SoCon Preseason All-League Teams, Order of Finish

[smallcollegefbfan]

2014 Southern Conference Football Preseason All-Conference Teams
Player of the Year: Jacob Huesman, Jr., QB, Chattanooga
Defensive Player of the Year: Davis Tull, Sr., DL, Chattanooga

First Team Offense
QB Jacob Huesman, Jr., QB, Chattanooga
RB Hank McCloud, Sr., Furman
RB Keon Williams, Sr., Chattanooga
OL Charles Emert, Sr., Furman
OL Gunnar Bromelow, Jr., Samford
OL Synjen Herren, Jr., Chattanooga
OL Josh Wineberg, Jr., Western Carolina
OL T.J. Chamberlin, Jr., Wofford
TE Faysal Shafaat, Sr., Chattanooga
WR Andrej Suttles, So., Furman
WR Karnorris Benson, Jr., Western Carolina

First Team Defense
DL Justin Oxendine, Sr., The Citadel
DL Gary Wilkins, Sr., Furman
DL Davis Tull, Sr., Chattanooga
DL Tarek Odom, Sr., Wofford
LB Carl Robinson, Sr., The Citadel
LB Marcus McMorris, Sr., Furman
LB Carl Rider, Jr., Furman
DB Reggie Thomas, Jr., Furman
DB James Bradberry, Jr., Samford
DB Jaquiski Tartt, Sr., Samford
DB Sertonuse Harris, Jr., Western Carolina

First Team Specialists
PK Warren Handrahan, So., Samford
P Greg Peranich, Sr., Samford
RS Shaun Warren, Sr., Western Carolina

Second Team Offense
QB Reese Hannon, Jr., Furman
RB Darius Ramsey, Jr., Western Carolina
RB Will Gay, Jr., Wofford
OL Joe Turner, Jr., Furman
OL C.H. Scruggs, Jr., Samford
OL Corey Levin, So., Chattanooga
OL Andrew Marcotte, Sr., VMI
OL Anton Wahrby, So., Wofford
TE Tony Philpot, Jr., Samford
WR Karel Hamilton, So., Samford
WR Terryon Robinson, So., Western Carolina

Second Team Defense
DL Ira McCune, Sr., Furman
DL Jerry Mathis, Sr., Samford
DL Josh Freeman, Jr., Chattanooga
DL Derrick Lott, Sr., Chattanooga
LB Bobby Wilson, Jr., Samford
LB Christon Gill, Sr., Western Carolina
LB Kevin Thomas, Sr., Wofford
DB Trey Robinson, So., Furman
DB Ace Clark, Sr., Western Carolina
DB Chris Armfield, So., Wofford
DB Bernard Williams, Sr., Wofford

Second Team Specialists
PK Richard Sigmon, Sr., Western Carolina
P Nick Pollard, Sr., Chattanooga
RS Will Gay, Jr., Wofford

NOTE: Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own players.

2014 SoCon Football Preseason Coaches Poll
School (First-place votes) Points
1. Chattanooga (6) 48
2. Furman (1) 40
Samford (1) 40
4. Wofford 30
5. Western Carolina 24
6. The Citadel 22
7. Mercer 10
VMI 10

2014 SoCon Football Preseason Media Poll
School (First-place votes) Points
1. Chattanooga (29) 235
2. Furman (1) 203
3. Samford 174
4. Wofford 155
5. Western Carolina 105
6. The Citadel 103
7. Mercer 67
8. VMI 38

[Smitty]

5th is the highest WCU has been ranked since 2004(4th).

[CID1990]

El Cid is way too high

[PaladinFan]

Over half the Furman defense pre-season all SoCon. Watch out, now.

[walliver]

I am surprised the coaches showed such love for Samford, even giving them a first place vote, after they lost big playmakers from last year.

Neither the coaches or press had any respect for VMI.


For the most part, I agree with the lists, although I would place VMI in front of Mercer this year, and feel FU is definitely well above Samford. I think the Terriers will do well this year, but they have yet to show anything on the field, so 4th place seems reasonable (especially since we play UTC, FU and Samford on the road (UTC and FU for the second year in a row)).

