SEMO football team predicted to finish fifth by coaches and SIDs

The Southeast Missouri State football team was tabbed for a fifth-place finish in this year's Ohio Valley Conference preseason poll, which is voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.

Jacksonville State, which went undefeated en route to the conference title the last two seasons and reached the FCS National Championship game last season, was picked as the favorite, receiving 16 of the 18 first-place votes. It's the fifth time in seven years that JSU has been picked first in the poll.

Eastern Illinois received the other two first-place votes and landed at third in the poll with 97 points. JSU had 128 points and Eastern Kentucky was second with 100 points.

UT Martin was fourth with 96, Southeast received 66 points and Tennessee State was sixth with 55.

Tennessee Tech (45), Murray State (43) and Austin Peay (18) rounded out the poll, which was released during the OVC's annual media day in Nashville on Monday morning.

The Redhawks, who went 4-7 and 3-4 in the OVC last year, were also picked to finish fifth in a poll of members of the media who cover the OVC.

Five Redhawks were selected to the preseason All-OVC team: running back Tremane McCullough, guard Garret Baker, linebacker Roper Garrett, cornerback Mike Ford and safety Eriq Moore.

JSU QB Eli Jenkins was picked preseason Offensive Player of the Year and JSU defensive lineman Darius Jackson was picked preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Complete Preseason All-OVC Team:

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Eli Jenkins (QB), Jacksonville State

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Darius Jackson (DL), Jacksonville State

OFFENSE

QB - Eli Jenkins, Jacksonville State

RB - Tremane McCullough, Southeast Missouri State

RB - Devin Church, Eastern Illinois

WR - Josh Barge, Jacksonville State

WR - Patrick Smith, Tennessee State

WR - Brock McCoin, Tennessee Tech

TE - Jesse Blackburn, Murray State

C - Casey Dunn, Jacksonville State

OG - Jessamen Dunker, Tennessee State

OG - Garret Baker, Southeast Missouri State

OT - Justin Lea, Jacksonville State

OT - Dylan Cline, Jacksonville State

OT - Justin Adekoya, Eastern Kentucky

DEFENSE

DL - Ebenezer Ogundeko, Tennessee State

DL - Darius Jackson, Jacksonville State

DL - Damani Taylor, UT Martin

DL - Desmond Owino, Jacksonville State

LB - Roper Garrett, Southeast Missouri State

LB - Joel McCandless, Jacksonville State

LB - Seth McDonald, Eastern Illinois

DB - Maleek Hall, Tennessee Tech

DB - Mike Ford, Southeast Missouri State

DB - Bradley Dewberry, Eastern Illinois

DB - Jaylen Hill, Jacksonville State

DB - Eriq Moore, Southeast Missouri State

SPECIALISTS

K -- Lucas Williams, Eastern Kentucky

P - Keith Wrzuszczak, Eastern Kentucky

RS - Lawon DeBardelaben, Jacksonville State