Football 8/1/2019 1:00:00 PM

Tigers Picked Third; Seven on All-GSC Preseason Team

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – With seven players on the 2019 football preseason All-Gulf South Conference team, West Alabama has been selected by league coaches to finish third in the conference in the upcoming season.

The Tigers are coming off back-to-back seasons having earned a berth in the NCAA Division II Playoffs, averaging nine wins over the last two seasons. UWA returns 17 starters on offense and defense combined, including seven who were voted as preseason All-GSC by league coaches.

"We are very excited for the season to be here," UWA head coach Brett Gilliland said. ""As always, we do not pay much attention to preseason polls, but it is fun for the media and fans."

Defending league and national champion Valdosta State is the preseason pick of the coaches to win the 2019 title, followed by West Georgia, UWA, West Florida and Florida Tech to round out the top five. The Blazers received eight of nine first place votes, with the other going to West Florida.

Delta State, North Greenville, Mississippi College and Shorter round out the preseason poll. Coaches could not vote for their own teams

Five offensive and two defensive players from West Alabama earned preseason all-league honors, giving the Tigers the second-most preseason All-GSC choices. Valdosta State had nine.

"It is a great and well-deserved honor for the men selected preseason All-GSC, and as
a team we are excited for the challenges that lie ahead this season," Gilliland said. "We look forward to a big crowd at Tiger Stadium on September 7 to see this team hit the field for the first time."

A preseason favorite for offensive player of the year, tight end Qua Boyd was selected by the coaches after being a first-team All-GSC choice, as well as all-region and All-America, the last two years. Boyd, who will be competing while in graduate school this year, has 98 receptions for 1,222 yards over the last two years despite missing three games.

Wide receivers Christian Saulsberry and Bayley Blanchard were also selected by the coaches after combining with Boyd to give UWA three of the top seven receivers in the GSC in 2018. Blanchard, a second-team all-league choice in 2018 had 56 catches for 666 yards and six touchdowns last season, while Saulsberry earned first-team All-GSC with 52 grabs for 644 yards and four TDs.

Rounding out offensive selections were offensive tackle Brandon Anderson and center Call Dyer. Anderson is a two-time first-team all-conference choice, as well as collecting All-America and all-region honors. Dyer is a three-time second team All-GSC choice, as well all-region. Anderson and Dyer have led an offensive front that has averaged 407 yards per game total offense over the last two years and averaged 52 touchdowns over the last three seasons.

Safety Tavarius Hutchinson and defense end Jordan Jones were Tiger selections from the defense. Hutchinson is the leading returning tackler from last season, finishing with 75 stops and four broken up passes. His 75 stops was fifth in the GSC and he recorded a league-leading two recovered fumbles.

Jones, a first-team All-GSC choice last season, led UWA and was second in the GSC in tackles for loss with 12.5. He led UWA and was in the top five in conference with five quarterback sacks. He has 28 career tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks.

West Alabama players report to campus Wednesday and begin practice on Friday, Aug. 9. The Tigers open the season at home against Limestone on Sept. 7. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#75 Brandon Anderson: OL; 6' 4"; Senior

#89 Bayley Blanchard: WR; 6' 1"; Junior

#18 Qua Boyd: TE; 6' 5"; Senior

#55 Call Dyer: C; 6' 4"; Senior

#1 Tavarius Hutchinson: DB; 5' 10"; Senior

#7 Jordan Jones: LB; 6' 2"; Senior

#2 Christian Saulsberry: WR; 5' 8"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#75 Brandon Anderson
: 6' 4"; Senior
: OL

#89 Bayley Blanchard
: 6' 1"; Junior
: WR

#18 Qua Boyd
: 6' 5"; Senior
: TE

#55 Call Dyer
: 6' 4"; Senior
: C

#1 Tavarius Hutchinson
: 5' 10"; Senior
: DB

#7 Jordan Jones
: 6' 2"; Senior
: LB

#2 Christian Saulsberry
: 5' 8"; Senior
: WR