[longtimemocfan]

Good for WCU. The conference needs programs to progress to make it better. Saw some good talent from The Cats especially on offense in our game with them last year.

[catamount man]

5th is the highest WCU has been ranked since 2004(4th). Awesome to see isn't it?! I am as giddy as the virgin at the prom dating the all state QB. LOL!

GO CATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PaladinFan]

Interested to see that Ira McCune was selected second team. I would wager he does not even start for Furman this season with the return of Shawn Boone from injury. He has a chance to be a real versatile player for Furman, though, as he can play both tackle and end. Gives Furman a lot of different looks.

[bjtheflamesfan]

This really shows how high the expectations are for UTC to finally take that final step up to the top of the SoCon after so many times coming up short. If UTC does not win the conference this year...outright...there will probably have to be some changes just below Rocky Top

[smallcollegefbfan]

5th is the highest WCU has been ranked since 2004(4th).

App and GSU are always ahead of you and the two teams who replaced them should be behind you. You guys and a couple other teams moved up two spots by default.

[smallcollegefbfan]

This really shows how high the expectations are for UTC to finally take that final step up to the top of the SoCon after so many times coming up short. If UTC does not win the conference this year...outright...there will probably have to be some changes just below Rocky Top

If Huesman doesn't win the SoCon outright this year I am not sure I would let him go. UTC was never in the top 4 or 5 before he got there. He has at least made them relevant. The question is whether UTC is just glad to be in the hunt or if they expect to win the league. With the resources they have I think they should expect to be top 3 every year along with Furman and Samford or Wofford. UTC no longer has App or GSU to beat them yearly and they are able to at least get good FCS talent. The expectations should be high in Chatty this year.

[PaladinFan]

If Huesman doesn't win the SoCon outright this year I am not sure I would let him go. UTC was never in the top 4 or 5 before he got there. He has at least made them relevant. The question is whether UTC is just glad to be in the hunt or if they expect to win the league. With the resources they have I think they should expect to be top 3 every year along with Furman and Samford or Wofford. UTC no longer has App or GSU to beat them yearly and they are able to at least get good FCS talent. The expectations should be high in Chatty this year.

Can really go too far when calling for a regime change when nothing is wrong. If you graduate your players, stay out of the non-sports part of the news, and give us a solid chance of winning every year, I'm for you.

I've been critical of UTC's coaching staff. I got the impression they were just far too "cute" on offense - likely an attempt to try and get Terrell Robinson as many touches as possible. Felt very much "high school" offense ("well, let's see if this will work"). I also do not think their team looks mentally prepared to play every week. They put together some real head scratchers out there.

Still, we are talking about a team that was consistently a laughing stock in the Southern Conference. They are no longer that. Question may well be whether this is Elon (flash in the pan success bookended by poor play) or whether they have really turned the corner for good.

[smallcollegefbfan]

Can really go too far when calling for a regime change when nothing is wrong. If you graduate your players, stay out of the non-sports part of the news, and give us a solid chance of winning every year, I'm for you.

I've been critical of UTC's coaching staff. I got the impression they were just far too "cute" on offense - likely an attempt to try and get Terrell Robinson as many touches as possible. Felt very much "high school" offense ("well, let's see if this will work"). I also do not think their team looks mentally prepared to play every week. They put together some real head scratchers out there.

Still, we are talking about a team that was consistently a laughing stock in the Southern Conference. They are no longer that. Question may well be whether this is Elon (flash in the pan success bookended by poor play) or whether they have really turned the corner for good.

That's what I'm saying. I think the fan base has to decide but they should just be happy to be top 3 or 4 in the SoCon yearly. I not only think Huesman keeps his job but I think he gets a contract extension. They would have to have a lot of off field problems and/or fall out of the top 4 or 5 in the league a couple years for me to say Huesman loses his job. He's got top 2 or 3 job security in the SoCon right now.

