SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Three Southern Conference football student-athletes earned spots on the Athlon Sports' FCS Preseason All-America Team, announced Wednesday.
 
Samford quarterback Michael Hiers, Mercer wide receiver Devron Harper and Chattanooga defensive lineman Jay Person are among 28 All-Americans representing 20 schools and 11 conferences.
 
Harper (all-purpose in 2022) and Person are returning Athlon Sports All-Americans from last season.
 
Person was the consensus SoCon Defensive Player of the Year and Hiers was the consensus SoCon Offensive Player of the Year last season. Harper was a consensus first-team All-SoCon selection.
 
ATHLON SPORTS FCS PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA TEAM
OFFENSE
QB – Michael Hiers (6-1/211/Sr.) Samford
RB – Isaiah Davis (6-1/220/Sr.) South Dakota State
RB – Jaden Shirden (5-9/185/Jr.) Monmouth
AP – Dylan Laube (5-10/204/Sr.) New Hampshire             
WR – Devron Harper (5-9/170/Sr.) Mercer
WR – Hayden Hatten (6-2/205/Jr.) Idaho
TE – Marshel Martin (6-2/215/Sr.) Sacramento State
C – Zack Gieg (6-1/287/Sr.) Southeast Missouri
OL – John Allen (6-1/310/Sr.) Southeastern Louisiana
OL – Garret Greenfield (6-6/305/Sr.) South Dakota State
OL – Mason McCormick (6-4/305/Sr.) South Dakota State
OL – Luke Newman (6-5/301/Sr.) Holy Cross
DEFENSE
DL – Ty French (6-3/230/Sr.) Gardner-Webb
DL – Jay Person (6-3/225/Sr.) Chattanooga
DL – Josiah Silver (6-2/236/Jr.) New Hampshire
DL – David Walker (6-3/235/Jr.) Central Arkansas
LB – Adam Bock (6-1/215/Sr.) South Dakota State
LB – Jacob Dobbs (6-0/237/Sr.) Holy Cross
LB – John Pius (6-2/230/Sr.) William & Mary
LB – Tristan Wheeler (6-2/228/Sr.) Richmond
DB – Maxwell Anderson (5-11/170/Sr.) Weber State
DB – Khalil Baker (6-0/185/Sr.) North Carolina Central
DB – Lawrence Johnson (6-0/196/Sr.) Southeast Missouri
DB – TaMuarion Wilson (6-2/205/Jr.) Central Arkansas
SPECIAL TEAMS
K – Ethan Gettman (6-4/190/Sr.) Bryant
P – Trey Wilhoit (5-10/175/Jr.) Florida A&M
KR – Abraham Williams (6-1/175/Jr.) Weber State
PR – Junior Bergen (5-11/184/Jr.) Montana