Courtesy: SWAC.org
Phil Steele's College Football Preview has listed All-Southwestern Conference players, Isaiah Crowell (Alabama State), Qua Cox (Jackson State), Robert Simpson (Mississippi Valley State) and Bobby Wenzig (Alabama State) among its 2013 FCS Preseason Top 100.
Crowell was listed No. 28 followed by Cox at No. 3. Simpson was ranked No. 59 with Wenzig handed a No. 97 ranking. Wenzig was one of two kick specialist ranked in the Top 100.
All four student-athletes were selected to the 2013 All-SWAC Preseason Teams after receiving All-SWAC honors in 2012.
Crowell (5-11 190 Jr. Columbus, Ga.), the 2012 SWAC Newcomer of the Year, is among the 29 running backs named to the CFPA Watch List. He ranked third in the SWAC last season in rushing (842) yards and led the league in touchdowns (15). Crowell posted four 100-yard rushing games and was a three-time winner of the SWAC Newcomer of the Week Award.
philsteele.com on Crowell
28. The Georgia transfer and former blue chip recruit showed up out of shape but really came on late in 2012. He was a first-team All-SWAC selection and the SWAC Newcomer of the Year with 842 yards and 15 touchdowns. Hes another player who is rumored to declare early with a big season, which is no surprise considering the fact he is a SEC talent in the SWAC.
Cox, Simpson and Wenzig were ranked after being selected to Phil Steele's 2013 Preseason All-America Team. The three players continue to garner preseason recognition after joining the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) 2013 FCS Watch List, and The Sports Network FCS All-America Team.
Cox (6-0 185 R-Sr. Tuskegee, Ala.) was named the SWAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and was placed on the Buck Buchanan watch for the 2013 preseason.
Last year, Cox led the SWAC with five interceptions while leading JSU (7-5, 7-2 SWAC) in the category for a consecutive season. He played in all 12 games to help carry the Tigers to the SWAC Football Championship game and an East Division title. Cox headlined the JSU defensive backs with eight pass break-ups, 13 passes defended and two sacks.
He closed the year with 50 tackles (36 solo) including five for a loss on a defensive unit that led the league in sacks with 43. He was named to the All-SWAC First Team at the end of 2012 after receiving defensive player of the week honors in October.
philsteele.com on Cox
33. Cox is among the best corners in all of FCS and the 60, 185 pounder has next level potential. He had 50 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks last year to earn first-team All-SWAC honors. He was a second-team pick in 2011 with 12 passes defended as well.
Last season, Simpson (6-4 255 Sr. Gulfport, Miss.) finished atop the SWAC in tackles for loss with 22.5, finishing second in FCS. His play on the field placed him on this year's Buck Buchanan watch and a member of the All-SWAC Preseason Team.
In 2012, He finished fourth in the SWAC in sacks with seven while recording two fumbles and 59 tackles (29 solo). At the end of the year, he was named to the All-SWAC First Team defense at the defensive tackle position.
He helped lead MVSU (5-6, 5-4 SWAC) to its best record since 2006. The Delta Devils defense ranked fourth in the nation and second in tackles for loss (98). The unit led the SWAC in total defense, rushing defense, interceptions, opponent third down conversions and first downs.
philsteele.com on Simpson
59. Simpson looks bigger than his listed 255 pounds but still has room to fill out and could be even tougher with added strength. He showed his athleticism last year with 29 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, and he returned a fumble for a touchdown. The MVSU star was a third team All-American and first-team All-SWAC pick last year.
Wenzig (6-2 180 Sr. San Diego, Calif.) was named to the All-SWAC Preseason First Team as a punter and kicker. He averaged a league best with 45.6 yards per punt.
He was also named to the All-SWAC First Team as a punter after winning the SWAC Specialist of the Week award on six occasions. His postseason accolades include BoxtoRow, Academic, SBN Sports Black College and FCS All-America honors.
Last year, Wenzig finished second on the team in scoring with 62 points. He connected 38-of-42 PATs and finished 8-for-14 on field goal attempts. He made a season-long 46-yard attempt against Alabama A&M in the State Farm Magic City Classic.
He averaged more than 61 yards per kickoff, resulting in 14 touchbacks, helping the Hornets limit opponents to only 19 yards per kick return. He was tagged by the CFPA last month as a place kicker and punter on its FCS preseason watch list.
philsteele.com on Wenzig
97. There is no doubt he is the best punter in all of FCS. Wenzig was an AFCA All-American last year and earned All-SWAC honors for the second straight season. He averaged 45.6 per punt with a 67 long on 61 punts. He booted 16 touchbacks with 8 fair catches and 24 inside the 20. He also averaged 61.6 on kickoffs with 14 touchbacks and was 38 of 42 on extra point attempts with 57.1% on field goals.
Posted By: How May I Help You NC
Tuesday, July 23rd 2013 at 2:54PM
You can also
click
here to view all posts by this author...
