By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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SouthernPigskin.com Southern Conference writer Josh Buchanan makes his predictions for this fall in the SoCon.

By Josh Buchanan
SouthernPigskin.com SoCon Writer

SouthernPigskin.com Southern Conference writer Josh Buchanan makes his predictions for this fall in the SoCon.

Can the Mountaineers fend off Elon, The Citadel, Wofford, Georgia Southern, Furman and the rest of the Southern Conference for the 2008 league championship?  That will be the biggest storyline entering this fall as Appalachian State tries to win its fourth straight SoCon and FCS National Championship.

We will examine each team and the conference by looking at personnel, returning starters, all-socon teams, players of the year contenders, a predicted order of finish and more.

APPALACHIAN STATE

RETURNING STARTERS
Offense: 5
Defense: 7
Special Teams: 2
Total: 14

KEY RETURNEES: QB Armanti Edwards, Jr.; RB Devon Moore, Jr.; WR James Hill, Sr.; WR TJ Courman, Sr.; WR Tavaris Washington, Jr.; WR/RS CoCo Hillary, Soph.; WR Brian Quick, Fr.; WR Josh Johnson, Jr.; OT Brad Coley, Sr.; OT Jonathan Bieschke, Sr.; OG Daniel Kilgore, Soph.; OG Mario Acitelli, Jr.; C Brett Irvin, Soph.; DE Tony Robertson, Jr.; DT Anthony Williams, Jr.; DT Gordy Whitte, Fr.; DT Daniel Finnerty, Jr.; LB Pierre Banks, Sr.; LB DJ Smith, Soph.; LB Jacque Roman, Jr.; CB Cortez Gilbert, Jr.; CB Jared Reine, Soph.; S Leonard Love, Sr., S Mark LeGree, Soph.; P Neil Young, Sr.

KEY LOSSES: QB Trey Elder RB Kevin Richardson, WR Dexter Jackson, WR Hans Batichon, TE Nic Cardwell, OG Kerry Brown, OG John Holt, C Scott Suttle, DE Gary Tharrington (academics); CB Jerome Touchstone, CB Justin Woazeah, FS Corey Lynch, SS Titus Howard, K Julian Rauch, , LS Russell Wilson

KEY NEWCOMERS: RB Rod Chisholm (HS), RB Devin Radford (Virginia Tech), TE Jordan Gary (HS), DE Quavian Lewis (Vanderbilt), DE Lanston Tanyi (HS), DT Malcolm Bennett (JUCO), LB Terrence McLean (HS), CB Ed Gainey (HS), CB Ingram Bell (HS), S Justin Lloyd (HS), and S DeMorris Brooks (JUCO).

HONORS CANDIDATES: QB Armanti Edwards, Jr.; RB Devon Moore, Jr.; WR TJ Courman, Sr.; WR/RS CoCo Hillary, Soph.; OT Brad Coley, Sr.; OG Mario Acitelli, Jr.; DE Tony Robertson, Jr.; DT Anthony Williams, Jr.; DT Malcolm Bennett, Jr.; LB Pierre Banks, Sr.; LB DJ Smith, Soph.; LB Jacque Roman, Jr.; CB Cortez Gilbert, Jr.; S Leonard Love, Sr.

TOP 5 PLAYERS
1. QB Armanti Edwards, Jr.
2. LB Pierre Banks, Sr.
3. LB DJ Smith, Soph.
4. WR/RS CoCo Hillary, Soph.
5. DT Malcom Bennett, Jr.

