Gibbs, Berry Named SWAC Preseason Top Players; Alcorn State and Grambling Picked By Coaches to Top SWAC East and West

By ADD SEYMOUR JR.

(photo from SWAC.org)

The Southwestern Athletic Conference's reigning preseason offensive and defensive players of the year were tabbed again as the league's best during today's SWAC Football Media Day.

Alcorn State quarterback John Gibbs Jr. and Alabama State linebacker Koutney Berry were named the SWAC's top players after both were named to both slots last season.

Last season, Gibbs led the league's top offense and threw for nearly 2,500 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also did it on the ground, rushing for 1,006 yards and another 12 TDs

Berry continued his stellar ASU career last season by the leading the SWAC with 128 tackles as a sophomore, along with recovering three fumbles.

Alcorn State, which was also picked by league coaches to win the SWAC East this season, had nine players picked on the All-SWAC' Preseason first or second team.

Don't put too much stock in those predictions, said Alcorn State head coach Jay Hopson.

"This league, I say it every year, there's a lot of parity," Hopson said Friday, according to The News Star.  "People know me know I speak what I feel.  Two years ago, we were ranked last.  I think the preseason rankings, they dont really  mean anything.  You take it with a grain of salt.  It's a competitive league."

Last year's surprise squad, Grambling, won't sneak up on SWAC foes this season as the Tigers were predicted by coaches to finish first in the SWAC West.

Grambling Quarterback Jonathan Williams, who came on mid-season last year to lead the SWAC with 272 yards passing a game, was named All Conference second team quarterback.  He was joined by Grambling defenders Javonte Williams, Jamison Goins and Henry Taylor as All-SWAC preseason second team picks.

"We're pleased with our program. We're please with how far we've come. We're pleased with the mindset of our student athletes," Grambling head coach Broaderick Fobbs said Friday, according to The News Star.  "We still live by the motto of the "WIN' philosophy -- what's important now.  For us, it's about taking the first step.

"[His players} understand what's at stake," he said. "Any time you lace up and play against these teams in this league, you gotta be prepared, you gotta be ready to perform.  There's a lot of great minds, and there's a lot of great players.  For us, I wouldn't have it any other way. For us, it's just seeing about who's the best."

Here is the complete list of All-SWAC first and second team picks, along with the league's predicted order of finish:

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: John Gibbs Jr. (QB) – Alcorn State
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Kourtney Berry (LB) - Alabama State

2015 Preseason All SWAC Football Team
First Team All SWAC Offense

QB – John Gibbs Jr	Alcorn State
RB – Lenard Tillery	Southern
RB – Johnta’ Hebert	Prairie View
OL – Marcus Cook	Jackson State
OL -  Damian Love	Alabama State
OL – Glen Haisley	Prairie View
OL -  Anthony Mosley	Southern
OL – Jylan Ware	Alabama State
WR – Daniel Williams	Jackson State
WR – Willie Quinn	Southern
TE – Jordan Payne	Alcorn State

---

First Team All SWAC Defense

DL - Anthony Lanier	Alabama A&M
DL – Darien Moody	Alcorn State
DL – Demarcus Berry	Arkansas Pine Bluff
DL – Devohn Reed	Prairie View
LB – Damon Watkins	Alcorn State
LB – Willie Duncan	Arkansas Pine Bluff
LB – Kourtney Berry	Alabama State
DB – Danny Johnson	Southern
DB – Damond Jackson	Prairie View
DB - Warren Gatewood	Alcorn State
DB- Kevin Rucker	Arkansas Pine Bluff

---

SPECIAL TEAMS – FIRST TEAM
Kicker Ryan Deising –Jackson State
Punter Corey Carter – Texas Southern
Return Specialist Johnta’ Hebert -Prairie View

---

Second Team All SWAC Offense

QB – Johnathan Williams	Grambling State
QB – La Montiez Ivy	Jackson State
RB – Brian Handley	Arkansas Pine Bluff
RB – Arron Baker	Alcorn State
OL – Sean Brown	Mississippi Valley State
OL- Terrell Lee	Southern
OL – Jordan Johnson	Prairie View
OL – Glenn Jackson	Texas Southern
OL -  Courtney Brown	Alabama A&M
WR – DeMario Bell	Alabama State
WR – Willie Young	Arkansas Pine Bluff
TE – Natron Brooks	Mississippi Valley State

---

Second Team All SWAC Defense

DL – Javonte Williams	Grambling State
DL – Jamison Goins	Grambling State
DL – Amir Bloom	Texas Southern
DL – Gabe Echols	Southern
LB – Daerius Washington	Alabama State
LB – Henry Taylor	Grambling State
LB – Javancy Jones	Jackson State
DB – Anthony Williams Jr.	Alcorn State
DB – Robert Porter	Jackson State
DB – Dionte McDuffy	Southern
DB –  Charles Moore	Mississippi Valley State

---

SPECIAL TEAMS – SECOND TEAM

Kicker – Haiden McCraney – Alcorn State
Punter - Haiden McCraney – Alcorn State
Return Specialist Willie Quinn – Southern

---

2015 Predicted Order of Finish

EAST
Alcorn State 95
Jackson State 83
Alabama A&M 66
Alabama State 50
Mississippi Valley State 31

West
Grambling State 93
Southern 91 
Prairie View 72
Texas Southern 40
Arkansas Pine Bluff 34