Preseason All-SIAC Team and Rankings | 2023

The 2023 preseason SIAC Champions, conference teams, and rankings were announced at Media Day.

ATLANTA - During the 2023 SIAC Media Day, the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) announced the All-SIAC preseason football team, comprising 26 players from the 2022 SIAC Football All-Conference team.

The SIAC announced Kelvin Durham from Fort Valley State as the conference's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Loobert Denelus from Benedict College was voted the 2023 SIAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year - Kelvin Durham, QB, Fort Valley State University

Durham achieved notable accolades in his second season directing the FVSU offense, including the SIAC Newcomer of the Year, Freshman of the Year, and a spot on the All-SIAC 1st Team as a quarterback. His exceptional performance propelled him to the top ranks in various offensive categories within the SIAC. 

Leading the league in passing touchdowns and total offense yards with 2,252 yards, he proved an essential asset for his team. Durham consistently displayed his prowess, ranking second in total offense per game with an average of 225.2 yards, as well as in total offense touchdowns (19), passing yards (1,994 yards), and pass completions (147). 

His passing accuracy was commendable, completing 147 of 242 passes, resulting in 16 touchdowns and only four interceptions. Throughout the season, he accumulated 1,994 passing yards with a completion rate of 60.74%. Additionally, he showcased his versatility by rushing 44 times for 258 yards and scoring three touchdowns, averaging an impressive 5.9 yards per carry. 

Durham had six games where he passed for 198 or more yards, consistently impacting the field. Among his standout performances, he had a remarkable game against Allen, completing 20 of 32 passes for a season-high 334 yards, with three touchdowns. In another amazing display of his skills, he went 15-of-25 for 255 yards and threw five touchdowns while rushing six times for 60 yards against Morehouse.

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year - Loobert Denelus, DL, Benedict College

In the 2022 season, Denelus was recognized as the SIAC Defensive Player of the Year and earned a spot on the AFCA All-American team, solidifying his status as one of the top defensive players in the league. His impact was evident in his outstanding rankings in crucial defensive categories. 

He led the SIAC and ranked fifth in Division II in sacks per game, averaging an impressive 1.17. Additionally, Denelus showcased his ability to disrupt opposing offenses by ranking second in the SIAC and ninth in Division II in tackles for loss (TFL), with an average of 1.8 TFL per game.

As a leader of the Benedict defense, he played an instrumental role in their success. Under his guidance, the defense held opponents to an average of 12.9 points per game, making them the top-ranked defense in the SIAC and fourth in Division II. Furthermore, their total defense was formidable, allowing only 248.2 yards per game, ranking them first in the SIAC and seventh in Division II.

2023 SIAC Football Preseason Rankings

1. Benedict College
2. Albany State University
3. Tuskegee University
4. Fort Valley State University
5. Savannah State University
6. Lane College
7. Edward Waters University
8. Miles College
9.  Central State University
10. Clark Atlanta University
11. Allen University
12. Kentucky State University
13. Morehouse College