CHATTANOOGA

RETURNING STARTERS
Offense: 6
Defense: 3
Special Teams: 2
Total: 11

KEY RETURNEES: QB Tony Pastore, Jr.; RB Bryan Fitzgerald, Sr.; RB Erroll Wynn, Jr.; FB Brent Hayes, Sr.; WR Blue Cooper, Jr.; WR Clint Woods, Jr.; TE Joseph Pittman, Sr.; OG/OT William Giles, Sr.; C Brian Heflin, Sr.; DE Neil Brown, Sr.; DE Jaron Norfleet, Soph.; DT Rodney Beamon, Sr.; LB Joseph Thornton, Jr.; LB Aaron Adams, Sr.; LB Edward Sawyer, Jr.; CB Buster Skrine, Soph.; S Tony Swafford, Jr.; K Craig Camay, Jr..; PR Jordan Hazard, Jr.

KEY LOSSES: QB Antonio Miller, OT Brandon Bellamy, OT Sam Bentley, OG Joe Hudgins, C Garrett Windham, DE Jason Vincent, DT Charles Profit, LB Chris Johnson, LB Steven Mills, CB Brandon Golder, CB Ronnie Jackson, S Chris Camacho, S Jeff Phillips, P Jonathan Wright.

KEY NEWCOMERS: QB Jare Gault (JUCO); WR Justin Buckhalter (JUCO); TE Patrick Wilkinson (JUCO); DT Nick Craig (HS); LB Dough Faatiliga (JUCO); OLB Josh Beard (JUCO); CB Raeshon Ball, Sr. (Medical redshirt in ’07);

HONORS CANDIDATES: RB Bryan Fitzgerald, Sr.; WR Blue Cooper, Jr.; OG/OT William Giles, Sr.; DT Neil Brown, Sr.; DT Rodney Beamon, Sr.; LB Joseph Thornton, Jr.; CB Raeshon Ball, Sr.; CB Buster Skrine, Soph.; K Craig Camay, Jr..; PR Jordan Hazard, Jr.

TOP 5 PLAYERS
1. LB Joseph Thornton, Jr.
2. OT William Giles, Sr.
3. DT Neil Brown, Sr.
4. RB Bryan Fitzgerald, Sr.
5. WR Blue Cooper, Jr.

THE CITADEL

RETURNING STARTERS
Offense: 6
Defense: 8
Special Teams: 2
Total: 16

KEY RETURNEES: QB Bart Blanchard, Soph.; RB Cody Wilson, Soph.; WR Andre Roberts, Jr.; WR Joshua Haney, Sr.; WR Scott Flanagan, Sr.; TE Taylor Cornett, Sr.; OT Daniel DeHaven, Jr.; OT David Morbitzer, Sr.; OG Cory Pope, Soph.; C Clay Muirhead, Sr.; DE Dewitt Jones, Jr.; DE Kevin McCaskill, Sr.; DT Terrence Reese, Jr.; LB Reggie Rice, Soph.; LB Jordon Gilmore, Jr.; CB Ryan Jones, Jr.; CB Cortez Allen, Soph.; S Dwight House, Sr.; S Mel Capers, Soph.; S Jonathan Vest, Sr.; P Mark Kaspar, Sr.

KEY LOSSES: QB Duran Lawson; RB Tory Cooper; WR Ta’mar Jernigan; WR Tim Higgins; C Chris McDowell; LB Andrew Rowell, LB Kendrick Lyles; FS Joshua Lawson.

KEY NEWCOMERS: QB Miguel Starks (HS), RB Asheton Jordan (HS), RB John Shaw (Northern Iowa), WR Kevin Hardy (HS), WR Luke Caldwell (HS), OL Nate Gerber (HS), DE Chris Billingslea (HS)

HONORS CANDIDATES: QB Bart Blanchard, Soph.; WR Andre Roberts, Jr.; TE Taylor Cornett, Sr.; OT Daniel DeHaven, Jr.; OT David Morbitzer, Sr.; C Clay Muirhead, Sr.; DE Kevin McCaskill, Sr.; DT Terrence Reese, Jr.; CB Ryan Jones, Jr.; SS Dwight House, Sr.; P Mark Kaspar, Sr.

