Southland announces 2021 Preseason All-Conference Football Teams

Southeastern leads with 16 total selections

FRISCO, Texas – Southeastern quarterback Cole Kelley and UIW quarterback Cameron Ward, the reigning Walter Payton and Jerry Rice Award winners, respectively, headline the 2021 Southland Conference Football Preseason All-Conference Teams, announced on Thursday. The preseason all-conference teams are presented by Ready®.

The Lions lead the way with 16 total selections, followed closely by the Cardinals with 15. Nicholls earns 11 preseason all-league nods, and Northwestern State garners nine slots. Houston Baptist and McNeese each accounted for six spots.

The third Southland quarterback to take home the Walter Payton Award as the FCS offensive player of the year, Kelley finished second nationally in passing yards (2,662) and points responsible for (164) and tied for third among quarterbacks with seven rushing touchdowns. Named first-team all-America by HERO Sports and Stats Perform, he also ranked fourth in completion percentage (.689) and completions per game (30).

Becoming the first Southland student-athlete to win the Jerry Rice Award as the FCS freshman of the year, Ward led FCS signal-callers in passing touchdowns (24) and points responsible for per game (26.3) and ranked third nationally in completions per game (30.5) and passing yards per game (376.7). The West Columbia, Texas, native was crowned the Southland Spring Freshman of the Year and was twice named Stats Perform FCS National Freshman of the Week.

The vast group of returning talent also includes Nicholls’ PJ Burkhalter, the two-time defending Southland Offensive Lineman of the Year, and McNeese defensive end Isaiah Chambers, who finished fourth in Buck Buchanan Award voting. Both were tabbed consensus all-America this past season.

The list of Spring All-Americans on the teams also includes UIW running back Kevin Brown, Southeastern defensive back Ferlando Jordan and Northwestern State linebacker Jomard Valsin.

Returning all-conference selections from the previous season are automatically named to the preseason all-conference teams and may advance to higher team slots if they are vacated by non-returning players. Open positions are nominated and voted upon by the league’s head coaches.

The preseason poll will be revealed next Thursday, July 22, to kick off the 2021 Southland Conference Football Media Day Presented by Levy Recognition and Ready®.

First Team All-Conference Offense

First Team All-Conference Defense

Second Team All-Conference Offense

Second Team All-Conference Defense

* Automatic selection; returning all-conference player