[catamount man]

App and GSU are always ahead of you and the two teams who replaced them should be behind you. You guys and a couple other teams moved up two spots by default.

buzz killer.xsmiley_wix

- - - Updated - - -

[QUOTE=SmallCollegeFBFan;2123428]If Huesman doesn't win the SoCon outright this year I am not sure I would let him go. UTC was never in the top 4 or 5 before he got there. He has at least made them relevant. The question is whether UTC is just glad to be in the hunt or if they expect to win the league. With the resources they have I think they should expect to be top 3 every year along with Furman and Samford or Wofford. UTC no longer has App or GSU to beat them yearly and they are able to at least get good FCS talent. The expectations should be high in Chatty this year.[/QUOTE

This plus 1. GO CATS!

[smallcollegefbfan]

buzz killer.xsmiley_wix

Nope. Just telling the truth. You moved up two spots.

Now, in your defense WCU has better talent than they did before you plucked the App coaching staff. I think you may have one player get a NFL contract this year. That's something WCU rarely can say.

[catamount man]

Nope. Just telling the truth. You moved up two spots.

Now, in your defense WCU has better talent than they did before you plucked the App coaching staff. I think you may have one player get a NFL contract this year. That's something WCU rarely can say.

Would be nice. WCU hasn't had a DRAFTED NFL player since 1994. People forget Brad Hoover was a UFA. GO CATS!

[smallcollegefbfan]

Would be nice. WCU hasn't had a DRAFTED NFL player since 1994. People forget Brad Hoover was a UFA. GO CATS!

Hoover was good. Michale Spicer got a shot. You got one who will at least get signed. That's not something that even happens often. Not sure this one will get drafted but you have at least two players on your current roster who I believe will be in a NFL camp when their college career is over.

[catamount man]

Hoover was good. Michale Spicer got a shot. You got one who will at least get signed. That's not something that even happens often. Not sure this one will get drafted but you have at least two players on your current roster who I believe will be in a NFL camp when their college career is over.

Along with Spicer, two more seniors that year signed UFA deals. Brian Gaither, a 1 yr deal with the Ravens, is now a pastor over in the Winston-Salem, NC area and Nick McNeil, who wound up wrestling professionally for the WWE under the moniker "Percy Watson" until they released him a while back.

Jeff Bradley (05-08) signed a UFA deal with the Steelers after turning down an offer from Kansas City. KC was prepared to draft him in the seventh round that year but he was dead set on being a Steeler like his dad was. Would've been cool to see Jeff's name on the draft board. As far as the "one" for 2014, I assume you're speaking of Benson our WR? GO CATS!

[smallcollegefbfan]

Along with Spicer, two more seniors that year signed UFA deals. Brian Gaither, a 1 yr deal with the Ravens, is now a pastor over in the Winston-Salem, NC area and Nick McNeil, who wound up wrestling professionally for the WWE under the moniker "Percy Watson" until they released him a while back.

Jeff Bradley (05-08) signed a UFA deal with the Steelers after turning down an offer from Kansas City. KC was prepared to draft him in the seventh round that year but he was dead set on being a Steeler like his dad was. Would've been cool to see Jeff's name on the draft board. As far as the "one" for 2014, I assume you're speaking of Benson our WR? GO CATS!

Benson is just a junior. You may have two juniors and one senior on this team who get a shot.

[FUBeAR]

A SoCon fan on another board made an outlandish (IMHO) statement about his expected lack of Mercer's success in their 1st 2 years in the SoCon. I accepted his challenge and proposed a reasonable non-monetary wager (if he was wrong, he would have to be my personal, fully-dressed Bellhop on my next football weekend visit to Charleston), but he declined to enter into an agreement on what he had previously called a 'sure' thing. I am interested in a friendly wager regarding the pre-season vs. post-season All-SoCon selections. Although, somewhat understandably, not a single Mercer Bear was named to the pre-season All-SoCon Team (in contrast to the well-researched selections of SaturdayBlitz.com - on Page 2 here - http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/194/files/2014/07/SoCon-Preview-2014.pdf ), I will consider terms of any proposed non-monetary wagers regarding whether or not at least 1 Mercer Bear will be on either the Media or Coaches Post-Season All-SoCon Team. I believe there will be at least 1 such representative of Mercer selected. Place, or rather, propose your bets...

