2015 SoCon Coaches Preseason All-League Teams

[smallcollegefbfan]

2015 Southern Conference Football
Preseason All-Conference Teams

Offensive Player of the Year: Jacob Huesman, Sr., QB, Chattanooga
Defensive Players of the Year: Michael Pierce, Sr., DL, Samford

First Team Offense
QB Jacob Huesman, Sr., QB, Chattanooga
RB Alex Lakes, So., Mercer
RB Denzel Williams, Jr., Samford
OL Sam Frye, Sr., The Citadel
OL Joe Turner, Sr., Furman
OL Gunnar Bromelow, Sr., Samford
OL Corey Levin, Jr., Chattanooga
OL Anton Wahrby, Jr., Wofford
TE Duncan Fletcher, Jr., Furman
WR Karel Hamilton, Jr., Samford
WR Spearman Robinson, Jr., Western Carolina

First Team Defense
DL Mitchell Jeter, Sr., The Citadel
DL Michael Pierce, Sr., Samford
DL Josh Freeman, Sr., Chattanooga
DL Keionta Davis, Jr., Chattanooga
LB Cory Magwood, Sr., Furman
LB Justin Cooper, Sr., Samford
LB Nakevion Leslie, Jr., Chattanooga
DB James Bradberry, Sr., Samford
DB Dee Virgin, Jr., Chattanooga
DB Lucas Webb, So., Chattanooga
DB Trey Morgan, Jr., Western Carolina

First Team Specialists
PK Henrique Ribeiro, Jr., Chattanooga
P Brian Sanders, Sr., Wofford
RS Chandler Curtis, So., Mercer

Second Team Offense
QB Troy Mitchell, Sr., Western Carolina
RB Darius Ramsey, Sr., Western Carolina
RB Lorenzo Long, Jr., Wofford
OL Alec Hulmes, Sr., Samford
OL Jacob Revis, So., Chattanooga
OL Synjen Herren, Sr., Chattanooga
OL Josh Wineberg, Sr., Western Carolina
OL T.J. Chamberlain, Sr., Wofford
TE Tony Philpot, Sr., Samford
WR Jordan Snellings, Sr., Furman
WR C.J. Board, Jr., Chattanooga

Second Team Defense
DL John Mackey, Sr., Furman
DL Austin Barrett, So., Mercer
DL Helva Matungulu, Sr., Western Carolina
DL Caleb Hawkins, Sr., Western Carolina
(tie) DL E.J. Speller, Sr., Wofford
LB Tyler Ward, Jr., Mercer
LB Terrance Morris, So., Wofford
LB Drake Michaelson, Sr., Wofford
DB Alex Avant, Sr., Mercer
DB Jamerson Blount, Jr., Samford
DB Cedric Nettles, Jr., Chattanooga
DB Sertonuse Harris, Sr., Western Carolina

Second Team Specialists
PK Dillon Christopher, Jr., VMI
P Matt Shiel, So., Mercer
RS Will Gay, Sr., Wofford

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

[chattownmocs]

2015 Southern Conference Football
Preseason All-Conference Teams

Offensive Player of the Year: Jacob Huesman, Sr., QB, Chattanooga
Defensive Players of the Year: Michael Pierce, Sr., DL, Samford

First Team Offense
QB Jacob Huesman, Sr., QB, Chattanooga
RB Alex Lakes, So., Mercer
RB Denzel Williams, Jr., Samford
OL Sam Frye, Sr., The Citadel
OL Joe Turner, Sr., Furman
OL Gunnar Bromelow, Sr., Samford
OL Corey Levin, Jr., Chattanooga
OL Anton Wahrby, Jr., Wofford
TE Duncan Fletcher, Jr., Furman
WR Karel Hamilton, Jr., Samford
WR Spearman Robinson, Jr., Western Carolina

First Team Defense
DL Mitchell Jeter, Sr., The Citadel
DL Michael Pierce, Sr., Samford
DL Josh Freeman, Sr., Chattanooga
DL Keionta Davis, Jr., Chattanooga
LB Cory Magwood, Sr., Furman
LB Justin Cooper, Sr., Samford
LB Nakevion Leslie, Jr., Chattanooga
DB James Bradberry, Sr., Samford
DB Dee Virgin, Jr., Chattanooga
DB Lucas Webb, So., Chattanooga
DB Trey Morgan, Jr., Western Carolina

First Team Specialists
PK Henrique Ribeiro, Jr., Chattanooga
P Brian Sanders, Sr., Wofford
RS Chandler Curtis, So., Mercer

Second Team Offense
QB Troy Mitchell, Sr., Western Carolina
RB Darius Ramsey, Sr., Western Carolina
RB Lorenzo Long, Jr., Wofford
OL Alec Hulmes, Sr., Samford
OL Jacob Revis, So., Chattanooga
OL Synjen Herren, Sr., Chattanooga
OL Josh Wineberg, Sr., Western Carolina
OL T.J. Chamberlain, Sr., Wofford
TE Tony Philpot, Sr., Samford
WR Jordan Snellings, Sr., Furman
WR C.J. Board, Jr., Chattanooga

