NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State was picked to finish fifth in the MEAC football race and had four players selected to the preseason All-MEAC teams in the preseason poll of head coaches and sports information directors, released Friday at the annual kickoff luncheon and media day.
The Spartans garnered 274 total points and received one first-place vote. South Carolina State, which has won or shared the MEAC title the last three seasons, was tabbed the preseason favorite with 468 points and six first-place votes. The other two squads to tie with B-CU for the MEAC crown last year – Bethune-Cookman (eight first-place votes, 454 points) and Florida A&M (five, 420) – were second and third, respectively. Hampton (one, 321) was predicted fourth.
The Spartans had three preseason first-team All-MEAC selections: quarterback Chris Walley, offensive lineman Kendall Noble and nose guard Josh Turner. Joining that trio of seniors in receiving preseason recognition was fellow senior Corwin Hammond, who was named to the preseason All-MEAC second team at linebacker.
Walley is the MEAC's leading returning passer. He threw for 1,859 yards and 10 touchdowns last year while completing a school single-season record 61.4 percent of his passes. Walley also rushed for 190 yards in his first season at NSU after transferring from Joliet (Ill.) Junior College.
Noble is a two-time second-team All-MEAC selection, earning postseason accolades following his redshirt sophomore (2009) and redshirt junior (2010) seasons. He was also a two-time MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week winner last year, a key part of a Spartan line which allowed a MEAC-low 12 sacks. Noble has started 32 consecutive games at left tackle, dating to his freshman year (2008).
Turner was a first-team All-MEAC pick following the 2009 season and a second-team selection after last season. He made 46 total tackles, 12.0 for loss, and 2.5 sacks last year while helping the Spartan defense rank sixth in the nation in fewest yards allowed. Hammond was also a key factor in that ranking, as he led NSU last year with 76 total tackles. Hammond added 11.0 tackles for loss, 4.5 and a pair of forced fumbles in 2010.
Both Turner and Hammond were named to the College Football Performance Awards Watch Lists for their respective positions.
Delaware State wide receiver Justin Wilson was named the MEAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and Bethune-Cookman linebacker Ryan Lewis was named Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Following NSU in the preseason poll in sixth through 11th places were Morgan State, new MEAC member North Carolina Central, Delaware State, North Carolina A&T, Howard and another MEAC newcomer, Savannah State, was picked last.
Preseason Predicted Order of Finish (first-place votes in parentheses)
1. South Carolina State (6) 468
2. Bethune-Cookman (8) 454
3. Florida A&M (5) 420
4. Hampton (1) 321
5. Norfolk State (1) 274
6. Morgan State 250
7. North Carolina Central 162
8. Delaware State 158
9. North Carolina A&T 128
10. Howard 96
11. Savannah State (1) 63