[smallcollegefbfan]

A SoCon fan on another board made an outlandish (IMHO) statement about his expected lack of Mercer's success in their 1st 2 years in the SoCon. I accepted his challenge and proposed a reasonable non-monetary wager (if he was wrong, he would have to be my personal, fully-dressed Bellhop on my next football weekend visit to Charleston), but he declined to enter into an agreement on what he had previously called a 'sure' thing. I am interested in a friendly wager regarding the pre-season vs. post-season All-SoCon selections. Although, somewhat understandably, not a single Mercer Bear was named to the pre-season All-SoCon Team (in contrast to the well-researched selections of SaturdayBlitz.com - on Page 2 here - http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/194/files/2014/07/SoCon-Preview-2014.pdf ), I will consider terms of any proposed non-monetary wagers regarding whether or not at least 1 Mercer Bear will be on either the Media or Coaches Post-Season All-SoCon Team. I believe there will be at least 1 such representative of Mercer selected. Place, or rather, propose your bets...

First of all, I get why nobody from Mercer was on the coaches' teams and I had a couple Mercer players but I think this preview went way overboard on them and had some bad picks in general.

Lots of mistakes in this.

1. There is no reason of Tosin moving to DB in the article but have him 2nd team DB on the list.

2. Davis Hull as DEF POY? It's TULL. Several other spelling mistakes.

Some good picks and some bad ones. Time was put in for sure.

I'll agree with you though that Mercer will have some players on the postseason team. I don't think Mercer will finish better than 7th or 8th this year but I do think Mercer will be in the top 3-4 by 2016. Mercer has a lot of young talent and should be good when Russ is a junior and senior.

Who did that anyway? Is it John Hooper? I know he helps with AppNation247 so not sure why he is covering the SoCon these days since he works for the App State 247 Sports website if it is him?

I'm not trying to be mean or rain on any parade but I'm going to tell all of you a fact about these websites that many of you are putting stock in. They don't pay. They are all ran by people who are fans just like the people who sit beside you at games but these people love it so they put in the time to make something to talk about. They aren't paid for it and are just fans who are doing it for fun. You may or may not like Mel Kiper, Todd McShay, Gil Brandt, Mike Mayock, etc but those people are paid big bucks and these websites don't make anything or pay anything.

I-AA.org did not pay their people and neither do the others. Phil Steele does pay, it's low money but they do pay. Phil Steele dropped FCS because it was losing the money.

If it's not a major media outlet who is on TV or constantly put on ESPN, NFL Network, Fox, etc. then they don't pay so just remember that it's mostly fans doing it for fun. Anyone else here could do them and have just as much stock put in their picks. I tried to make my picks based on film evals but I didn't break down every single player as much as others. The coaches picks are the most in depth and detailed done by professionals you will find. I took about 15 minutes to make my picks off what I saw on film from going through Dub Center or the official NCAA exchange of film that NFL people use for those wondering how I did mine. I also read through the 2014 prospectus info and double checked rosters.

[chattownmocs]

Some ridiculous picks here.

How is Levin not 1st team?
How is Freeman not 1st team, or at least Lott.

[chattownmocs]

Can really go too far when calling for a regime change when nothing is wrong. If you graduate your players, stay out of the non-sports part of the news, and give us a solid chance of winning every year, I'm for you.

I've been critical of UTC's coaching staff. I got the impression they were just far too "cute" on offense - likely an attempt to try and get Terrell Robinson as many touches as possible. Felt very much "high school" offense ("well, let's see if this will work"). I also do not think their team looks mentally prepared to play every week. They put together some real head scratchers out there.

Still, we are talking about a team that was consistently a laughing stock in the Southern Conference. They are no longer that. Question may well be whether this is Elon (flash in the pan success bookended by poor play) or whether they have really turned the corner for good.

How do they not look prepared to play?

[PaladinFan]

How do they not look prepared to play?

Because they routinely lose games they should win. More often than not their losses come from an inability to hold leads late in games. They are not necessarily getting out played.

[PaladinFan]

I was contemplating starting another thread on the subject, but this place is as good as any. I was wondering what everyone's realistic best case and worst case scenarios are for their team. I'm also interested to know who you might consider the "X" factor - perhaps an under the radar guy that could really elevate the team if he plays well.