Second Team Defense
DL John Mackey, Sr., Furman
DL Austin Barrett, So., Mercer
DL Helva Matungulu, Sr., Western Carolina
DL Caleb Hawkins, Sr., Western Carolina
(tie) DL E.J. Speller, Sr., Wofford
LB Tyler Ward, Jr., Mercer
LB Terrance Morris, So., Wofford
LB Drake Michaelson, Sr., Wofford
DB Alex Avant, Sr., Mercer
DB Jamerson Blount, Jr., Samford
DB Cedric Nettles, Jr., Chattanooga
DB Sertonuse Harris, Sr., Western Carolina

Second Team Specialists
PK Dillon Christopher, Jr., VMI
P Matt Shiel, So., Mercer
RS Will Gay, Sr., Wofford

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

Seems pretty fair on our end. Not sure as a whole but I don't see any disrespect to the mocs.

[Toby]

So the 2014 SoCon team that was second in the conference in Scoring Offense and third in the conference in Total Offense, got 1 offense pick?

[superman7515]

So the 2014 SoCon team that was second in the conference in Scoring Offense and third in the conference in Total Offense, got 1 offense pick?

But look at the Patriot League schedule they played.

http://cdn.meme.am/instances/500x/61287977.jpg

[chattownmocs]

So the 2014 SoCon team that was second in the conference in Scoring Offense and third in the conference in Total Offense, got 1 offense pick?

Where were you ranked in conference games only? Im not saying you are wrong im just honestly asking.

BTW. Id take Chandler curtis over anyone in the league as a skill position playmaker.

[smallcollegefbfan]

So the 2014 SoCon team that was second in the conference in Scoring Offense and third in the conference in Total Offense, got 1 offense pick?

I think I had 2 or 3 from Mercer on my list. I am surprised Heres wasn't on there or that Curtis or Palmer was not. Having just 2 WRs on each team instead of 3 like in the postseason is definitely why. Benson from WCU would have been a strong candidate as well had there been 3. I do think your weak schedule hurt. You need a FBS game and a game against a top 30 caliber FCS team in OOC.

[FUBeAR]

I think I had 2 or 3 from Mercer on my list. I am surprised Heres wasn't on there

Samford LS, Hulmes, listed as 2nd Team OL (however that happened xcrazyx) probably 'bumped' Heres. Hard for Coaches to put too many players from a 1-6 team in 2014 on the Preseason All-SoCon Team, and to some extent, regardless of how those individual(s) played in 2014, particularly OLinemen with no posted 'stats' to 'document' their prior year play.

With Lakes, Curtis, Ward, and Avant all essentially 'no-brainers' and Barrett really shining as a True FR last year...and then adding a Transferring-in Punter to the nominations list; that probably didn't leave much 'appetite' for another Bear, such as Heres or Robert Brown, TE. I would think FU & El Cid Coaches could not have been happy at all about Mercer most likely having more players on the team than they did. I've heard there might just be a little bit of 'horse trading' ("I'll vote for your X iff'n you vote for my Y") that occurs in these selections. Don't know if that's true or not.



Rank
Team
# All-SoCon


1
Chatt
12


2
Samford
9


3
WCU
8


4
Wofford
8


6
Mercer
6


5
FU
5


7
Citadel
2


8
VMI
1




51



Also, with Herren back in the mix, lots of really good OLmen in the SoCon. I'd take any combination of 5 of those 10 (+ Heres / - Long Snapper) and look like a GREAT OL Coach.

[SU DOG]

Glad for Hulmes, but BeAR, I was also shocked that our LS was on there. Very happy to see that Michael Pierce gets the Defensive POY. I really wonder how many FCS defensive linemen are WAY over 300 lbs. and can move like he can. Huesman, and deservedly so, a no brainer for O-POY.

[Toby]

Where were you ranked in conference games only? Im not saying you are wrong im just honestly asking.

BTW. Id take Chandler curtis over anyone in the league as a skill position playmaker.

The SoCon website appears to only have total stats. If anyone knows where the conference only stats are, I'd like to see those.

I will also say I think it is odd to include a transfer punter who had 2 punts last year for a 32.5 yard average. However, for Mercer I hope he averages 45 ypg this year. He must look really good on tape!

[PaladinFan]

So the 2014 SoCon team that was second in the conference in Scoring Offense and third in the conference in Total Offense, got 1 offense pick?

You remember the part of the season where you played Ave Maria, Warner, Stetson, Austin Peay, and Reinhardt?

Not exactly iron curtain defenses the Bears faced.

[PaladinFan]

Light on Furman players, but two guys I think would have been locks for the team didn't play last year: Carl Rider and Eric Thoni.

Only snub, in my view, is Trey Robinson, who missed a few games last year.

[FUBeAR]

You remember the part of the season where you played Ave Maria, Warner, Stetson, Austin Peay, and Reinhardt?

Not exactly iron curtain defenses the Bears faced.

So, you're praising Stalinism now? Always wondered if you were a closet Totalitarian. Now I know!

