HAMMOND – The Southeastern Louisiana football team is ranked No. 3 in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) national preseason polls by Athlon Sports, which were released on Friday.
 
In addition to the No. 3 ranking for the defending Southland Conference champions and 2013 national quarterfinalists, the Lions were represented on the Athlon Sports FCS All-America team by junior defensive back Harlan Miller and junior kick returner Xavier Roberson.
 
Southeastern is one of three Southland Conference teams listed, along with No. 9 McNeese State and No. 21 Sam Houston State. The publication also projects all three league teams to make return trips to the FCS playoffs.
 
After finishing 11-3 overall in 2013, SLU was picked No. 6 in both the final FCS Sports Network and FCS Coaches' polls. In addition to an influx of new talent, the Lions return 15 starters.
 
The offense is led by senior quarterback Bryan Bennett, the reigning Southland Conference Player and Louisiana Offensive Player of the Year. Defensively, Miller leads a deep secondary, while senior pass rushers Isiah Corbett and Jacob Newman highlight a talented front seven.
 
In addition to Southeastern, the top five includes No. 1 Eastern Washington, three-time defending national champion North Dakota State at No. 2, No. 4 New Hampshire and No. 5 Northern Iowa.
 
With the selection of Miller and Roberson, Southeastern in one of five schools to have multiple players on the Athlon Sports Preseason All-America Teams. Miller, a 2013 first team All-Southland selection from Kentwood, led SLU with four interceptions and 10 pass break ups last season. Roberson, an Atlanta native and the 2013 CFPA FCS National Kick Returner of the Year, is coming off a sophomore campaign that saw him lead the nation with 35.2 yards per kickoff return and three kickoff return touchdowns.
 
Southeastern will open the 2014 season on Aug. 30, hosting Jacksonville at 7 p.m. in Strawberry Stadium – the first of six home games for SLU. Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by contacting the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visiting LionSports.net.
 
Athlon Sports 2014 FCS Preseason Top 25
1. Eastern Washington
2. North Dakota State
3. Southeastern Louisiana
4. New Hampshire
5. Northern Iowa
6. Jacksonville State
7. Montana
8. Villanova
9. McNeese State
10. Towson
11. South Dakota State
12. Chattanooga
13. Fordham
14. Coastal Carolina
15. William & Mary
16. Montana State
17. Tennessee State
18. Richmond
19. Furman
20. Southern Illinois
21. Sam Houston State
22. James Madison
23. Delaware
24. Eastern Illinois
25. Youngstown State
 
Athlon Sports 2014 FCS All-America Team
 
First Team Offense
QB – Vernon Adams – 6-0 – 190 – Jr. – Eastern Washington
RB – David Johnson – 6-3 – 225 – Sr. – Northern Iowa
RB – Zach Zenner – 6-0 –220 – Sr. – South Dakota State
FB – Emmanuel Holder – 5-11 – 255 – Jr. – Towson
WR – Sam Ajala – 6-0 – 195 – Sr. – Fordham
WR – Cooper Kupp – 6-2 – 195 – So. – Eastern Washington
TE – MyCole Pruitt – 6-3 – 250 – Sr. – Southern Illinois
C – Max Holcombe – 6-3 –290 – Sr. – Jacksonville State
G – Robert Booker – 6-3 – 315 – Jr. – Missouri State
G – Colin Seibert – 6-4 – 280 – Sr. – Eastern Illinois
T – Antonie Everett – 6-3 – 325 – Sr. – McNeese State
T – Jack Rummells – 6-5 – 301 – Sr. – Northern Iowa
 
First Team Defense
DE – Zach Hodges – 6-3 – 235 – Sr. – Harvard
DE – Davis Tull – 6-3 – 240 – Sr. – Chattanooga
DT – O.J. Le'iatua Mau – 6-2 – 302 – Jr. – Gardner-Webb
DT – Troy Moore – 6-3 – 285 – Sr. – Sacred Heart
LB – Quinn Backus – 5-10 – 215 – Sr. – Coastal Carolina
LB – Troy Bell – 6-1 – 200 – Sr. – UT Martin
LB – Lynden Trail – 6-7 – 260 – Sr. – Norfolk State
CB – Harlan Miller – 6-0 – 170 – Jr. – Southeastern Louisiana
CB – Tye Smith – 6-0 – 170 – Sr. – Towson
S – Daniel Fitzpatrick – 6-2 – 210 – Sr. – Tennessee State
S – Caleb Schaffitzel – 6-0 – 214 – Sr. – Missouri State
 
First Team Specialists
K – Thomas Kinney – 5-8 – 174 – Sr. – Southern Illinois
P – Kyle Loomis – 6-2 – 210 – Sr. – Portland State
KR – Xavier Roberson – 5-9 – 170 – Jr. – Southeastern Louisiana
PR – Adrian Wilkins – 5-6 – 170 – Jr. – North Carolina Central