Tuskegee predicted to win SIAC West, Thomas named Preseason Player of the Year

ATLANTA, Georgia -- Linebacker Davoris Thomas has been selected as the 2018 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, and the Golden Tigers were picked to win the west division of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). The announcement was released Tuesday morning during the annual media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta (Ga.). For the third consecutive preseason, a Golden Tiger (2016 Julian Morgan, 2017 Osband Thompson, 2018 Davoris Thomas) has been tabbed with the defensive player of the year honor and the third time in four years (2015, 2017 and 2018) TU has been voted on as the favorite to win its division. 

Thomas, a junior from Spanish Fort, Ala., finished the 2017 season with 80 tackles (44 solo, 36 assist), which included six tackles for loss, three sacks, a pass breakup, and four quarterback hurries. In conference, Thomas managed 7.2 tackles per game, which placed him 13th in the league. A three-year letter winner, Thomas was named MVP of last year's 5th Quarter Classic against FCS Div I opponent, Jackson State.

In addition to Thomas, the Golden Tigers had a league-best seven players earn first team honors, including, Jamarcus Ezell (QB), Javarrius Cheatham (WR), Lowell Richardson (OL), Terrance Leatherwood (DE), Darnell Hill (DB) and Dalton Hall (K). 

The second team is highlighted by Rochelin Romain (OL), Kali James (DL), and Kevin Dawson (LB)

The defending SIAC Champions open the 2018 season in Montgomery, (Ala.) in Labor Day Classic against Alabama State.

Football Preseason Rankings by Division

East Division

1. Albany State (7)

2. Benedict (2)

3. Fort Valley State (1)

4. Morehouse

5. Clark Atlanta

West Division

1. Tuskegee (6)

2. Miles (3)

3. Kentucky State (1)

4. Central State

5. Lane

*First place votes in parenthesis.

TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS