Football | 7/16/2019 10:31:00 AM

Braves Favorites to Win SWAC East Division; Johnson, Muhammad Named Preseason Players of the Year

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The five-time defending SWAC East Division champions were projected to win it again in the 2019 SWAC Preseason Poll. Senior quarterback Noah Johnson was tabbed the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while senior linebacker Solomon Muhammad was voted the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
 
Additionally, the Braves earned a whopping 14 selections on the Preseason All-Conference Teams, including nine on the First-Team.
 
The announcements were made Tuesday at the 2019 SWAC Football Media Day at The Westin Birmingham.
 
Representing the Braves on the First-Team were Johnson, Muhammad, senior running back De'Shawn Waller, senior offensive linemen Deonte Brooks, Kevin Hall and Mustaffa Ibrahim, senior defensive back Javen Morrison, junior defensive back Qwynnterrio Cole and senior kicker Corey McCullough.
 
McCullough was also on the Second-Team as a punter. He was joined on the Second-Team by senior defensive linemen Theron Bonds and Darrell Henderson, senior linebacker Brelion Hollis and senior defensive back Daylon Burks.
 
Johnson, from Tampa, Florida, is a Preseason All-America Third-Team selection. Last year, he won SWAC Offensive Player of the Year, SWAC Championship Offensive MVP and All-Conference First-Team Honors. He was also one of four finalists for the HBCU Player of the Year Award, one of four finalists for the C Spire Conerly Trophy honor (best player in the state of Mississippi) and one of 25 finalists for the Walter Payton Award (best player in FCS).
 
Johnson threw for 2,207 yards and 15 touchdowns, and rushed for 1,080 yards and 11 touchdowns. He ranked third in the nation in rushing yards per carry (7.5) and 16th in completion percentage (.621). In three seasons, Johnson ranks eighth all-time in school history in touchdown passes (30), ninth in passing yards (4,018) and 10th in rushing yards (1,867).
 
Muhammad is coming off a big year in 2018 where he was named an HBCU All-American and a SWAC All-Conference First-Team selection.
 
Muhammad finished second on the team in tackles with 64 despite missing two games. He also wrapped up 4.0 sacks and 9.0 tackles for a loss. Muhammad helped Alcorn lead the nation in sacks per game.
 
The Braves open the season Saturday, Aug. 31 at Southern Miss. They will play their home-opener the following week on Saturday, Sept. 7 when they host Mississippi College at 6 p.m. at Jack Spinks-Marino Casem Stadium.
 
SWAC Preseason Poll
East
1. Alcorn (92)
2. Alabama A&M (70)
3. Jackson State (61)
4. Alabama State (47)
5. Mississippi Valley State (30)
 
West
1. Southern (90)
2. Prairie View A&M (78)
3. Grambling State (74)
4. Texas Southern (34)
5. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (24)
 
Preseason All-Conference
First-Team

Offense
QB	Noah Johnson	Alcorn
RB	Taeyler Porter	Arkansas-Pine Bluff
RB	De'Shawn Waller	Alcorn
OL	DeJohn Jones	Prairie View A&M
OL	Deonte Brooks	Alcorn
OL	Mustaffa Ibrahim	Alcorn
OL	Jodeci Harris	Southern
OL	Kevin Hall	Alcorn
WR	Tristan Wallace	Prairie View A&M
WR	DeJuan Miller	Arkansas-Pine Bluff
TE	Kendric Johnson	Alabama A&M

 

Defense
DL	Jordan Lewis	Southern
DL	Christian Clark	Alabama State
DL	Jalen Steward	Arkansas-Pine Bluff
DL	Anferenee Mullins	Grambling State
LB	Darron Johnson	Alabama State
LB	Armoni Holloway	Alabama A&M
LB	Solomon Muhammad	Alcorn
DB	Javen Morrison	Alcorn
DB	Qwynnterrio Cole	Alcorn
DB	Joseph McWilliams	Grambling State
DB	Ju'Anthony Parker	Prairie View A&M

 

Special Teams
K	Corey McCullough	Alcorn
P	Anthony Craven	Alabama State
RS	Ezra Gray	Alabama State

 
Second-Team

Offense
QB	Aqeel Glass	Alabama A&M
RB	Dawonya Tucker	Prairie View A&M
RB	Devon Benn	Southern
OL	Christian Rice	Prairie View A&M
OL	Danny Garza	Prairie View A&M
OL	William Waddell	Grambling State
OL	Shonye Reams	Alabama A&M
OL	Jaylon Brinson	Southern
WR	Tren'Davian Dixon	Texas Southern
WR	Brian Jenkins	Alabama A&M
TE	Jeremias Houston	Southern

 

Defense
DL	Ron Collins	Prairie View A&M
DL	Darrell Henderson	Alcorn
DL	Theron Bonds	Alcorn
DL	Khalil Johnson	Jackson State
LB	Brelion Hollis	Alcorn
LB	Julian Marcantel	Texas Southern
LB	Keonte Hampton	Jackson State
DB	Daquarian Fields	Grambling State
DB	Joshua Hill	Alabama State
DB	Daylon Burks	Alcorn
DB	Montavious Gaines	Southern

 

Special Teams
K	Zack Elder	Prairie View A&M
P	Corey McCullough	Alcorn
RS	Tyrin Ralph	Arkansas-Pine Bluff

 
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