TOP 5 PLAYERS
1. WR Andre Roberts, Jr.
2. DT Terrence Reese, Jr.
3. QB Bart Blanchard, Soph.
4. OT Daniel DeHaven, Jr.
5. DE Kevin McCaskill, Sr.

ELON

RETURNING STARTERS
Offense: 8
Defense: 9
Special Teams: 4
Total: 21

KEY RETURNEES: QB Scott Riddle, Soph.; QB Donny Kirby, Soph.; RB Brandon Newsome, Soph.; RB Dontay Taylor, Soph.; FB Tim Applegate, Sr.; WR Terrell Hudgins, Jr.; WR Bo Williamson, Sr.; WR Sean Jeffcoat, Soph; TE Matt Leddy, Jr.; OT Chris Werden, Jr.; OT Corey O’Shea, Jr.; OG David Harrison, Jr.; C Dave McClain, Jr.; C Jeff Allen, Jr.; DE Tim Happer, Sr.; DE Jordan Gibson, Soph.; DT David Hunt, Soph.; DT Eric Ludwig, Jr.; LB Corey Weaver, Sr.; LB Brandon Wiggins, Soph.; LB Lionel Shoffner, Soph.; Joshua Jones, Fr.; CB/RS Karlos Sullivan, Jr.; S Cameron McGlenn, Jr.; S Nolan Ward, Jr.; S Walker White, Jr.; K Andrew Wilcox, Sr.; P Brandon Lane, Sr.

KEY LOSSES: RB T.J. Clegg; WR/RS Michael Mayers; OG Charles Porterfield; LB Tommy Hill; CB Irvin Raglin; S Chris Bland.

KEY NEWCOMERS: OL Clint Duggan (HS); DE Olufemi Lamikanra (HS); WR Darrius McQueen (HS); LB Dale Riley (HS); QB Thomas Wilson (HS).

HONORS CANDIDATES: QB Scott Riddle, Soph.; FB Tim Applegate, Sr.; WR Terrell Hudgins, Jr.; WR Bo Williamson, Sr.; OT Chris Werden, Jr.; OG David Harrison, Jr.; LB Corey Weaver, Sr.; CB Cameron McGlenn, Jr.; CB/RS Karlos Sullivan, Jr.; S Nolan Ward, Jr.; K Andrew Wilcox, Sr.; P Brandon Lane, Sr.

TOP 5 PLAYERS
1. WR Terrell Hudgins, Jr.
2. QB Scott Riddle, Soph.
3. LB Corey Weaver, Sr.
4. CB Cameron McGlenn, Jr.
5. WR Bo Williamson, Sr.

FURMAN

RETURNING STARTERS
Offense: 5
Defense: 4
Special Teams: 1
Total: 10

KEY RETURNEES: QB Jordan Sorrells, Jr.; RB Mike Brown, Soph.; FB Brantley Kendall, Sr.; WR R.J. Webb, Jr.; WR Adam Mims, Soph.; TE Larry Hedden, Jr.; TE Chris Truss, Jr.; OT Joel Bell, Sr.; OT Thomas Slaughter, Sr.; OG Tyler Haynes Jr.; OG Heath Cockburn, Jr.; OG Will Landers, Jr.; C David Menocal, Sr.; DE Gaines Burnett, Sr.; DE Shaun Van Rensburg, Jr.; DE Philip Morris, Jr.; DE Kyle McKinney, Jr.; NG Justin Brown, Jr.; DT Ricky Jones, Sr.; LB Hunter Twitty, Sr.; LB Julian Hicks, Jr.; CB William Middleton, Sr.; CB Masharn Austin, Sr.; S Thomas Twitty, Sr.; S Max Lerner, Soph.; K Matthew Cesari, Sr.; P Trent Hawk, Jr.

KEY LOSSES: QB Renaldo Gray; RB Cedrick Gipson; FB Jerome Felton; WR Ryan McKie; WR Patrick Sprague; C Reggie Goolsby; DE Wallace Artis; LB Andrew Jones; LB Gary Nelson; LB Clifton Dortch; CB Austin Holmes; S Andrew Thacker; K Scott Beckler.

