NORFOLK, Va. (July 25, 2008) – Six members of the Delaware State University Football Team earned 2008 Preseason All-MEAC Honors as announced by the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference today. Defensive tackle Ronn Spinner, Jr. and linebacker Josh Pope were named first team selections while quarterback Vashon Winton, running back Kareem Jones and offensive linemen Adrian Brown and Nick Richmond garnered second team honors.

"Having six guys on the All-MEAC Team gives you an idea of the quality and quantity of depth that we have this year", said Head Coach Al Lavan. "It’s a testament to the determination and drive that each of those players have by being honored among the elite in the MEAC heading into the season."

Spinner, Jr., competed in all 12 games for the Hornets last season. The Lorton, Va., native finished fourth on the team in tackles (tops among defensive linemen) in 2007 with 63. His 7.5 tackles-for-loss were second-best on the squad. His 3.5 sacks in 2008 tied the 6-foot-3 senior for second on the team.

Pope, the team’s second-leading tackler a year ago (75), racked up 40 unassisted tackles in 2008. The Philadelphia, Pa., native had seven tackles-for-loss, two forced fumbles and three quarterback hurries during the Hornets’ championship run last season.

An All-MEAC first team selection in 2007, Brown comes into the 2008 season as the team’s starting left tackle. Last season, the Baltimore, Md., native helped lead the Hornets to a No. 1 ranking in the MEAC, and a No. 8 in the nation in sacks allowed (0.92 pg).

Jones, who finished eighth in the MEAC in rushing yards last season (705 yards), led DSU averaging 96.4 all-purpose yards-per-game. The team’s leading rusher in his first season in Dover, Jones finished 2007 with 20 receptions for 172 yards.

Richmond, the Hornet’s starting center last season, along with Brown, helped DSU to a No. 1 ranking in the MEAC, and a No. 8 in the nation in sacks allowed (0.92 pg) in 2007. Last year, Richmond was named to the 10th annual Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association Academic All-Star Team.

Below is a complete listing of the 2008 Preseason All-MEAC Team:

First Team

Offense

QB – T.J. Mitchell (r-Jr.) Hampton
RB – William Ford (Jr.) SC State
RB – Phillip Sylvester (So.) Florida A&M
TE – Taj Jenkines (Jr.) Florida A&M
WR- Jeremy Gilchrist (r-Sr.) Hampton
WR – Jamar Johnson (r-Sr.) Norfolk State
OL – Dennis Conley (Sr.) Hampton
OL – Jamien Banks (r-Sr.) Norfolk State
OL – Devon Dawson (Jr.) SC State
OL – Dwayne Delaney (Sr.) Morgan State
C- Raymond Harrison SC State

Defense

DL-Clarence McPherson (Sr.) Morgan State
DL- Ronn Spinner (Sr.) Delaware State
DL- Dexter Jackson (Jr.) Bethune-Cookman
DL- Cedric Lloyd (Sr.) SC State
LB- Endor Cooper (Sr.) Howard
LB- Josh Pope (r-Jr.) Delaware State
LB – Jarrell Guyton (Sr.) Morgan State
LB – Vernon Wilder (r-Sr.) Florida A&M
DB – Terrell Whitehead (Jr.) Norfolk State
DB- Markee Hamlin (Jr.) SC State
DB – Sam Pope (Sr.) Hampton
DB – Chris Williams (Sr.) Morgan State
P – Jahmal Blanchard (Jr.) Hampton
P/K – James Meade (Sr.) Morgan State
Ret.- Jeremy Gilchrist (r-Sr.) Hampton

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Will Ford, SC State

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Endor Cooper, Howard

Second Team

Offense

QB – Vashon Winton (r-Sr.) Delaware State
RB- Michael Ferguson (Sr.) North Carolina A&T
RB- Kareem Jones (Sr.) Delaware State
TE- Octavius Darby (Sr.) SC State
WR-Kevin Teel (Sr.) Hampton
WR-Oliver Young (Jr.) SC State
WR-Jeremy Wicker (r-So.) Norfolk State
OL –Anthony Collins (r-Jr.) Florida A&M
OL-Reubin Mordecai (r-Sr.) Bethune-Cookman
OL- Robert Norris (Sr.) Morgan State
OL- Michael Ola (r-So.) Hampton\
OL-Adrian Brown (Sr.) Delaware State
C-Nick Richmond (r-Jr.) Delaware State

Defense

DL-Tyre Glasper (Sr.) North Carolina A&T
DL-James Simmons (Sr.) SC State
DL-Keyon Brooks (Sr.) SC State
DL-Dennis Marsh (r-Sr.) Norfolk State
LB-Andre Thornton (Jr.) North Carolina A&T
LB-Tony White (Sr.) SC State
LB-Charles Robinson (r-Sr.) Hampton
DB-Curtis Holcomb (So.) Florida A&M
DB-Antoine Cox (Jr.) Bethune-Cookman
DB-Don Carey (Sr.) Norfolk State
DB-Brandon Colbert (Sr.) North Carolina A&T
P-Andre Haire (Jr.) SC State
P/K-Carlo Turavani (So.) Hampton
Ret.-Corey Council (Sr.) Bethune-Cookman

Also announced today was the preseason prediction as voted on by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors. Delaware State finished second in the voting, 20 points behind South Carolina State. Last season DSU placed third in the preseason poll en route to claiming the team’s sixth MEAC Football Championship.

The complete preseason poll is listed below:

1. South Carolina State (6) 272
2. Delaware State (6) 252
3. Norfolk State (2) 216
4. Hampton (2) 214
5. Morgan State 170
6. Florida A&M 120
7. Bethune-Cookman (1) 91
8. Howard 85
9. North Carolina A&T 35

(First Place votes in parentheses)