For Furman:

Best case (9-2, 6-1): Furman comes out of the gate swinging through the early part of their schedule. They take care of their business against underdog but gritty early-season opponents. I don't expect a lot of cake walks, but Furman should be victorious throughout the first five games. Realistically, Furman always seems to drop a conference game somewhere along the line. I do think the Paladins will be favored in every game but Coastal, USC, and perhaps UTC. I can see Furman losing two of those.

Team channels whatever drove them the latter half of last season. Expects to win, not hopes to win. Need the offensive line to gel and see if one of these new guys can be a playmaker at TE. I think the defense is going to show up every week and be a handful for whomever we play.

Worst case (6-6, 3-4): Schedule this year is a tough one. Again, I think Furman will be favored, but they could well drop games to the always tough Wofford, the Citadel, and Samford, along with UTC, Coastal. We also will have our hands full with Gardner Webb, who proved last year that they can take a punch and deliver some too.

Team stumbles out of the gate early again. Does not deal with the pressure of being a "favorite." Line struggles with the absences of Thoni and Dozier. Endure another season of injuries at key positions.

X Factor: Jordan Snellings. Snellings has played in a good number of ball games for Furman. He's a lanky deep threat receiver who has showed flashes of brilliance in a Paladin uniform. Most of his career, though, has been marred by inconsistency as he has fallen into a supporting role.

Furman comes in with perhaps as deep a receiving corps since Bratton, West, and Reinhardt. A lot of that has to do with the electric Andrej Suttles, who will line up all over the field looking for matchup. The Paladins also have a good slot-type receiver in Chad Scott, and a big physical player in David Dingess. The offense really needs a guy like Snellings to play up to his potential, stretch the field, and get eyes off of Hank McCloud and Andrej Suttles. Suttles will draw double teams all season, and Furman's offense can really be explosive if a guy like Snellings can step up and play the role down field terror.

[walliver]

A SoCon fan on another board made an outlandish (IMHO) statement about his expected lack of Mercer's success in their 1st 2 years in the SoCon. I accepted his challenge and proposed a reasonable non-monetary wager (if he was wrong, he would have to be my personal, fully-dressed Bellhop on my next football weekend visit to Charleston), but he declined to enter into an agreement on what he had previously called a 'sure' thing. I am interested in a friendly wager regarding the pre-season vs. post-season All-SoCon selections. Although, somewhat understandably, not a single Mercer Bear was named to the pre-season All-SoCon Team (in contrast to the well-researched selections of SaturdayBlitz.com - on Page 2 here - http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/194/files/2014/07/SoCon-Preview-2014.pdf ), I will consider terms of any proposed non-monetary wagers regarding whether or not at least 1 Mercer Bear will be on either the Media or Coaches Post-Season All-SoCon Team. I believe there will be at least 1 such representative of Mercer selected. Place, or rather, propose your bets...


Keep in mind that no SoCon coach (or more likely AD who filled out the bracket for him), has ever seen any Mercer player in college action. Few if any SoCon beat writers have seen a single Mercer game. Mercer has yet to play a SoCon or any scholarship team. These people have no way of assessing Mercer players, and went with the players they know. Don't read too much into this.

As time goes on, you will find that there frequently seems to be a political component to Players of the Week, etc.

Also keep in mind, that Mercer will be playing almost exclusively Freshmen and Sophomores against upperclasmmen dominated teams. A few underclassmen make the final list, but not many.

[walliver]

This really shows how high the expectations are for UTC to finally take that final step up to the top of the SoCon after so many times coming up short. If UTC does not win the conference this year...outright...there will probably have to be some changes just below Rocky Top
Huesman is safe through 2015. He will not be fired while his son has eligibility left, and I doubt he would take a new job while his son has eligibility left.

After 2015 he is at risk of moving up. UTC fans still remember Allison, so his job is not at risk.

[PaladinFan]

Keep in mind that no SoCon coach (or more likely AD who filled out the bracket for him), has ever seen any Mercer player in college action. Few if any SoCon beat writers have seen a single Mercer game. Mercer has yet to play a SoCon or any scholarship team. These people have no way of assessing Mercer players, and went with the players they know. Don't read too much into this.