KEY NEWCOMERS: QB Dakota Derrick (HS), FB Tersoo Uhaa (HS), WR Matthew Gordon (HS), DT Bryan Poole (HS), C Daniel Spisak (HS), FS Nathan Wade (HS).

HONORS CANDIDATES: QB Jordan Sorrells, Jr.; RB Mike Brown, Soph.; WR R.J. Webb, Jr.; TE Larry Hedden, Jr.; OT Joel Bell, Sr.; OT Thomas Slaughter, Sr.; OG Tyler Haynes Jr.; OG Heath Cockburn, Jr.; C David Menocal, Sr.; NG Justin Brown, Jr.; CB William Middleton, Sr.; S Thomas Twitty, Sr..

TOP 5 PLAYERS
1. OT Joel Bell, Sr.
2. DT Justin Brown, Jr.
3. TE Larry Hedden, Jr. 
4. S Thomas Twitty, Sr.
5. RB Mike Brown, Soph.

GEORGIA SOUTHERN

RETURNING STARTERS
Offense: 3
Defense: 9
Special Teams: 1
Total: 13

KEY RETURNEES: QB Lee Chapple, Fr.; WR Michael McIntosh, Sr.; WR Steve Cundari, Soph.; WR Raja Andrews, Sr.; WR Joe Haynie, Sr.; OT Josh Petkovich, Fr.; OT Cole Fountain, Jr.; OG Josh Barker, Jr.; C William Maxwell, Fr.; DE Larry Beard, Sr.; DE Kerry Bonds, Jr.; DE Damon Suggs, Sr.; LB Harland Bower, Jr.; LB Quentin Taylor, Sr.; LB E.J. Webb, Soph.; LB Terrione Benefield, Jr.; CB Carson Hill, Jr.; CB Darrel Pasco, Jr.; S Chris Covington, Sr.; S Chris Rogers, Jr.; S Ronnie Wiggins, Jr.; K Jesse Hartley, Sr.

KEY LOSSES: QB Jayson Foster; RB Lamar Lewis, WR Irving Campbell, OT Russell Orr, OT Brad Williams, OG Marcelo Estrada, CB Brandon Jackson, P Dan Jordan.

KEY NEWCOMERS: LB J.B Shippy, QB Leander Barney (HS), OL Daniel Few (HS), RB/DB LaVelle Larry (HS), DB A.J. McCray (HS), RB Darreion Robinson (HS), WR Demarcus Walls (HS), WR Darell Norman (UAB), RB Ricky Ponton (South Florida), P Charlie Edwards (HS).

HONORS CANDIDATES: WR Raja Andrews, Sr.; DE Larry Beard, Sr.; DE Damon Suggs, Sr.; LB Quentin Taylor, Sr.; LB E.J. Webb, Soph.; CB Carson Hill, Jr.; S Chris Covington, Sr.; K Jesse Hartley, Sr.

TOP 5 PLAYERS
1. S Chris Covington, Sr.
2. DE Larry Beard, Sr.
3. K Jesse Hartley, Sr.
4. CB Carson Hill, Jr.
5. LB Quentin Taylor, Sr.

SAMFORD

RETURNING STARTERS
Offense: 6
Defense: 8
Special Teams: 3
Total: 17

KEY RETURNEES: QB Dante Williams, Sr.; RB Chris Evans, Soph.; FB Marcus Rice, Sr.; WR Jonathan Lowery, Jr.; WR DeMarcus Covington, Soph.; TE Chris Spivey, Jr.; OT Mitchell Waters, Sr.; OT Paul Selmon, Jr.; OG Tommy Smith, Sr.; OG Thomas Gray, Soph.; C Jon Weber, Jr.; DE John Michael Clay, Soph.; DE Brent Nall, Sr.; DT Patrick Hatcher, Soph.; DT Mark Brown, Sr.; LB Quinton Smith, Sr.; LB Rodney Shepherd, Sr.; CB Kyle Morton, Sr.; CB Ty Levie, Jr.; S Thomas Broussard, Soph.; S Andy Davis, Soph.

