MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama placed a conference-high 18 players on Phil Steele’s 2014 preseason All-Sun Belt Conference teams, released this week in advance of the college football season.
Steele, a sportswriter and analyst who publishes one of the most widely read preseason college football magazines, selects first- through fourth-team units for each conference.
Jaguars Lead the League
The Jaguars’ 18 selections are the most of any Sun Belt program. Louisiana-Lafayette, which shared last season’s conference championship, placed 15 players. Co-champion Arkansas State, Louisiana-Monroe and Texas State each had 13.
South Alabama had eight players on Steele’s preseason all-conference teams a year ago.
First and Second Team
Four Jaguars earned first-team honors: wide receiver Shavarez Smith, tight end Wes Saxton, offensive guard Melvin Meggs and kicker Aleem Sunanon.
Five more were named to the second team: offensive guard Drew Dearman, offensive tackles Chris May and Ucambre Williams, linebacker Maleki Harris and cornerback Montell Garner.
Third and Fourth Team
Third-team selections were running back Jay Jones, wide receiver Danny Woodson, defensive tackle Jerome McClain, cornerback Qudarius Ford, safety Terrell Brigham and kick returner T.J. Glover.
Wide receiver Marvin Shinn, linebacker Jimmie Gipson and defensive tackle Jesse Kelley were fourth-team picks.
Four of South Alabama’s five projected starting offensive linemen were named to the first or second team. Three members of the secondary and three wide receivers also made the list.
Season Ahead
South Alabama, coached by Joey Jones, opens the 2014 season at Kent State on Sept. 6. The Jaguars play their home opener the following week, Sept. 13, against Mississippi State at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
