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Three Red Wolves have been named as Hero Sports Preseason All-American’s according to a press release issued Thursday morning.
Arkansas State offensive lineman Jacob Bayer has been named a Group of Five First Team All-American while running back Ja’Quez Cross and offensive lineman Makilan Thomas have been named Group of Five Third Team All-American’s.
In total, 30 student-athletes—representing 8-of-14 Sun Belt football programs—combined to earn 52 Preseason All-America honors.
Old Dominion senior linebacker Jason Henderson—the 2024 Sun Belt Preseason Defensive Player of the Year—led the way with 13 Preseason All-America nods, including five First Team selections. Henderson led the nation with 15.5 tackles per game and 186 tackles as a sophomore in 2022 and led the nation with 14.2 tackles per game and ranked second in the country with 170 tackles in 2023.
The Texas State tandem of junior running back and all-purpose back Ismail Mahdi (4) and redshirt junior kicker Mason Shipley (3) joined Henderson in earning several Preseason All-America mentions. Also claiming multiple preseason honors were App State senior kicker Michael Hughes (2), James Madison redshirt senior punter Ryan Hanson (2), Louisiana redshirt senior offensive lineman AJ Gillie (2), Texas State senior linebacker Ben Bell (2) and Texas State senior wide receiver Joey Hobert (2).
Sun Belt East Division favorite App State and Sun Belt West Division favorite Texas State co-led the conference with six student-athletes recognized. The Mountaineers and Bobcats were closely followed by Georgia Southern (5), Arkansas State (3), James Madison (3), Louisiana (3), Old Dominion (2) and South Alabama (2).
Led by Henderson’s 13 nods, Old Dominion paced all Sun Belt programs with 14 Preseason All-America mentions, ahead of divisional favorites Texas State (13) and App State (7). Georgia Southern (5), James Madison (4), Louisiana (4), Arkansas State (3) and South Alabama (2) also claimed multiple Preseason All-America honors.