Individual Preseason Honors

All-SIAC First Team

Position	Name	School	Classification	Hometown
Offensive Lineman	Josh Simon	Albany State	Senior	Atlanta, GA
Offensive Lineman	Kyle Frazier	Savannah State	Junior	Augusta, GA
Offensive Lineman	Riyon Adams	Savannah State	Junior	Vidalia, GA
Offensive Lineman	Kyle Frazier	Savannah State	Junior	Augusta, GA
Offensive Lineman	Jemeil Jackson	Fort Valley State	Junior	Hampton, GA
Tight End	Gentry Sparks	Fort Valley State	Junior	Tallahassee, FL
Wide Receiver	Jacquez Jones	Lane	Junior	Orlando, FL
Wide Receiver	Corintheus Edmonds	Fort Valley State	Senior	Atlanta, GA
Running Back	Noah Zaire Scotland	Benedict	Sophomore	Walhalla, S.C.
Running Back	Shamarcus Poole	Savannah State	Junior	Sandersville, GA
Quarterback	Kelvin Durham	Fort Valley State	Sophomore	Homestead, FL
Defensive Lineman	Tim Alderman	Fort Valley State	Junior	Fort Valley, GA
Defensive Lineman	Loobert Denelus	Benedict	Senior	Naples, FL
Defensive Lineman	Jeremy Dees	Tuskegee	Senior	Evergreen, AL
Defensive Lineman	Mike White	Central State	Sophomore	Springfield, OH
Linebacker	Vincent Hill	Tuskegee	Sophomore	Fairburn, GA
Linebacker	Jalil Lenore	Central State	Sophomore	Chicago, IL
Linebacker	Kentrell Lawson	Fort Valley State	Junior	Marianna, FL
Defensive Back	Zelly Aldridge	Tuskegee	Junior	Gallon, AL
Defensive Back	Jaree Turner	Albany State	Junior	Ocala, FL
Defensive Back	Walter Tatum	Lane	Junior	Notasulga, AL
Defensive Back	Landon Austin	Fort Valley State	Sophomore	Montezuma, GA
Kicker	Noah Shalz	Lane	Sophomore	Smyrna, TN
Punter	Ryan Duff	Tuskegee	Senior	Mobile, AL
Punt Returner	Hakeem Ellington	Fort Valley State	Senior	Summerville, S.C.
Kick Returner	Jaylin Peterson	Miles	Junior	Birmingham, AL

ALL-SIAC Second Team

Position	Name	School	Classification	Hometown
Offensive Lineman	Eric Blair	Miles	Senior	Miami, FL
Offensive Lineman	Tyler Lowery	Miles	Senior	Evergreen, AL
Offensive Lineman	Mitchell Romig	Benedict	Junior	Jacksonville, FL
Offensive Lineman	Roger Smith	Benedict	Sophomore	Cleveland, OH
Offensive Lineman	Dylan Lampkin	Edward Waters	Senior	Jacksonville, FL
Tight End	Henry Calixte	Lane	Sophomore	Orlando, FL
Wide Receiver	Brandon Brock	Central State	Senior	Norfolk, VA
Wide Receiver	Antonio Meeks	Tuskegee	Sophomore	Lilburn, GA
Running Back	Kamran Ward	Albany State	Junior	Oscilla, GA
Running Back	Deondra Duehart	Benedict	Sophomore	Macon, GA
Quarterback	Dionte Bonneau	Albany State	Junior	Atlanta, GA
Defensive Lineman	Jayden Broughton	Benedict	Junior	Monks Corner, S.C.
Defensive Lineman	Aaron Miller	Benedict	Junior	Decatur, GA
Defensive Lineman	Roosevelt Thompson	Miles	Junior	Dixon Mills, AL
Defensive Lineman	Jalen Pugh	Albany State	Sophomore	Jonesboro, GA
Linebacker	Dialo Mosley	Fort Valley State	Sophomore	Atlanta, GA
Linebacker	Gary Bourrage	Allen	Senior	Kemper, MS
Linebacker	Dedrick Starkes	Benedict	Junior	Columbia, S.C.
Defensive Back	Joshua Heyward	Benedict	Junior	Johns Island, S.C.
Defensive Back	Dartrelle Rolle	Edward Waters	Senior	Miami, FL
Defensive Back	Graderius Brown	Miles	Junior	Linden, AL
Defensive Back	Antonio Kennon Jr.	Tuskegee	Junior	Atlanta, GA
Kicker	Kenneth Lockhart	Savannah State	Senior	Hinesville, GA
Punter	Ishmael Sanders	Edward Waters	Senior	Jacksonville, FL
Punt Returner	Rashad Jordan	Albany State	Senior	Atlanta, GA
Kick Returner	Justin Harris	Fort Valley State	Junior	Fort Valley, GA