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BIRMINGHAM - The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced the 2012 Preseason All-Conference football team on Monday at the annual Media Day event at the Birmingham Marriott.
Alabama A&M placed five staters on the first-team while three were name to the second-team.
Offensive player of the year Dawrence Roberts rushed for 1,102 yards in 2011, averaging 5.5 yards per carry. He scored eight touchdowns and averaged 110.2 yards per game. Meanwhile, Joseph Lebeau was ranked in the top 10 in the SWAC in tackles last season with 75, He led the conference in tackles for loss and fourth in FCS with 24.5. He was also 2nd in FSC in Sacks: with 16. In addition to his SWAC preseason laurels, Lebeau is a BSN 2012 Preseason 1st Team All-American, CFPA preseason watch list, In 2011, he was named SWAC Newcomer of the Year.
That same afternoon A&M was chosen to finish third in the Eastern Division behind Alabama State and Jackson State.
"We're a little disappointed ," head coach Anthony Jones said. "Alabama State has a good football team. They are very similar to where we are. They've got a returning quarterback, a great running back, receivers coming back along with a number of guys on defense. We beat them last year by one point. This year will be no exception.
"Everybody has to play. This is drama and theater for (the media). When it's all said and done, all 10 teams are going to have to play and only one will walk away with the trophy," Jones mentioned.
Last season A&M was selected fourth after being picked first in the 2010 preseason poll.
The preseason All-SWAC teams were selected by the league coaches, Sports Information Directors and selected members of the media.
Preseason All-SWAC 1st-team Offense
QB Deaunte Mason, SR, Alabama A&M
RB Kaderius Lacey, SR, Alabama A&M
RB Dawrence Roberts, Grambling State
WR Rico Richardson, SR, Jackson State
WR Spencer Nelson, SR, Prairie View
TE E.J. Drewery, SR, Jackson State
OL Jamal Johnson-Webb, SR, Alabama A&M
OL Terren Jones, SR, Alabama State
OL Terron Armstead, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
OL Sanford Banks, Grambling State
OL Zion Pyatt, SR, Jackson State
Preseason All-SWAC 1st-team Defense
DL Joseph LeBeau, SR, Jackson State
DL Carlton Jones, JR, Alabama State
DL Ryan Love, SR, Prairie View
DL Devon Carter, Grambling State
LB Todd Wilcher, Jackson State
LB Raheem Cardwell, Prairie View
LB Jacarde Carter, Grambling State
DB Kejuan Riley, ALST
DB Qua Cox, Jackson State
DB Saeed Lee, Alabama State
DB Vernon Marshall, Alabama A&M
Preseason All-SWAC 1st-team Specialists
PK Chance Wilson, Alabama A&M
P Bobby Wenzig, Alabama State
RET Terrance Lewis, Alcorn State
Preseason All-SWAC 2nd-team Offense
QB Greg Jenkins, SR, Alabama State
RB Arnold Walker, JR, Alcorn State
RB Trey Bateaste, SR, Mississippi Valley State
WR G'Alonzo Milton, SR, Alabama A&M
WR T.C. McWilliams, SR, Alabama State
TE Mike Berry, Southern
OL Clint Marsh, Grambling
OL Stephen Capler, SR, Jackson State
OL Tre Glover, SO, Prairie View
OL Chris Browne, Southern
OL Justin Goodrich, JR, Alabama A&M
Preseason All-SWAC 2nd-team Defense
DL Leployer Franklin, JR, Mississippi Valley St.
DL Johnathan Billups, SR, Jackson State
DL Jarvis Wilson, Prairie View A&M
DL Tim Tillman, Alabama A&M
LB Bill Ross, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
LB Brandon Slater, Alabama State
LB Jer-ryan Harris, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
DB Naquan Smith, Grambling State
DB Virgil Williams, Southern
DB Casey Freeman, Alcorn State
DB Tyree Hollins, Grambling State
Preseason All-SWAC 2nd-team Specialists
PK Carlos Sanchez, Mississippi Valley State
P Fabian Carter, Grambling State
RET B.J. Lee, Jackson State
SWAC Predicted Order of Finish (1st-place votes)
Western Division
1. Grambling State (20) 119 points
2. Prairie View A&M (1) 82 points
3. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (2) 69 points
4. Southern (2) 54 points
5. Texas Southern 51 points
Eastern Division
1. Alabama State (11) 108 points
2. Jackson State (7) 95 points
3. Alabama A&M (7) 94 points
4. Alcorn State (1) 42 points
5. Mississippi Valley 36 points
