Preseason All-SWAC Football team announced

From the Southwestern Athletic Conference:

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- The Southwestern Athletic Conference has released its revised Spring 2021 Preseason All-SWAC Football team with Alabama A&M’s Aqeel Glass being named Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. The preseason team and preseason poll was updated to include only student-athletes and teams scheduled to participate during the spring season.

The preseason team and predicted order of finish was voted on by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors. Student-athletes were selected to the team based upon total number of votes received.

Alabama A&M’s Glass (St. Louis, Mo.) was an All-SWAC second team choice a year ago, playing in all 12 games for the Bulldogs under center while anchoring the top passing attack in the SWAC. He threw for 3,600 yards to lead the league and his 32 touchdowns was second for the conference lead in that category. Glass also now enters the season as an All-SWAC Preseason first team honoree at quarterback.

A total of nine student-athletes were elevated on the team including Alabama State’s Ezra Gray who moved up to the Preseason All-SWAC first team at running back. Southern’s Ladarius Skelton (QB/2^ndteam), Texas Southern’s Dominic Franklin (RB/2^nd team), Alabama A&M’s Gary Quarles (RB/2^nd team), Grambling State’s Kyree Wade-McLeod (OL/2^nd team), and Alabama A&M’s Jonathan Williams (OL/2^ndteam) were all tabbed Preseason All-SWAC second team selections.

Defensively, Alabama State’s Andrew Ogletree (DL/2^nd team) and Grambling State’s Kenan Fontenot (DB/2^nd team) were elevated to the Preseason All-SWAC second team defense. 

Each team in the league was represented on the preseason team with Alabama A&M tallying the most preseason selections with 11 total picks. Prairie View A&M amassed the second most selections (8), followed by Alabama State (7), Southern (7), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (6), Jackson State (4), Texas Southern (3), Grambling State (2), and Mississippi Valley State (1).  

In the revised predicted order of finish, Alabama A&M was picked to finish first in the East division followed by Jackson State, Alabama State, and Mississippi Valley State. AAMU claimed 13 first place votes while also tallying a league leading 83 total points.

In the SWAC West division Southern was picked to finish first as they will seek their third consecutive divisional title. Grambling State was tabbed to finish second followed by Prairie View A&M, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, and Texas Southern. Southern garnered eight place votes while amassing 77 total points.

Spring football conference games are scheduled to start on Friday, Feb 26 as Southern travels to face Alabama State in a game that will be carried live on ESPN3. The season will culminate with the Cricket Wireless SWAC Championship Game. The title game is scheduled to be played on Saturday, May 1 live on ESPNU.

Predicted Order of Finish 

SWAC East

1. Alabama A&M 83 (13)
2. Jackson State 63 (3)
3. Alabama State 61 (2) 
4. Mississippi Valley State 40

SWAC West

1. Southern 77 (8)
2. Grambling State 70 (4)
3. Prairie View A&M 65 (4)
4. Arkansas-Pine Bluff 34 (1)
5. Texas Southern 28 (1)

*First place votes listed in (parentheses)

Alcorn State has elected to opt-out of competing during the spring season 
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year- Aqeel Glass, Alabama A&M

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year- Keonte Hampton, LB, Jackson State

Spring 2021 Preseason All-SWAC Football First Team Offense

Spring 2021 Preseason All-SWAC Football First Team Defense

Spring 2021 Preseason All-SWAC Football First Team Specialist

Spring 2021 Preseason All-SWAC Football Second Team Offense

Spring 2021 Preseason All-SWAC Football Second Team Defense

Spring 2021 Preseason All-SWAC Football Second Team Specialist