Braves Listed In A Pair Of Preseason Polls

PEMBROKE – With just 93 days remaining until UNCP kicks off its 2010 campaign, the Braves have already received attention from a pair of preseason publications, checking into both the Sporting News and Lindy’s preseason NCAA Division II top 25 polls.

The Braves made their highest debut in the Sporting News Top 25, settling in at No. 8, while also sending defensive back Caylon Hann to a spot on the preseason all-America squad. The Black and Gold are also listed 14th in the Lindy’s preseason poll.

Carson-Newman checked in at 11th in the Sporting News listing and ninth in Lindy’s edition of the poll. The Eagles are the only 2010 opponent for the Braves listed in either publication.

The Braves return 18 starters from last season’s 9-2 club that became the youngest program in the history of NCAA Division II football to advance to the playoffs. The Black and Gold will also feature 27 seniors on its roster as well.

SPORTING NEWS DIVISION II PRESEASON TOP 25
1. Northwest Missouri State
2. Grand Valley State
3. West Liberty
4. Minnesota-Duluth
5. California (PA)
6. Nebraska-Kearney
7. Central Washington
8. UNC Pembroke
9. Edinboro (PA)
10. North Alabama
11. Carson-Newman (TN)
12. Minnesota State
13. Hillsdale (MI)
14. Abilene Christian (TX)
15. Tarleton State (TX)
16. Missouri Western
17. Tuskegee (AL)
18. Texas A&M-Kingsville
19. Shippensburg (PA)
20. Saginaw Valley State (MI)
21. East Stroudsburg (PA)
22. West Texas A&M
23. Arkansas Tech
24. West Alabama
25. Midwestern State (TX)

Sporting News Pre-season Division II All-America Team
Offense
QB-Zach Amedro (West Liberty)
RB-Isaac Odim (Minnesota-Duluth)
RB-Jonas Randolph (Mars Hill)
RB-Rustin Dring (Nebraska-Kearney)
OL-Brett Grozinger (NW Missouri State)
OL-Cameron Bradfield (Grand Valley State)
OL-Brandon Fusco (Slippery Rock)
OL-Royland Tubbs (Abliene Christian)
OL-David Mims (Virginia Union)
TE-Ryan Travis (West Liberty)
WR-Jake Soy (NW Missouri State)
WR-Kashif Walls (West Liberty)
ATH-Trevar Deed (Delta State)
K-Greg Zuerlein (Nebraska-Omaha)

Defense
DL-Cedric Thornton (Southern Arkansas)
DL-Danny Richard (Grand Valley State)
DL-Xavier Brown (C.W. Post)
DL-Aston Whiteside (Abilene Christian)
LB-Robbie Aurich (Minnesota-Duluth)
LB-Matt Freed (East Stroudsburg)
LB-Nick Thomas (Wayne State, MI)
DB-Ron Parker (Newberry)
DB-Caylon Hann (UNC Pembroke)
DB-Branden Williams (Edinboro)
DB-Rodney Mitchell (Eastern New Mexico)
KR-Deante Steele (Shepherd)
P-Brian Schmedidebusch (Findlay)

LINDY'S MAGAZINE PRESEASON DIVISION II TOP 25
1. Northwest Missouri State
2. Grand Valley State (MI)
3. West Liberty
4. North Alabama
5. Minnesota-Duluth
6. California (PA)
7. Central Washington
8. Tarleton State (TX)
9. Carson-Newman (TN)
10. Midwestern State (TX)
11. Nebraska-Kearney
12. Saginaw Valley State (MI)
13. Minnesota State
14. UNC Pembroke
15. Shippensburg (PA)
16. Bloomsburg (PA)
17. Abilene Christian (TX)
18. East Stroudsburg (PA)
19. Hillsdale (MI)
20. Missouri Western
21. Arkansas Tech
22. Texas A&M-Kingsville
23. West Alabama
24. Edinboro (PA)
25. Tuskegee (AL)