KEY LOSSES: QB Jefferson Adcock, WR Jeff Moore, WR Joe Jones, WR David Lee, WR Ryan McDaniel, TE Michael Deen, OT Colby Hooper, OT Jonathan Loudermilk, DL Derek Slaughter, LB Jay McCurty, CB Sean Hill, CB Trent McKnight, S B.T. Hartloge,

KEY NEWCOMERS: TE Chris Spivey (JUCO), CB Isaac Cooper (HS), DE Alex Davis (HS), OL Jake Peters (HS), WR Riley Hawkins (HS), RB Jonathan Sillers (HS), S Corey White HS).

HONORS CANDIDATES: RB Chris Evans, Soph.; OT Mitchell Waters, Sr.; OG Thomas Gray, Soph.; LB Quinton Smith, Sr.; LB Rodney Shepherd, Sr.

TOP 5 PLAYERS
1. LB Rodney Shepherd, Sr.
2. RB Chris Evans, Soph.
3. OT Mitchell Waters, Sr.
4. LB Quinton Smith, Sr.
5. OG Thomas Gray, Soph.

WESTERN CAROLINA

RETURNING STARTERS
Offense: 6
Defense: 7
Special Teams: 1
Total: 14

KEY RETURNEES: QB Andy Horn, Sr.; QB Adam Hearns, Soph.; FB/TE Andrew Rogers, Soph.; WR Marquel Pittman, Soph.; OT James Singletary, Sr.; OT Ryan Cooper, Sr.; OG Josh Deaver, Sr.; OG Ben Davies, Jr.; C Kevin Wiggins, Sr.; DE Brandon Drumgoole, Sr.; DE Jeff Bradley, Sr.; DT Keanon Orr, Sr.; LB Quintin Phillips, Jr.; LB Michael Shaw, Sr.; LB Chaz Jackson, Sr.; CB Darrell Gray, Jr.; S Chris Collins, Jr.; LS John McDaris, Soph.

KEY LOSSES: QB Todd Spitzer; RB/KR Mike Malone; WR Eddie Cohen; TE Shamar Allen; OT Chris Huffman; OT Sam Jackson; DE Darren Curtis; LB Mordy Ornguze; CB/PR Carlton Bailey; S Meko Watson; K Jonathan Parsons; P Stephen Brown

KEY NEWCOMERS: RB Evan Williams (JC); RB Jayson Williams (Central Florida); DT Elsmore Gabriel (Clemson); DT Justin Collins (JC/Iowa State); LB Adrian “Bubba” McLeod (JC); CB Ibn Ali (HS),

HONORS CANDIDATES: QB Adam Hearns, Soph.; WR Marquel Pittman, Soph.; OT James Singletary, Sr.; C Kevin Wiggins, Sr.; DE Brandon Drumgoole, Sr.; DE Jeff Bradley, Sr.; LB Quintin Phillips, Jr.; S Chris Collins, Jr.

TOP 5 PLAYERS
1. LB Quintin Phillips, Jr.
2. DT Jeff Bradley, Sr.
3. C Kevin Wiggins, Sr.
4. WR Marquel Pittman, Soph.
5. S Chris Collins, Jr.

