MOBILE, Ala. — Three South Alabama football players were named to the preseason All-Sun Belt team announced Monday at the conference’s annual football media day, and the league’s head coaches picked the Jaguars to finish seventh in the eight-team conference.
Tight end Wes Saxton, defensive lineman Alex Page and defensive back Tyrell Pearson were the Jaguars’ selections. The team was chosen by the Sun Belt head coaches and select members of the media.
Page Also on Lombardi Watch List
Page was also named to the watch list for the Rotary Lombardi Award. He was a second-team all-conference pick last season after recording 64 tackles, 11.5 of them for loss. His six sacks set a South Alabama school record.
Pearson Led Team in Interceptions
Pearson finished in the top five in the Sun Belt in both interceptions and passes defended in his first season with the Jaguars. He led the team with four interceptions and 11 pass breakups and was credited with 40 tackles, three for loss. His career-high six tackles came at North Carolina State in South Alabama’s first road game of last season.
Saxton Productive in First Season
Saxton caught 26 passes for 336 yards and a touchdown in his first season on the team, ranking among the Jaguars’ top five in both receptions and receiving yards. Seventeen of his catches came in conference play, including seven for 83 yards against Louisiana-Lafayette in the league finale.
He led South Alabama in receiving against FIU with six catches for 92 yards and had four receptions for 72 yards at N.C. State. His touchdown came in the season finale at Hawaii.
Preseason Poll
South Alabama was picked seventh, behind Texas State and ahead of Georgia State. Both schools are new to the Sun Belt this season. Louisiana-Lafayette and Louisiana-Monroe tied for first with 57 points; Louisiana-Lafayette received four first-place votes and Louisiana-Monroe received two.
- T-1. Louisiana-Lafayette
- T-1. Louisiana-Monroe
- 3. Arkansas State
- 4. Western Kentucky
- 5. Troy
- 6. Texas State
- 7. South Alabama
- 8. Georgia State
The Jaguars, coached by Joey Jones, play their home games at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile.
