Courtesy of the SWAC
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its 2024 Preseason All-SWAC Football selections and Predicted Order of Finish during SWAC Football Media Day at the Sheraton Hotel in Downtown Birmingham. The Preseason All-SWAC teams, Individual Winners, and Predicted Order of Finish were voted on by the HBCU conference head coaches and sports information directors.
Grambling State’s Myles Crawley was named Preseason Offensive Player of the Year while Southern’s Ckelby Givens was tabbed Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Crawley solidified himself as one of the top HBCU quarterbacks in the SWAC throwing for 2,303 yards with 16 touchdowns last season. He was the first Grambling State quarterback to throw for at least 2,000 yards since Devante Kincaid in 2017. With Crawley as a starter, GSU’s passing offense improved from 11th in the SWAC in 2022 to 5th in 2023. GSU’s offensive production also increased under Crawley, with the Tigers’ offense moving from 10th to 2nd in the SWAC.
Givens led the Jaguars in sacks and tackles for loss during the 2023 season. He led the SWAC in tackles for loss (21) and finished tied for fourth in sacks (7). He was a dominant force off the edge in HBCU football finishing the season with 61 tackles, 21 tackles for loss for 83 yards loss, seven sacks for 23 yards loss, eight quarterback hurries, one fumble recovery, and four forced fumbles.
The league’s 2024 Predicted Order of Finish was also announced as Alabama State (114) was selected to finish in first place in the SWAC Eastern Division. Florida A&M (104), Jackson State (87), Alabama A&M (76), Bethune-Cookman (47), and Mississippi Valley State (31) round out the East Division Preseason Poll rankings.
Alcorn State (111) was tabbed to finish in first place in the SWAC Western Division. Prairie View A&M (104), Grambling State (72), Southern (70), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (61), and Texas Southern (40) round out the West Division Preseason Poll rankings.
A complete listing of the HBCU football players named to the Preseason All-SWAC teams, Individual Winners, and Predicted Order of Finish is listed below.
2024 SWAC Football Predicted Order of Finish
SWAC East
- Alabama State- 114 points (11)
- Florida A&M- 104 points (6)
- Jackson State- 87 points (2)
- Alabama A&M- 76 points (4)
- Bethune-Cookman- 47 points
- Mississippi Valley State- 31 points (1)
SWAC West
- Alcorn State- 112 points (11)
- Prairie View A&M- 104 points (8)
- Grambling State- 72 points (4)
- Southern- 70 points (1)
- Arkansas-Pine Bluff- 61 points
- Texas Southern- 40 points
*First place votes listed in parenthesis ( )
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Quarterback: Myles Crawley, Grambling State
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Defensive Lineman: Ckelby Givens, Southern
Preseason All-SWAC Football Team
All-SWAC First Team Offense
Quarterback: Myles Crawley, Grambling State
Running Back: Donovan Eaglin, Alabama A&M
Running Back: Kendric Rhymes, Southern
Offensive Lineman: Ashton Grable, Florida A&M
Offensive Lineman: Arelious Dunn, Alabama State
Offensive Lineman: Evan Henry, Jackson State
Offensive Lineman: Tahj Martin, Grambling State
Offensive Lineman: Joseph Church, Mississippi Valley State
Wide Receiver: Fabian McCray, Jackson State
Wide Receiver: Jacolby Hewitt, Alabama A&M
Tight End: Tavarious Griffin, Alcorn State
All-SWAC First Team Defense
Defensive Lineman: Malachi Bailey, Alcorn State
Defensive Lineman: Ckelby Givens, Southern
Defensive Lineman: Treqwan Thomas, Alabama State
Defensive Lineman: CJ Pressley, Prairie View A&M
Linebacker: Rico Dozier, Alabama State
Linebacker: Jacob Williams, Texas Southern
Linebacker: Demarkus Cunningham, Alabama State
Defensive Back: Kendall Bohler, Florida A&M
Defensive Back: Emari Pait, Alabama A&M
Defensive Back: James Burgess, Alabama State
Defensive Back: Deco Wilson, Florida A&M
All-SWAC First Team Specialist
Place Kicker: Cameron Gillis, Florida A&M
Punter: Matt Noll, Jackson State
Return Specialist: Robert McMinn, Alabama State
Long Snapper: Braxston Blackwell, Southern
All-SWAC Second Team Offense
Quarterback: Jace Wilson, Texas Southern
Running Back: Kelvin Dean, Florida A&M
Running Back: Marcus Harris, Alabama State
Offensive Lineman: Carson Vinson, Alabama A&M
Offensive Lineman: Joshua Trask Jr., Southern
Offensive Lineman: Mehdi Torrence, Texas Southern
Offensive Lineman: Cameron Williams, Alabama A&M
Offensive Lineman: N/A
Wide Receiver: Jamari Gassett, Florida A&M
Wide Receiver: Javon Robinson, Grambling State
Tight End: Jaxson Davis, Mississippi Valley State
All-SWAC Second Team Defense
Defensive Lineman: Jeremiah Williams, Jackson State
Defensive Lineman: Allen Smith, Florida A&M
Defensive Lineman: Michael Akins, Texas Southern
Defensive Lineman: Jamal Marshall, Prairie View A&M
Linebacker: Isaiah Bogerty, Texas Southern
Linebacker: Dearis Thomas, Bethune-Cookman
Linebacker: Derrick Williams, Southern
Defensive Back: Amon Scarbrough, Alabama State
Defensive Back: Esaias Guthrie, Jackson State
Defensive Back: Edwin Summerour, Alcorn State
Defensive Back: Javius Williams, Texas Southern
All-SWAC Second Team Specialist
Place Kicker: Joshua Griffin, Southern
Punter: Jeremy Baker, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Return Specialist: Jamari Gassett, Florida A&M
Long Snapper: Clayton Thomas Jr., Bethune-Cookman