoyed a breakout year. Walker made 43 tackles, 3.5 for loss, and broke up eight passes to help the Spartans finish second in the nation (FCS) in pass defense.

Marouf was a third-team All-MEAC selection after last year, when he made 10 of the 15 field goals he attempted. Marouf connected on seven field goals of at least 40 yards in length, including a 51-yarder against Delaware State.

N.C. A&T running back Tarik Cohen was named the MEAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, and South Carolina State defensive lineman Javon Hargrave was voted the MEAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

The Spartan players report for preseason training camp this Thursday before holding their first practice at 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 7. NSU's first two practices (Aug. 7-8) will be held at Norview High School in Norfolk due to the AAU Junior Olympics track and field meet being held on the NSU campus.



Matt Michalec, Asst. AD/Communications
COURTESY NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION