SAN ANTONIO – The Southeastern Louisiana University football team was picked third in the Southland Conference preseason poll released Monday in conjunction with the league's Football Opening Drive at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.
 
Southeastern, which has made three trips to the FCS playoffs in the past five seasons, was behind defending league champion Nicholls and UIW in the poll, which was voted on by the league's head coaches and football media relations contacts. Behind the Lions were Lamar, Stephen F. Austin, McNeese, HCU, Texas A&M-Commerce and Northwestern State.
 
In addition to the polls, the SLC also released its preseason all-conference teams, selected by the league's head coaches, Monday. Representing Southeastern on the first team were Darius Lewis at both wide receiver and punt returner, as well as offensive lineman Jhy Orgeron. Lewis was also the second team selection at kick returner, while offensive lineman Brockhim Wicks, running back Harlan Dixon and linebacker Donte' Daniels were also second team picks for the Lions.
 
Lewis established himself as a dynamic playmaker for SLU in a breakout 2023 campaign that saw him earn All-SLC and All-Louisiana honors. An FCS Football Central preseason All-America selection at punt returner, Lewis led the league and ranked 10^th in FCS with 13.8 yards per punt return. The New Orleans native also caught a team-high 48 passes for 568 yards and four touchdowns.
 
Orgeron and Wicks, both of who joined seventh-year head coach Frank Scelfo in San Antonio for the SLC Football Opening Drive, made up a stalwart right side of the offensive line with Orgeron handling tackle duties and Wicks manning the guard position. The two fifth-year Lions are expected to be steady leaders for the SLU offensive line.
 
One of the key players Orgeron and Wicks will be clearing the way for is Dixon. The Slidell, Louisiana native was a second team selection in his first season as a Lion, rushing for 403 yards and five touchdowns last fall. He also contributed in the passing game with 408 yards on 35 receptions.
 
Daniels is the lone preseason All-SLC representative from a Southeastern defense that made significant strides last fall. The Port Sulphur, Louisiana product will be looking to return to form after injuries cost him several games in 2023. As a sophomore, Daniels was an All-Southland selection after finishing second on the team in tackles from his linebacker spot.
 
The Lions will report to campus July 28 and open fall practice July 29. Southeastern opens the 2024 season with a 7 p.m. contest at Tulane Aug. 29 on ESPN+ and the Southeastern Sports Radio Network (Kajun 107.1 FM, The Highway 104.7 FM and The Boss 103.7 FM/1400 AM).
 
2024 Southland Conference Football Preseason All-Southland Conference Poll
School – Points (First-place votes)
1. Nicholls – 119 (9)
2. UIW – 113 (8)
3. Southeastern – 94
4. Lamar – 88 (1)
5. Stephen F. Austin – 72
6. McNeese – 64
7. HCU – 41
8. Texas A&M-Commerce -37
9. Northwestern State – 25
 
2024 Preseason All-Southland Conference Teams
 
First Team Offense
Pos. – Name – School – Cl. – Hometown
QB – Zach Calzada – UIW – Gr. – Buford, Ga.
RB – Jaylon Spears – Nicholls – Jr. – New Orleans, La.
RB – Collin Guggenheim – Nicholls – Sr. – Kenner, La.
TE/HB – Lee Negrotto – Nicholls – Sr. – Pass Christian, Miss.
WR – Darius Lewis – Southeastern – New Orleans, La.
WR – Quincy Brown – Nicholls – Jr. – St. Rose, La.
WR – Andre Dennis – Lamar – Jr. – Beaumont, Texas
OL – Jhy Orgeron – Southeastern – Galliano, La.
OL – Evan Roussel – Nicholls – Sr. – Lutcher, La.
OL – Cole Leclair – McNeese – Sr. – Middleburg, Fla.
OL – Jevale Roberson – Lamar – Sr. – Cleveland, Texas
OL – Elias Ripley – Lamar – Sr. – Cedar Rapids, Iowa
PK – Dillon Fedor – HCU – Sr. – Henderson, Nev.
P – Kylan Dupre – Nicholls – Jr. – Geismar, La.
 