WOFFORD

RETURNING STARTERS
Offense: 6
Defense: 4
Special Teams: 2
Total: 12

KEY RETURNEES: QB Ben Widmyer, Sr.; RB Jeremy Marshall, Jr.; RB Mike Rucker, Soph.; FB Dane Romero, Sr.; WR Andy Strickland, Sr.; TE Fenn Allen, Sr.; OT Derek Wooten, Sr.; OT Ben Quick, Sr.; OG Ben Miller, Sr.; C Trey Johnson, Soph.; DE Ryan Young, Sr.; DE Mitch Clark, Jr.; DT Layton Baker, Sr.; LB Seth Goldwire, Sr.; LB Gary Blount, Jr.; LB Aaron Scott, Sr.; LB James Mitchell, Sr.; LB Matt Norcia, Sr.; CB Mychael Johnson, Jr.; S Jason Leventis, Sr.; S Greg Gasparato, Jr.; K Patrick Mugan, Sr.; P Chris Tommie, Sr..

KEY LOSSES: QB Josh Collier; RB Kevious Johnson, FB Michael Hobbs, OG Derek Tiller; C Corey McKenna; DE James Gonsoulin; DE Michael Combest; LB Kevin Adleman; CB Filmon Dawkins; CB Brian Kemp; S Brian Ford; S Dan Tavani; LS Chris Collins.

KEY NEWCOMERS: WR Brenton Bersin (HS), DE Zach Bobb (HS), RB Eric Breitenstein (HS), LB Mike Niam (HS), DE Allen Smith (HS), CB Bryan Youman (HS).

HONORS CANDIDATES: FB Dane Romero, Sr.; WR Andy Strickland, Sr.; TE Fenn Allen, Sr.; OT Derek Wooten, Sr.; OT Ben Quick, Sr.; OG Ben Miller, Sr.; DT Layton Baker, Sr.; LB Seth Goldwire, Sr.; S Jason Leventis, Sr.; K Patrick Mugan, Sr.; P Chris Tommie, Sr.

TOP 5 PLAYERS
1. LB Seth Goldwire, Sr.
2. OT Derek Wooten, Sr.
3. TE Fenn Allen, Sr.
4. OT Ben Quick, Sr.
5. DT Layton Baker, Sr.

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

1. Appalachian State
Payton Award front runner quarterback Armanti Edwards, LB Pierre Banks headline offense and defense; losses include 2nd round pick WR Dexter Jackson, 6th round pick FS Corey Lynch, and 2-time All-American OG Kerry Brown.

2. Elon
Payton Watch duo quarterback Scott Riddle, wide receiver Terrell Hudgins are back; All-SoCon linebacker Corey Weaver, preseason All-SoCon DB tandem Cameron McGlenn, Karlos Sullivan anchor defense.

3. The Citadel
First year starter quarterback Bart Blanchard returns wide receiver Andre Roberts and most experience line in the SoCon; defense anchored by DL tandem Terrence Reese, Kevin McCaskill.

4. Wofford
The Terriers return a solid offensive line, tight end Fenn Allen headline offense; just four starters back on defense with linebacker Seth Goldwire back roaming the field.

5. Georgia Southern
Payton Award winner quarterback Jayson Foster graduated and is now in the NFL, offensive line dismantled by graduation; safety Chris Covington, linebackers lead defense.

6. Furman
Just five starters back on offense, All-American tackle Joel Bell back; even less starters back on defense with just four, anchored by safety Thomas Twitty.

7. Chattanooga
Quarterback Antonio Miller graduated but they return solid running back duo and good receiving unit; linebacker Joseph Thornton headlines just three returning starters on defense.

8. Western Carolina
Dennis Wagner takes over as head coach; defense boasts two All-SoCon performers tackle Jeff Bradley, linebacker Quinton Phillips.

9. Samford
First year will likely be tough despite 15 starters returning; running back Chris Evans, linebacker Rodney Shepherd headline ‘08 squad.

NATIONAL AWARDS CANDIDATES

WALTER PAYTON AWARD CANDIDATES
QB Armanti Edwards, Appalachian State, Jr.
QB Scott Riddle, Elon, Soph.
WR Terrell Hudgins, Elon, Jr.
WR Andre Roberts, The Citadel, Jr.

BUCK BUCHANAN AWARD CANDIDATES
LB Pierre Banks, Appalachian State, Sr.
LB Seth Goldwire, Wofford, Sr.

2008 SOUTHERNPIGSKIN.COM PRESEASON ALL-SOCON TEAMS

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
WR Terrell Hudgins, Elon, Jr.
WR Andre Roberts, The Citadel, Jr.
TE Larry Hedden, Furman, Jr.
OT Joel Bell, Furman, Sr.
OT Derek Wooten, Wofford, Sr.
OG Mario Acitelli, Appalachian State, Jr.
OG William Giles, Chattanooga, Sr.
C Kevin Wiggins, Western Carolina, Sr.
QB Armanti Edwards, Appalachian State, Jr.
RB Devon Moore, Appalachian State, Jr.
RB Mike Brown, Furman, Soph.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
DL Terrence Reese, The Citadel, Jr.
DL Anthony Williams, Appalachian State, Jr.
DL Justin Brown, Furman, Jr.
DL Larry Beard, Georgia Southern, Sr.
LB Pierre Banks, Appalachian State, Sr.
LB Seth Goldwire, Wofford, Sr.
LB Corey Weaver, Elon, Sr.
DB Chris Covington, Georgia Southern, Sr.
DB Thomas Twitty, Furman, Sr.
DB Leonard Love, Appalachian State, Sr.
DB Carson Hill, Georgia Southern, Jr.

FIRST TEAM SPECIALISTS
K Jesse Hartley, Georgia Southern, Sr.
P Brandon Lane, Elon, Sr.
RS Sean Lees, Wofford, Soph.

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
WR Bo Williamson, Elon, Sr.
WR CoCo Hillary, Appalachian State, Soph. 
TE Fenn Allen, Wofford, Sr.
OT Brad Coley, Appalachian State, Sr.
OT Ben Quick, Wofford, Sr.
OG Tyler Haynes, Furman, Jr.
OG Ben Miller, Wofford, Sr.
C Clay Muirhead, The Citadel, Sr.
QB Scott Riddle, Elon, Soph.
RB Dane Romero, Wofford, Sr.
RB Bryan Fitzgerald, Chattanooga, Sr.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
DL Tony Robertson, Appalachian State, Jr.
DL Damon Suggs, Georgia Southern, Sr.
DL Layton Baker, Wofford, Sr.
DL Jeff Bradley, Western Carolina, Sr. 
LB Quintin Phillips, Western Carolina, Jr.
LB Joseph Thornton, Chattanooga, Jr.
LB D.J. Smith, Appalachian State, Soph.
DB William Middleton, Furman, Sr.
DB Cameron McGlenn, Elon, Jr.
DB Cortez Gilbert, Appalachian State, Jr.
DB Ryan Jones, The Citadel, Jr.

SECOND TEAM SPECIALISTS
K Patrick Mugan, Wofford, Sr.
P Mark Kaspar, The Citadel, Sr.
RS CoCo Hillary, Appalachian State, Soph.

HONORABLE MENTION
RB Chris Evans, Samford, Soph.
WR Blue Cooper, Chattanooga, Jr.
WR TJ Courman, Appalachian State, Sr.
WR R.J. Webb, Furman, Jr.
WR Marquel Pittman, Western Carolina, Soph.
TE Taylor Cornett, The Citadel, Sr.
OT Thomas Slaughter, Furman, Sr.
OT Daniel DeHaven, The Citadel, Jr.
OT Mitchell Waters, Samford, Sr.
OT Chris Werden, Elon, Sr.
DE Kevin McCaskill, The Citadel, Sr.
DE Neil Brown, Chattanooga, Sr.
DT Malcolm Bennett, Appalachian State, Jr.
LB Jacque Roman, Appalachian State, Jr.
LB Rodney Shepherd, Samford, Sr.
CB Raeshon Ball, Chattanooga, Sr.
CB Karlos Sullivan, Elon, Jr.
K Andrew Wilcox, Elon, Sr.
P Chris Tommie, Wofford, Sr.
RS Mike Brown, Furman, Soph.

PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

OFFENSE: QB Armanti Edwards, Appalachian State, Jr.
The junior amassed 1,948 passing yards and 17 touchdowns while rushing for 1,588 yards and 21 more touchdowns last year.  He did that missing 4 ½ games and led the Mountaineers to their 3rd straight national title.  Injuries left him off the All-SoCon team but his playoff performance earned him 2nd team All-America plaudits by The Sports Network and the distinction of the preseason #1 QB by The Sports Network, Phil Steele Magazine preseason 1st team All-American and preseason SoCon Offensive Player of the Year by the league’s coaches. 

Others Considered: WR Terrell Hudgins, Elon, Jr.; QB Scott Riddle, Elon, Soph.; WR Andre Roberts, The Citadel, Jr.

DEFENSE: LB Pierre Banks, Appalachian State, Sr.
This selection could easily change by season’s end but nobody enters the season having played as consistent over their career as Banks.  He earned 1st team All-America honors by The Sports Network last year with 108 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and 7 passes defended.  Phil Steele Magazine also named him a preseason 1st team All-American while the SoCon coaches tabbed him the SoCon preseason Defensive Player of the Year. 

Others Considered: LB Seth Goldwire, Wofford, Sr.; LB Corey Weaver, Elon, Sr.; LB Joseph Thornton, Chattanooga, Jr.

OFFENSIVE LINE: OT Joel Bell, Furman, Sr.
Bell earned 1st team All-SoCon honors as a junior and 2nd team plaudits as a sophomore.  The Sports Network also named him honorable mention All-America last year while earning preseason 1st team All-SoCon honors by both the league’s coaches and Phil Steele Magazine.  The magazine also named him a 1st team preseason All-American.

Others Considered: OT Derek Wooten, Wofford, Sr.; OG Mario Acitelli, Appalachian State, Jr.; OG/OT William Giles, UTC, Sr. OT Brad Coley, Appalachian State, Sr.

TOP NFL PROSPECT: OT Joel Bell, Furman
Bell’s mammoth size (6’7, 315) and good footwork make him a potential mid round left tackle prospect.  Consistency and technique are his main weaknesses but they can be improved with experience and coaching.  Expect him to earn mid round grades from most teams with a solid senior campaign.

Others Considered: OG William Giles, UTC; WR TJ Courman, Appalachian State, P Brandon Lane, Elon.

TOP 20 PLAYERS
QB Armanti Edwards, Appalachian State
WR Terrell Hudgins, Elon
LB Pierre Banks, Appalachian State
WR Andre Roberts, The Citadel
OT Joel Bell, Furman
QB Scott Riddle, Elon
DT Anthony Williams, Appalachian State
LB Seth Goldwire, Wofford
OT Derek Wooten, Wofford
DT Justin Brown, Furman
TE Larry Hedden, Furman
LB Corey Weaver, Elon
S Chris Covington, Georgia Southern
LB Joseph Thornton, Chattanooga
LB DJ Smith, Appalachian State
OG/OT William Giles, Chattanooga
WR/RS CoCo Hillary, Appalachian State
LB Jacque Roman, Appalachian State
DE Larry Beard, Georgia Southern
TE Fenn Allen, Wofford

TOP 10 SENIOR NFL PROSPECTS
OT Joel Bell, Furman
OG/OT William Giles, Chattanooga
WR TJ Courman, Appalachian State
DE Brandon Drumgoole, Western Carolina
P Brandon Lane, Elon
CB William Middleton, Furman
DE Jeffrey Bradley, Western Carolina
LB/SS Pierre Banks, Appalachian State
TE Fenn Allen, Wofford
OT Derek Wooten, Wofford

…..

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Photos: SoConSports.com