SWAC Preseason Selections: Teams, Players, Predicted Order | 2023

2023 Preseason All-SWAC Football teams and players selections, and Predicted Order of Finish.

BIRMINGHAM, AL. — The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its 2023 Preseason All-SWAC Football selections and Predicted Order of Finish on Tuesday during SWAC Football Media Day at the Sheraton Hotel in Downtown Birmingham.  The Preseason All-SWAC teams, Individual Winners, and Predicted Order of Finish was voted on by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors.

Florida A&M’s Jeremy Moussa was named Preseason Offensive Player of the Year while Grambling State’s Sundiata Anderson was tabbed Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Moussa completed a stellar 2022 campaign as he was named a 2022 All-SWAC Second Team selection at the conclusion of regular season play.  He ranked 18th in nation with 21 passing touchdowns and 22nd in nation with 2,735 passing yards while leading the Rattlers to a 9-2 overall record and a 7-1 mark in league play.

Anderson was one of the most dangerous edge rushes in the SWAC last season for the Grambling State defensive unit. In 2022, he tallied 56 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss.  He also was also a constant threat to opposing QBs, racking up eight sacks on the year, good for the sixth most in the conference.

The league’s 2023 Predicted Order of Finish was also announced as Florida A&M (116) was selected to finish in first place in the SWAC Eastern Division. Jackson State (94), Alabama State (80), Alabama A&M (73), Mississippi Valley State (35) and Bethune-Cookman (34) round out the East Division Preseason Poll rankings.

Southern (122) was tabbed to finish in first place in the SWAC Western Division.  Alcorn State (94), Texas Southern (73), Grambling State (69), Prairie View A&M (68), and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (33) round out the West Division Preseason Poll rankings.

A complete listing of the Preseason All-SWAC teams, Individual Winners, and Predicted Order of Finish is listed below.

Florida A&M football head coach Willie Simmons looks on during the Orange and Green Spring Game at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, Saturday, April 15, 2023 Willie Simmons; Credit:© Gerald Thomas / USA TODAY NETWORK

SWAC East

1. Florida A&M- 116 points (16)
2. Jackson State- 94 points (2)
3. Alabama State- 80 points (2)
4. Alabama A&M- 73 points (2)
5. Mississippi Valley State- 35 points (2)
6. Bethune-Cookman- 34 points

Feb 25, 2023; New Orleans, LA, USA; Team Robinson co-head coach Eric Dooley looks on against Team Gaither during the first half of the HBCU Legacy Bowl at Yulman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

SWAC West

1. Southern- 122 points (13)
2. Alcorn State- 94 points (6)
3. Texas Southern- 73 points (1)
4. Grambling State- 69 points (2)
5. Prairie View A&M- 68 points (2)
6. Arkansas-Pine Bluff- 33 points

*First place votes listed in parenthesis ( )

2023 SWAC Football Preseason Team

Aug 27, 2022; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers quarterback Jeremy Moussa (8) throws a pass during the first half against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year

Jeremy Moussa, Florida A&M

Grambling State Tigers defensive lineman Sundiata Anderson (9) is held back by his teammates after a fight during a game between Florida A&M University and Grambling at Bragg Memorial Stadium on FAMU's homecoming Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. Famu Vs Grambling 103021 Ts 1613; Credit:© Tori Lynn Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat / USA TODAY NETWORK

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year

Sundiata Anderson, Grambling State

All-SWAC First Team Offense

• Quarterback: Jeremy Moussa, Florida A&M
• Running Back: Jarveon Howard, Alcorn State
• Running Back: Donovan Eaglin, Alabama A&M
• Offensive Lineman: Jalen Goss, Florida A&M
• Offensive Lineman: Jonathan Williams, Alabama A&M
• Offensive Lineman: Will Ready, Alcorn State
• Offensive Lineman: Cameron Covin, Florida A&M
• Offensive Lineman: T.J. Yarbrough, Alcorn State
• Wide Receiver: Jah'Marae Sheread, Florida A&M
• Wide Receiver: Derek Morton, Texas Southern
• Tight End: D.J. Stevens, Jackson State

All-SWAC First Team Defense

• Defensive Lineman: Malachi Bailey, Alcorn State
• Defensive Lineman: Sundiata Anderson, Grambling State
• Defensive Lineman: Tahj Brown, Southern
• Defensive Lineman: Zareon Hayes, Alabama A&M
• Linebacker: Colton Adams, Alabama State
• Linebacker: Lewis Matthews, Grambling State
• Linebacker: Isaiah Major, Florida A&M
• Defensive Back: Omari Hill-Robinson, Bethune-Cookman
• Defensive Back: Javan Morgan, Florida A&M
• Defensive Back: Jordan Carter, Southern
• Defensive Back: Kendall Bohler, Florida A&M

All-SWAC First Team Specialist

• Place Kicker: Joshua Griffin, Southern
• Punter: Jimmy Iles, Grambling State
• Return Specialist: Darnell Deas, Bethune-Cookman
• Long Snapper: Jason Longcor, Alcorn State

Andrew Body vs. Jackson State on Nov. 5, 2022; Credit: Kyle A. Mosley, HBCU Legends

All-SWAC Second Team Offense

• Quarterback: Andrew Body, Texas Southern
• Running Back: Jacorey Howard, Texas Southern
• Running Back: Ahmad Antoine, Prairie View A&M
• Offensive Lineman: Eli Fields, Southern
• Offensive Lineman: Arrington Taylor, Prairie View A&M
• Offensive Lineman: Ryan Atkins-Frazier, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
• Offensive Lineman: Robert Alston, Alabama State
• Offensive Lineman: Mehdi Torrence, Texas Southern
• Wide Receiver: Lyndon Rash, Grambling State
• Wide Receiver: Marcus Riley, Florida A&M
• Tight End: Kamari Young, Florida A&M

All-SWAC Second Team Defense

• Defensive Lineman: Ckelby Givens, Southern
• Defensive Lineman: Michael Akins, Texas Southern
• Defensive Lineman: Kendarius Clark, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
• Defensive Lineman: Gentle Hunt, Florida A&M
• Linebacker: Jalan Campbell, Southern
• Linebacker: Rico Dozier, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
• Linebacker: Terreance Ellis, Alcorn State
• Defensive Back: Adrian Maddox, Alabama State
• Defensive Back: Cail Jackson, Alabama State
• Defensive Back: Kevin Thomas, Grambling State
• Defensive Back: Kriston Davis, Southern

All-SWAC Second Team Specialist

• Place Kicker: Anthony Turnage, Mississippi Valley State
• Punter: Robens Beauplan, Southern
• Return Specialist: Chaunzavia Lewis, Texas Southern
• Long Snapper: Braxston Blackwell, Southern