[FUBeAR]

Light on Furman players, but two guys I think would have been locks for the team didn't play last year: Eric Thoni.

Can he Long Snap? xeyebrowx

[Toby]

You remember the part of the season where you played Ave Maria, Warner, Stetson, Austin Peay, and Reinhardt?

Not exactly iron curtain defenses the Bears faced.

I would think that the straight up SoCon stats would suffice.

[smallcollegefbfan]

I would think that the straight up SoCon stats would suffice.

Mercer didn't beat any quality teams last year but they did play very close in most of their losses. Like I have always though, Mercer should be a contender in 2016 as they are making strides each year and seem to be about a year away from really challenging as long as they close the gap a little more this year.

[Toby]

Mercer didn't beat any quality teams last year but they did play very close in most of their losses. Like I have always though, Mercer should be a contender in 2016 as they are making strides each year and seem to be about a year away from really challenging as long as they close the gap a little more this year.

No argument with 2014. Most observers thought that Mercer's offense was way ahead of their defense last year. With almost all players returning, I just thought it odd that the SoCon coaches would view it differently with the defense as having more all conference players than the offense.

[FUBeAR]

Mercer didn't beat any quality teams last year but they did play very close in most of their losses. Like I have always though, Mercer should be a contender in 2016 as they are making strides each year and seem to be about a year away from really challenging as long as they close the gap a little more this year.

That's fair. I would like to see someone extract all of the OOC games from all of the SoCon teams' 2014 stats, though, for a true apples-to-apples comparison. Honestly, I think the Bears stats would take a pretty good 'hit,' but I'd like to see how much...and how that might compare to taking, for example, Brevard and Catawba out of WCU's, and taking PC & SCSU out of FU's....oh wait. Too soon? (JUST KIDDING MY FU FREENS - PULLING HARD FOR A 14-2 Season for the 'Dins this year!!!)

Seriously though - someone call Elias and have that done. My buddy, clenz, will pay them for their work. xhugx

[PaladinFan]

Mercer didn't beat any quality teams last year but they did play very close in most of their losses. Like I have always though, Mercer should be a contender in 2016 as they are making strides each year and seem to be about a year away from really challenging as long as they close the gap a little more this year.

I wrote this down somewhere, but I think Mercer has won 16 games the last two seasons. Only three of those games came against teams that finished with winning records (Reinhardt twice and Drake). I might have overlooked one.

[PaladinFan]

That's fair. I would like to see someone extract all of the OOC games from all of the SoCon teams' 2014 stats, though, for a true apples-to-apples comparison. Honestly, I think the Bears stats would take a pretty good 'hit,' but I'd like to see how much...and how that might compare to taking, for example, Brevard and Catawba out of WCU's, and taking PC & SCSU out of FU's....oh wait. Too soon? (JUST KIDDING MY FU FREENS - PULLING HARD FOR A 14-2 Season for the 'Dins this year!!!)

Seriously though - someone call Elias and have that done. My buddy, clenz, will pay them for their work. xhugx

I get your point, but Furman's offense was utterly abysmal against PC and SCSU. I think we scored 14 points total. Furman's offensive numbers would look a lot better without those two games.

[tenNesseeCat]

taking, for example, Brevard and Catawba out of WCU's

Ok, if we can also remove Bama and USF. There were good and bad stats for us in those games. vs USF we had 458 yds of offense, with twice as many first downs and a higher 3rd down efficiency. We just gave up 485 yds of big plays on D. We were also short 4 players, one of which was our #1 receiver. vs Bama, we were 23/39 for 221 passing yds and 2 TDs. We were the only team to score on our opening drive vs them, all year. Again, we couldn't stop them at 612 yds of O, but we were +2 in the TO margin. That would remove 1,100 yds and 10 TDs from our D.

[FUBeAR]

Ok, if we can also remove Bama and USF. There were good and bad stats for us in those games. vs USF we had 458 yds of offense, with twice as many first downs and a higher 3rd down efficiency. We just gave up 485 yds of big plays on D. We were also short 4 players, one of which was our #1 receiver. vs Bama, we were 23/39 for 221 passing yds and 2 TDs. We were the only team to score on our opening drive vs them, all year. Again, we couldn't stop them at 612 yds of O, but we were +2 in the TO margin. That would remove 1,100 yds and 10 TDs from our D.

I'll allow it :-)

[walliver]

Ok, if we can also remove Bama and USF. There were good and bad stats for us in those games. vs USF we had 458 yds of offense, with twice as many first downs and a higher 3rd down efficiency. We just gave up 485 yds of big plays on D. We were also short 4 players, one of which was our #1 receiver. vs Bama, we were 23/39 for 221 passing yds and 2 TDs. We were the only team to score on our opening drive vs them, all year. Again, we couldn't stop them at 612 yds of O, but we were +2 in the TO margin. That would remove 1,100 yds and 10 TDs from our D.

This is one reason I tend to ignore stats, especially defensive stats. Most likely USF and Bama weren't psyched up to play WCU, and WCU wasn't psyched up to play the D2 games. Coaches try to motivate their players, by this is basic human nature. There is also the tendency in these games to substitute early.