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Durham Highlights 10 FVSU Preseason All-SIAC Honorees, Wildcats Picked Fourth

7/12/2023 12:14:00 AM

By: Chris Myers
ATLANTA, Ga. – With the Red Tails Classic kick-off of the 2023 season only 53 days away, Wildcats received early season honors today. Quarterback Kelvin Durham was voted the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Preseason Offensive Player of Year and nine other Wildcats earned All-SIAC acclaim while Fort Valley State ranks fourth in the Preseason Team Poll.
 
After earning both the Newcomer and Freshman of the Year last fall, Durham is predicted to be the SIAC's Offensive Player of the Year. The FVSU signal-caller is joined on the All-SIAC First team by offensive lineman Jemeil Jackson, tight end Gentry Sparks, wide receiver Corintheus Edmonds, defensive end Tim Alderman, linebacker Kentrell Lawson, defensive back Landon Austin and punt returner Hakeem Ellington. The Wildcats also placed linebacker Dialo Mosley and kick returner Justin Harris on the Second Team.
 
FVSU Coach Gibbs sat down at SIAC Media Day with ESPN's James Varrett

In the Preseason Poll, SIAC defending champion Benedict College was voted at the same number one spot in the league. Behind Benedict, Albany State and SIAC West champion Tuskegee rated second and third. FVSU coming off its best season in a decade at 8-2 was picked fourth. Completing the top five, Savannah State was fifth in the first season with the SIAC being a single-division league.
 
From the SIAC Release on Durham:
In his second season directing the FVSU offense, Durham achieved notable accolades such as the SIAC Newcomer of the Year, Freshman of the Year, and a spot on the All-SIAC 1st Team as a quarterback. His exceptional performance propelled him to the top ranks in various offensive categories within the SIAC

Leading the league in passing touchdowns and total offense yards with 2,252 yards, he proved to be an essential asset for his team. Durham consistently displayed his prowess, ranking second in total offense per game with an average of 225.2 yards, as well as in total offense touchdowns (19), passing yards (1,994 yards), and pass completions (147).

His passing accuracy was commendable, completing 147 of 242 passes, resulting in 16 touchdowns and only four interceptions. Throughout the season, he accumulated a total of 1,994 passing yards with a completion rate of 60.74%. Additionally, he showcased his versatility by rushing 44 times for 258 yards and scoring three touchdowns, averaging an impressive 5.9 yards per carry.

Notably, Durham had six games where he passed for 198 or more yards, consistently making an impact on the field. Among his standout performances, he had a remarkable game against Allen, completing 20 of 32 passes for a season-high 334 yards, with three touchdowns. In another remarkable display of his skills, he went 15-of-25 for 255 yards and threw five touchdowns, while also rushing 6 times for 60 yards against Morehouse.

On the offensive side, offensive tackle Jackson makes his first appearance on the All-SIAC team. He will be the top FVSU returning lineman and was part of the line who blocked for the top SIAC running back and current Green Bay Packer Emanuel Wilson last season.

Sparks and Edmonds will be two of Durham's top targets this fall. At tight end, Sparks pulled in 14 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown, while Edmonds grabbed a team-high 34 balls for 657 yards and three scores.

Leading the Wildcat defense, Alderman recorded one of the best SIAC totals for both tackles for loss (14 for 67 yards) and sacks (7.5 for 41 yards) as a sophomore. The Fort Valley native added 44 tackles, 14 quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a safety.

Lawson and Austin will also be part of the still young overall and talented FVSU defense. At linebacker, Lawson finished third on the unit with 55 stops, 5.5 tackles for loss and a sack, while Austin completed his true freshman campaign with 39 tackles, four breakups and an interception.

Punt return Ellington ran back 16 punts for 110 yards with a long of 32 yards, while he also raced 11 kick-offs back for 248 yards. The senior wide receiver pulled in 11 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns as part of the FVSU attack.

On the Second Team, Mosley was second on the Wildcat defense with 56 total tackles, one pass breakup and a fumble recovery as a freshman. Harris jumps onto the Second Team as a kick returner after he returned 11 kick-offs for 212 yards.

