CHICAGO – Eleven Southern Conference football players have earned spots on the Stats Perform Preseason All-America Team, presented by FedEx Ground.
 
The SoCon’s 11 All-Americans make it one of just five leagues in the FCS with at double-digit selections to the squad.
 
Four SoCon student-athletes earned first-team honors, with Samford quarterback Michael Hiers joined on the offensive side of the ball by Mercer wide receivers Devron Harper and Ty James. Chattanooga defensive lineman Jay Person headlines the league’s defensive selections with a first-team nod.
 
The second team sees Chattanooga running back Ailym Ford and Samford wide receiver Chandler Smith earn offensive selections, while Chattanooga defensive back Kameron Brown and Western Carolina transfer linebacker Antoine Williams earned spots on the defense.
 
Furman offensive lineman Jacob Johanning and defensive back Hugh Ryan are third-team picks, as is Mercer linebacker Isaac Dowling.
 
Mercer and Chattanooga pace the SoCon with three selections each, while Furman and Samford have two apiece and Western Carolina has one.
 
2023 STATS PERFORM FCS PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA TEAM
FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
QB – Michael Hiers, 6-1, 211, senior, Samford
WR – Devron Harper, 5-9, 168, senior, Mercer
WR – Ty James, 6-2, 200, redshirt senior, Mercer
DEFENSE
DL – Jay Person, 6-3, 224, senior, Chattanooga
SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
RB – Ailym Ford, 5-9, 213, redshirt senior, Chattanooga
WR – Chandler Smith, 5-10, 186, senior, Samford
DEFENSE
LB – Antoine Williams, 5-10, 200, redshirt junior, Western Carolina
DB – Kameron Brown, 5-9, 179, senior, Chattanooga
THIRD TEAM
OFFENSE
OL – Jacob Johanning, 6-3, 276, senior, Furman
DEFENSE
LB – Isaac Dowling, 5-10, 225, junior, Mercer
DB – Hugh Ryan, 6-1, 200, redshirt senior, Furman