As time goes on, you will find that there frequently seems to be a political component to Players of the Week, etc.

Also keep in mind, that Mercer will be playing almost exclusively Freshmen and Sophomores against upperclasmmen dominated teams. A few underclassmen make the final list, but not many.

Right. I don't think it is intended as a slight.

I imagine all of the SoCon coaches have seen film on Mercer, though. I've never been a college football coach, but one can only imagine that would be a useful way to spend the time between signing day and pre-season.

[citdog]

Some ridiculous picks here.

How is Levin not 1st team?
How is Freeman not 1st team, or at least Lott.

your whole 22 should be listed here as well as for the pro bowl in hawaii

[chattanoogamocs]

Chattanooga has had 22 head football coaches.

Only 7 of them have coached at least 5 season.

Of those 7 coaches, Huesman has the 2nd best win percentage through his first 5 years (including a better win percentage through 5 years than his old coach, Joe Morrison, who won 3 SoCon titles in 6 seasons).

The only person better? National Hall of Fame Coach Scrappy Moore who was .5 percent better (55.8%) than Huesman (55.3%).

And Scrappy Moore was handed a much better program than Huesman.

Moore followed National Hall of Fame Coach Frank Thomas (26-9-2 in 4 seasons) and Harold "Red" Drew (13-5-2, 2 seasons).

Huesman followed Donnie Kirkpatrick (10-24, 3 seasons) and Rodney Allison (17-51, 6 seasons).

And on top of that, Huesman has this team in better academic shape than any coach in the modern (public school) era...including it's first Academic All-American.

Long story short, Russ Huesman would have to go 0-12 this year for his seat to even be warm.

[chattownmocs]

Chattanooga has had 22 head football coaches.

Only 7 of them have coached at least 5 season.

Of those 7 coaches, Huesman has the 2nd best win percentage through his first 5 years (including a better win percentage through 5 years than his old coach, Joe Morrison, who won 3 SoCon titles in 6 seasons).

The only person better? National Hall of Fame Coach Scrappy Moore who was .5 percent better (55.8%) than Huesman (55.3%).

And Scrappy Moore was handed a much better program than Huesman.

Moore followed National Hall of Fame Coach Frank Thomas (26-9-2 in 4 seasons) and Harold "Red" Drew (13-5-2, 2 seasons).

Huesman followed Donnie Kirkpatrick (10-24, 3 seasons) and Rodney Allison (17-51, 6 seasons).

And on top of that, Huesman has this team in better academic shape than any coach in the modern (public school) era...including it's first Academic All-American.

Long story short, Russ Huesman would have to go 0-12 this year for his seat to even be warm.

I agree that he has done a great job overall. The only problem is that he turned the team from 1 win to competitive so quickly that it seems as if he hasnt done aas good of a job as he has changing everything about the program. Last year was a step forward. Maybe not as big of a step forward as Samford and Furman but we were in better shape than them going in and remain so going out of last season.

[PaladinFan]

I agree that he has done a great job overall. The only problem is that he turned the team from 1 win to competitive so quickly that it seems as if he hasnt done aas good of a job as he has changing everything about the program. Last year was a step forward. Maybe not as big of a step forward as Samford and Furman but we were in better shape than them going in and remain so going out of last season.

Perhaps. Furman went from 3-8 to the second round of the playoffs in one season. UTC is taking tiny steps forward. Whatever gap UTC had opened up on Furman as program closed extremely quickly last year.

[blackbeard]

1. Furman
2. Chattanooga
3. Wofford
4. Samford
5. The Citadel
6. Western Carolina
7. Mercer
8. VMI

[longtimemocfan]

Because they routinely lose games they should win. More often than not their losses come from an inability to hold leads late in games. They are not necessarily getting out played.

I guess in a way I have to remember who your addressing. The part about losing late leads was a problem before last year, I think we did a better job of closing games last year.Samford game we had a depleted squad and GSU we lost on a very on questionable call.

[CID1990]

There is absolutely zero mention of The Citadel's best linebacker, even though we did have a LB on the 1st team D.