GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Southern Conference announced the results of its 2023 football preseason polls and All-SoCon teams on Thursday at its annual media day, with Alex Oliver (defense) and Jack Culbreath (specialist) being named to the first team, while Evan Eller (defense) and Tyriq Poindexter (offense) garnered second team honors.

A steady presence in the secondary since his freshman year, Oliver led VMI in interceptions (3), passes defended (13) and pass break ups (10), being named All-SoCon First Team Defense by both the Coaches and the Media in 2022. Oliver's 10 break ups were fourth in the league and 24^th in the country, while the Atlee High School product was fourth on the team in tackles with 74.0. With 27 career pass break ups in his career, Oliver enters his senior season 10^th among active players in the FCS in that category.

A specialist with no shortage of accolades, Culbreath is coming off a 2022 season in which he ranked ninth in FCS with an average punt distance of 43.6 yards per kick. A native of Charlottesville, Culbreath also handled the kicking duties last season en route to his second consecutive All-SoCon First Team Specialist honor after registering career-highs in touchbacks (5) and fair catches (15).

Second only to All-American and two-time All-Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year Stone Snyder, Eller recorded 99 tackles in 2022. Recording at least six tackles in all by one game, Eller totaled 7.0 tackles for loss and had a monster game at No. 10 Samford with a career-high 17.0 tackles (1.5 TFL). Playing a versatile linebacker role, Eller's 9.0 tackles per game ranked third among FCS defenders at the end of the season.

The Keydets will welcome the return of Poindexter to its offensive line, which returns just two starters from 2022. A redshirt sophomore, Poindexter appeared in three games as a freshman in 2021 and was primed for a prominent role in 2022 before suffering an injury. Standing at 6-foot-5, 300 pounds, Poindexter will line up alongside returning starters Tommy Inge and Austin Doyle.
To view the full results of the polls and preseason teams, visit soconsports.com.

2023 Preseason Southern Conference Coaches Poll
Team (1st-place votes)            Total
T1. Furman (5)                          59
T1. Samford (4)                         59
3. Mercer                                  49
4. Chattanooga                         47
5. Western Carolina                   35
6. ETSU                                   29
7. Wofford                                22
8. The Citadel                           14
9. VMI                                      10 

2023 Preseason All-Southern Conference Football Teams
Offensive Player of the Year: Michael Hiers, Sr., QB, Samford
Defensive Player of the Year: Jay Person, Sr., DL, Chattanooga
 
First team offense
QB       Michael Hiers, Sr., Samford
RB       Dominic Roberto, R-Sr., Furman
RB       Ailym Ford, Sr., Chattanooga
OL        Jacob Johanning, R-Sr., Furman
OL        Pearson Toomey, R-Sr., Furman
OL        John Thomas, Sr., Mercer
OL        Jabari Brooks, Jr., Samford
OL        Reid Williams, Jr., Chattanooga
OL        Tyler Smith, R-Sr., Western Carolina
TE        Ajay Belanger, Sr., Western Carolina
WR      Devron Harper, Sr., Mercer
WR      Ty James, R-Jr., Mercer
WR      Chandler Smith, Sr., Samford
 
First team defense
DL        Solomon Zubairu, Sr., Mercer
DL        Joseph Mera, Sr., Samford
DL        Ben Brewton, Sr., Chattanooga
DL        Jay Person, Sr., Chattanooga
DL        Micah Nelson, Jr., Western Carolina
LB        Braden Gilby, Gr., Furman
LB        Isaac Dowling, Jr., Mercer
LB        Noah Martin, Jr., Samford
DB       Travis Blackshear, Gr., Furman
DB       Hugh Ryan, R-Sr., Furman
DB       Kourtlan Marsh, Jr., Samford
DB       Kameron Brown, Sr., Chattanooga
DB       Alex Oliver, Sr., VMI
DB       Andreas Keaton, Jr., Western Carolina

First team specialists
PK        Richard McCollum, R-Sr., Western Carolina
P          Jack Culbreath, Sr., VMI
LS        Julian Ashby, R-Jr., Furman
RS       Devron Harper, Sr., Mercer
 
Second team offense
QB       Tyler Huff, Gr., Furman
RB       Jay Stanton, Sr., Samford
RB       Desmond Reid, So., Western Carolina
OL        Israel Mukwiza, R-Jr., Mercer
OL        Bryce Goodner, R-So., Chattanooga
OL       Tyriq Poindexter, R-So., VMI
OL        Christian Coulter, Sr., Western Carolina
OL        Jason Swann, Sr., Wofford
TE        Noah West, R-Jr., ETSU
WR      Will Huzzie, R-Sr., ETSU
WR      Joshua Harris, Jr., Furman
 
Second team defense
DL        Max Evans, R-Jr., ETSU
DL        Jack Barton, R-Sr., Furman
DL        Sirod Cook, Gr., Furman
DL        Matt Sochovka, Gr., Furman
DL        Savio Frazier, Jr., Mercer
DL        Marlon Taylor, R-Jr., Chattanooga
DL        Chuck Smith, Sr., Wofford
LB        Ken Standley, R-Jr., Mercer
LB        Evan Eller, Sr., VMI
LB        Antoine Williams, R-Jr., Western Carolina
DB       Sheldon Arnold II, Jr., ETSU
DB       Kam Brinson, R-Sr., Furman
DB       Richie Coffey, Sr., Mercer
DB       Myles Redding, Jr., Mercer
DB       Lance Wise, Sr., Mercer
DB       Reuben Lowery III, Jr., Chattanooga
 
Second team specialists
PK        Ian Williams, R-Jr., Furman
P          Trace Kelley, R-So., ETSU
LS        Ryan Phillips, So., ETSU
RS       Wayne Anderson Jr., R-Sr., Furman
 
NOTE: Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own players or team.
 
2023 Preseason Southern Conference Media Poll
Team (1st-place votes)            Total
1. Furman (30)                          345
2. Samford (8)                           316
3. Mercer (2)                             263
4. Chattanooga                         250
5. Western Carolina                   218
6. ETSU                                   143
7. The Citadel                           103
8. Wofford                                102
9. VMI                                      60