2023 SIAC Football Preseason Rankings
  1. Benedict
  2. Albany State
  3. Tuskegee
  4. Fort Valley State
  5. Savannah State
  6. Lane
  7. Edward Waters
  8. Miles
  9. Central State
  10. Clark Atlanta
  11. Allen
  12. Kentucky State
  13. Morehouse
 
2023 SIAC Football Preseason Awards
 
Superlative Awards
 
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Kelvin Durham, Fort Valley State Loobert Denelus, Benedict
 
2023 SIAC Football Preseason Teams
First Team
Position Name School Classification Hometown
Offensive Lineman Josh Simon Albany State Senior Atlanta, GA
Offensive Lineman Kyle Frazier Savannah State Junior Augusta, GA
Offensive Lineman Riyon Adams Savannah State Junior Vidalia, GA
Offensive Lineman Kyle Frazier Savannah State Junior Augusta, GA
Offensive Lineman Jemeil Jackson Fort Valley State Junior Hampton, GA
Tight End Gentry Sparks Fort Valley State Junior Tallahassee, FL
Wide Receiver Jacquez Jones Lane Junior Orlando, FL
Wide Receiver Corintheus Edmonds Fort Valley State Senior Atlanta, GA
Running Back Noah Zaire Scotland Benedict Sophomore Walhalla, S.C.
Running Back Shamarcus Poole Savannah State Junior Sandersville, GA
Quarterback Kelvin Durham Fort Valley State Sophomore Homestead, FL
Defensive Lineman Tim Alderman Fort Valley State Junior Fort Valley, GA
Defensive Lineman Loobert Denelus Benedict Senior Naples, FL
Defensive Lineman Jeremy Dees Tuskegee Senior Evergreen, AL
Defensive Lineman Mike White Central State Sophomore Springfield, OH
Linebacker Vincent Hill Tuskegee Sophomore Fairburn, GA
Linebacker Jalil Lenore Central State Sophomore Chicago, IL
Linebacker Kentrell Lawson Fort Valley State Junior Marianna, FL
Defensive Back Zelly Aldridge Tuskegee Junior Gallon, AL
Defensive Back Jaree Turner Albany State Junior Ocala, FL
Defensive Back Walter Tatum Lane Junior Notasulga, AL
Defensive Back Landon Austin Fort Valley State Sophomore Montezuma, GA
Kicker Noah Shalz Lane Sophomore Smyrna, TN
Punter Ryan Duff Tuskegee Senior Mobile, AL
Punt Returner Hakeem Ellington Fort Valley State Senior Summerville, S.C.
Kick Returner Jaylin Peterson Miles Junior Birmingham, AL
 
Second Team
Position Name School Classification Hometown
Offensive Lineman Eric Blair Miles Senior Miami, FL
Offensive Lineman Tyler Lowery Miles Senior Evergreen, AL
Offensive Lineman Mitchell Romig Benedict Junior Jacksonville, FL
Offensive Lineman Roger Smith Benedict Sophomore Cleveland, OH
Offensive Lineman Dylan Lampkin Edward Waters Senior Jacksonville, FL
Tight End Henry Calixte Lane Sophomore Orlando, FL
Wide Receiver Brandon Brock Central State Senior Norfolk, VA
Wide Receiver Antonio Meeks Tuskegee Sophomore Lilburn, GA
Running Back Kamran Ward Albany State Sophomore Oscilla, GA
Running Back Deondra Duehart Benedict Sophomore Macon, GA
Quarterback Dionte Bonneau Albany State Junior Atlanta, GA
Defensive Lineman Jayden Broughton Benedict Junior Monks Corner, S.C.
Defensive Lineman Aaron Miller Benedict Junior Decatur, GA
Defensive Lineman Roosevelt Thompson Miles Junior Dixon Mills, AL
Defensive Lineman Jalen Pugh Albany State Sophomore Jonesboro, GA
Linebacker Dialo Mosley Fort Valley State Sophomore Atlanta, GA
Linebacker Gary Bourrage Allen Senior Kemper, MS
Linebacker Dedrick Starkes Benedict Junior Columbia, S.C.
Defensive Back Joshua Heyward Benedict Junior Johns Island, S.C.
Defensive Back Dartrelle Rolle Edward Waters Senior Miami, FL
Defensive Back Graderius Brown Miles Junior Linden, AL
Defensive Back Antonio Kennon Jr. Tuskegee Junior Atlanta, GA
Kicker Kenneth Lockhart Savannah State Senior Hinesville, GA
Punter Ishmael Sanders Edward Waters Senior Jacksonville, FL
Punt Returner Rashad Jordan Albany State Senior Atlanta, GA
Kick Returner Justin Harris Fort Valley State Junior Fort Valley, GA

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
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