LUT WILLIAMS BCSP Editor
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its 2021 Preseason All-SWAC Football selections and Predicted Order of Finish on Tuesday during the league’s media day. The preseason all-conference teams, individual award winners, and predicted order of finish were voted on by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors.
Alabama A&M quarterback Aqeel Glass was named SWAC Football Preseason Player of the Year while Southern defensive end Jordan Lewis was tabbed SWAC Football Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Glass went 67-of-113 for 1,084 yards passing and 13 touchdowns as the Bulldogs won the league title in the spring. Lewis led the SWAC in sacks with 10.5 for 73 yards and tackles for loss with 15.0 for 82 yards en route to winning the FCS Buck Buchanan Award as the best defender in the nation.
The league’s 2021 Predicted Order of Finish has Alabama A&M tabbed to win the SWAC Eastern Division tallying a total of 122 points. Florida A&M (109) was picked to finish second followed by Jackson State (80), Alabama State (76), Bethune-Cookman (71), and Mississippi Valley State (25).
Alcorn State (128) was picked to finish in first place in what will be the Braves debut season in the SWAC Western Division. Southern (108) was projected to finish in second place followed by Grambling State (85), Prairie View A&M (78), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (68) and Texas Southern (37).
Eastern Division
Alabama A&M (122); Florida A&M (109); Jackson State (80; Alabama State (76); Bethune-Cookman (71); Mississippi Valley State (25)
Western Division
Alcorn State (128); Southern (108); Grambling State (85); Prairie View A&M (78); Arkansas-Pine Bluff (68; Texas Southern (37)
All-SWAC OFFENSE
QB-Aqeel Glass, AA&M; RB-Ezra Gray, ALS; Jarod Sims, SU; OL-Mark Evans II, UAPB; Brian Williams, SU; Dallas Black, SU; Ja’Tyre Carte, SU; Johnathan Bishop, SU; WR-Abdul-Fatai Ibrahim, AA&M; Josh Wilkes, UAPB; TE-Ethan Howard, SU
DEFENSE
DL- Jordan Lewis, SU; Christian Clark, ALS; Jalen Ivy, SU; Andrew Ogletree, ALS: LB- Keonte Hampton, JSU; Aubrey Miller, JSU; Kolby Watts, UAPB; DB-Jalon Thigpen, UAPB; Irshaad Davis, ALS; Chase Foster, SU; Caleb Brunson, MVSU
SPECIALSTS
PK-Spencer Corey, AA&M; Aubrey Grace, AAM; RS-Tyrin Ralph, UAPB