SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Athlon Sports released its FCS Preseason All-America Team on Monday, with three Southern Conference student-athletes earning spots on the 27-man team.
Chattanooga offensive lineman McClendon and defensive lineman Devonnsha Maxwell were both selected, while
VMI linebacker Stone Snyder joined Maxwell on the defensive team.
Maxwell is a returning All-American after earning first-team recognition a year ago from Stats Perform and Phil Steele and second-team honors on three other lists. He has his eyes squarely on two other pass-rush legends at Chattanooga with SoCon career sack leader Davis Tull and season record holder Keionta Davis.
Maxwell, who was named the SoCon Defensive Player of the Year by the SoCon coaches and media, had 12.0 sacks in 2021 raising his career total to 29.5. That fell 1.5 shy of Davis' season mark set in 2015. His career number is 7.5 short of Tull (2011-14).
Curtis was a first team All-SoCon selection who was a bit overshadowed by NFL first-rounder Cole Strange. Strange's senior trip was similar with little national fanfare entering his final campaign before continuing a dominating career. Curtis looks to follow that pattern.
He and junior tackle Colin Truett return as starters from an O-line that was integral to the squad averaging 205.5 rushing yards per game, the highest average since 2016 (206.3). The Mocs rushed for more than 170 yards in all but two games including the narrow loss to VRBO Citrus Bowl Champ Kentucky.
Last season, Snyder earned first-team All-Southern Conference honors for a second straight year and was recognized by the media as the SoCon Defensive Co-Player of the Year. He led the league in tackles for the second straight season averaging 10.9 per game and totaled 120 for the year (49 solo, 71 assisted).
Following the 2021 fall season, he was named an All-American by five separate entities: Phil Steele, American Football Coaches Association, Athlon, Stats Perform and Hero Sports.
Snyder led the team in tackles for loss (11 for 36 yards), sacks (4), quarterback hurries (5) and fumble recoveries with three. He was named SoCon Defensive Player of the Week Sept. 27 after a season-best 19 tackles against Wofford and was also selected to the 2021 Buck Buchanan Top 25 Watch list for the second straight year.
OFFENSE
QB – Xavier Shepherd 6-0/205/Jr. Kennesaw State
RB – Isaiah Davis 6-1/220/Jr. South Dakota State
RB – Isaiah Ifanse 5-10/202/Sr. Montana State
FB – Hunter Luepke 6-1/234/Sr. North Dakota State
WR – Xavier Gipson 5-9/170/Sr. Stephen F. Austin
WR – Taylor Grimes 5-11/190/Sr. UIW
TE – Tucker Kraft 6-5/255/Jr. South Dakota State
C – Matthan Hatchie 6-2/310/Sr. UT Martin
OL – Michael Corbi 6-6/335/Sr. Villanova
OL – Cody Mauch 6-6/303/Sr. North Dakota State
OL – Mason McCormick 6-4/310/Sr. South Dakota State
OL – Curtis McClendon 6-7/340/Sr. Chattanooga
DEFENSE
DL – Isaiah Land 6-4/215/Sr. Florida A&M
DL – Nate Lynn 6-3/265/Jr. William & Mary
DL – Devonnsha Maxwell 6-2/296/Sr. Chattanooga
DL – Josiah Silver 6-2/234/So. New Hampshire
LB – Ryan Greenhagen 6-1/245/Sr. Fordham
LB – Patrick O’Connell, 6-2/225/Sr. Montana
LB – Stone Snyder 6-3/240/Sr. VMI
DB – Anthony Adams 6-0/185/Sr. Portland State
DB – Justin Ford 6-2/190/Sr. Montana
DB – Michael Tutsie 5-11/193/Sr. North Dakota State
DB – Kedrick Whitehead 5-11/195/Sr. Delaware
SPECIALISTS
K – Matthew Cook 5-11/180/Jr. Northern Iowa
P – Grant Burkett 6-1/180/So. Missouri State
KR – Malik Flowers 6-2/200/Sr. Montana
PR – Jah’Marae Sheread 5-7/175/Sr. Florida A&M