'Jacks Place 12 on Preseason All-SLC Teams
7/27/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 27, 2011
LAKE CHARLES, La. - The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks had a league-best 12 players named to the 2011 Preseason All-Southland Conference teams announced league officials at the SLC Media Days in Lake Charles, La., Wednesday afternoon. SFA also had a league-best eight first-team selections.
The Lumberjacks return nine starters on offense from last years SLC Championship squad, which led the nation in passing offense for a second consecutive season. A key factor in the 'Jacks' production during that stretch has been receivers Gralyn Crawford and Cordell Roberson. The east Texas juniors were a dominant one-two punch last season hauling in 135 passes for nearly 2,000 yards and 21 touchdowns. Crawford led the team with 74 receptions, while Roberson led the team in receiving yards (1,011) and a nation best 16 touchdown receptions. Crawford also received first-team honors as a return specialist. A 2010 All-American, Crawford was among the nation's leaders averaging better than 28 yards per kick return and he returned three kicks and a punt for a touchdown.
A huge reason for SFA's offensive production has been its front five. SFA's offensive line protected 2010 Walter Payton Award recipient Jeremy Moses last season, and three of those lineman have garnered 2011 first-team honors. Senior George Bias is a 2010 first-team selection who is joined by juniors John Steel and Corey Dickerson. Both Steel and Dickerson earned second-team honors following the 2010 campaign.
Junior cornerback Josh Aubrey represents SFA on the first-team defense. A Tyler, Texas native, Aubrey has become one of the nation's top corners over the first two years of his career. Aubrey finished the 2010 season among the team leaders with 77 total tackles, including seven four losses. A real impact player in the 'Jacks' secondary, Aubrey recorded 10 pass deflections and picked off two passes last season.
Senior Drew Nelson joined Crawford as one of two specialist on the preseason first-team. One of the more consistent punters in the nation over the course of his career, Nelson has averaged better than 40 yards per punt in each of his three seasons on campus, and has improved his average every year. Nelson has recorded 20 punts of at least 50 yards during his career, and enters his final season with a 41.3 yards per punt average.
SFA had four players garner second-team recognition including three players on the defense. Sophomore defensive end Darren Robinson, sophomore defensive back Caleb Nelson and senior linebacker Devin Ducote garnered second-team recognition on defense, while junior receiver Anthony Foster is a second-team receiver.
The trio of Ducote, Nelson and Robinson helped SFA become the conference's top defense during league action last season. The 'Jacks led the league in total defense surrendering less than 317 yards per game.
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