BIRMINGHAM, Ala. |
The Grambling State University football
team placed four members on the 2019 All-Southwestern Athletic
Conference (SWAC) Preseason football team, the conference announced on
Tuesday morning during SWAC Football Media Day held at the Westin Hotel.
Defensive back Joseph McWilliams and
defensive lineman Anfernee Mullins were selected to the All-SWAC
Preseason First Team, while offensive lineman William
Waddell and defensive back Danquarian Fields were named to the Second
Team.
In the 2019 Preseason Predicted Order
of Finish, Grambling State garnered 74 points to claim the third spot.
Southern (90 points) was chosen to win the Western
Division, while Prairie View A&M (78 points) was predicted second.
Texas Southern (34 points) and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (24 points) rounded
out the Western Division.
In the Eastern Division, SWAC defending
champions Alcorn State received 92 points to earn the top spot. Alabama
A&M (70 points), Jackson State (61 points),
Alabama State (47 points) and Mississippi Valley State (30 points)
completed the predicted order of finish from the Eastern Division.
McWilliams,
a First-Team All-SWAC honoree in 2018, immediately made an
impact this season in the Tigers’ secondary. He ranked fourth
nationally and second in the SWAC in blocked kicks, with three. The
Baton Rouge, La. native registered four interceptions, one returned 20
yards for a touchdown against Alabama A&M. Nationally,
McWilliams is 15th in FCS in interceptions per game and first in the
SWAC. He finished with 32 tackles, including 27 solo stops. In addition,
he had three pass breakups and one tackle for loss.
Mullins, an All-SWAC Second-Team selection last season,
was second on the team with five sacks to bolster the Tiger defensive
line. The Aliceville, Ala. native recorded 25 tackles, including 10 for a
loss of 50 yards. In
addition, Mullins tailed six quarterback hurries, one pass breakup and
one forced fumble.
Waddell suited up and played in one
game during the 2018 season (Bayou Classic) as he earned a medical
redshirt. Last season he was named to the 2018 All-SWAC Preseason First
Team, HBCU Gameday
Preseason All-American Team, Phil Steele SWAC Preseason First Team and
BOXTOROW Preseason All-American Team.
Fields led the team in tackles,
registering 59 total tackles, including a team-high 35 solo stops in
nine games played. He added 1.5 tackles for a loss of three yards. In
addition, Fields
registered three fumble recoveries, two pass deflections, one pass
breakup and one interception.
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the official home of Grambling State Athletics at gsutigers.com.
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