First Team Defense
Pos. – Name – School – Cl. – Hometown
DL – Rasheed Lovelace – Nicholls – So. – Pensacola, Fla.
DL – Caleb Williams – Lamar – Sr. – Houston, Texas
DL – Kershawn Fisher – Nicholls – Sr. – New Orleans, La.
DL – Joe Mason – Nicholls – Sr. – Shreveport, La.
LB – Micah Davey – McNeese – Jr. – Baton Rouge, La.
LB – Tylan Foster – UIW – Sr. – Houston, Texas
LB – Hayden Shaheen – Nicholls – So. – Baton Rouge, La.
DB – Tyler Mouton – Nicholls – Sr. – St. Rose, La.
DB – Max Epps – Texas A&M-Commerce – Sr. – Spring, Texas
DB – Kendarius Smith – Nicholls – Sr. – Meridian, Miss.
DB – Ronald Wilson – UIW – Sr. – Fort Worth, Texas
DB – Ramond Stevens – Lamar – Sr. – New Orleans, La.
KR – Dekalon Taylor – UIW – Jr. – Longview, Texas
PR – Darius Lewis – Southeastern – Sr. – New Orleans, La.
 
Second Team Offense
Pos. – Name – School – Cl. – Hometown
QB – Pat McQuaide – Nicholls – Jr. – Solon, Ohio
RB – Harlan Dixon – Southeastern – Sr. – Slidell, La.
RB – Khalan Griffin – Lamar – Sr. – Tyler, Texas
TE/HB – Deryn Gibbs – Lamar – Jr. – Mabank, Texas
WR – Mason Pierce – UIW – Gr. – Houston, Texas
WR – Sevonne Rhea – Lamar – Sr. – Houston, Texas
WR – Kylon Harris – SFA – Jr. – Reserve, La.
OL – Brockhim Wicks – Southeastern – Sr. – Plaquemine, La.
OL – Reggie Brooks – Lamar – Jr. – Wylie, Texas
OL – Dion Daniels – HCU – Sr. – Tyler, Texas
OL – Reed Lambert – Nicholls – Sr. – New Roads, La.
OL – Rasheed Jackson – UIW – So. – Columbus, Ohio
PK – Chris Esqueda – Lamar – Sr. – Waco, Texas
P – Mitchell McGarry – Texas A&M-Commerce – Sr. – Tannum Sands Queensland, Australia
 
Second Team Defense
Pos. – Name – School – Cl. – Hometown
DL – Marcus Brown – UIW – Sr. – Houston, Texas
DL – Chase Carter – UIW – Sr. – Brooklyn Park, Md.
DL – Zae Smith – HCU – Jr. – La Maruge, Texas
DL – Jaymond Jackson – Lamar – Sr. – Lindale, Texas
LB – Donte' Daniels – Southeastern – Sr. – Port Sulphur, La.
LB – Eli Ennis – Nicholls – Jr. – Ohatchee, Ala.
LB – Mister Williams – UIW – Jr. – Canoga Park, Calif.
DB – Mason Chambers – UIW – Sr. – San Antonio, Texas
DB – Jaden Rios – Texas A&M-Commerce – Jr. – Frisco, Texas
DB – Kristian Pugh – Lamar – Jr. – Beaumont, Texas
DB – Jeremiah Walker – Stephen F. Austin – Sr. – Houston, Texas
DB – Levi Wyatt – McNeese – Jr. – Byram, Texas
KR – Darius Lewis – Southeastern – Sr. – New Orleans, La.
PR – Dekalon Taylor – UIW – Jr. – Longview, Texas
 
TICKETS
For ticket information, contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net. Southeastern will continue offering mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets. All tickets will be available via e-mail or text message in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Football, follow @LionUpFootball and @Coach_Scelfo on X, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and follow lionupfootball on Instagram.
 
TOUCHDOWN CLUB/S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the football program are encouraged to join the Touchdown Club. Lion football alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Touchdown Club and S Club (football) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern football program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics observes a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.