BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Delta State University Statesmen football team holds nine spots on the 2024 Preseason All-Gulf South Conference Football Team, as voted on by the league's head coaches. Delta State claimed the second most spots among the conference and had a conference-best six offensive selections.
Running back
Kelvin Smith, receivers
Jalen May and
Jaylen Green, and offensive linemen
Nolan Troyer,
Jaelon Brown, and
Gavin Campbell were tabbed along with defensive lineman
Demario Martin, defensive back
Marlon Windham, and kicker
Nick Herber.
An offense that completed the 2023 season ranked in the Top 10 nationally in several offensive categories and finished the season atop the GSC in offense averaging 42.9 points per game, Statesmen claimed half of the possible receiver spots and 3-of-5 offensive linemen spots on the preseason team.
In his junior season,
Kelvin Smith found the endzone nine times, recording 875 yards on 149 carries. The Columbus native's best outing happened at Valdosta where he totaled 181 yards of offense on 23 carries and a career-high three touchdowns. His efforts last season earned him All-GSC First Team honors at the running back position.
The trio up front in Troyer, Brown, and Campbell excelled in their junior seasons, contributing to an offense that ranked 8
th nationally in rushing offense, averaging 224.2 yards per game. In 12 games, Delta State attempted 486 carries for 2,690 yards and 31 rushing touchdowns. Allowing only seven sacks in 12 games, DSU finished the season tied for third in NCAA Division II in sacks allowed. The Green-and-White also ranked fifth in DII in third down conversion percentage, with 86 conversions on 165 attempts (52.1%). Brown and Campbell each earned All-GSC First Team honors last season, while Troyer was named to second team as a center.
May and Green played in all 12 games for the Statesmen last season and led all Delta State receivers. May, an All-GSC Second Team selection in 2023, led the team with 35 grabs for 549 yards, averaging 45.8 yards per game. Green, of Norcross, Ga., ranked first in yards per reception with 17.1 and receiving touchdowns with eight scores. He averaged 39.9 yards per game and recorded a career-high 105 yards on 6 receptions against West Florida in the first round of the playoffs.
This marks Martin's first GSC award recognition, coming off a season that saw the defensive lineman record 23 tackles, 12 solo and 11 assisted, 6 tackles for loss for 60 yards, 4 sacks for 53 yards of loss, two forced fumbles and fumble recoveries, and 2 quarterback hurries. Windham was an All-GSC Second Team selection last season after registering 59 tackles, 36 solo and 23 assisted. The 6-1 defensive back grabbed his first career pick-six on an interception against West Alabama that saw him return the ball 33 yards for the score.
Herber, an All-GSC First Team selection in 2023, went 10-for-13 on field goals last season with a season-long and career-high 45-yarder against Missouri S&T. The Naples, Fla., native recorded a season-high three field goals against Mississippi Valley and was 66-for-68 on PATs.
The Statesmen won back-to-back GSC Championships in 2022 and 2023 and look to build off that momentum. They were picked to finish third in the Preseason Coaches Poll and will begin the 2024 campaign with a road game against Mars Hill University on Thursday, August 29 at Meares Stadium in Mars Hill, N.C. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. The home opener will see the Statesmen host Missouri S&T at Parker Field-McCool Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 6 p.m. Delta State will also celebrate the 38
th Annual Pig Pickin' that weekend.
2024 Football Preseason All-GSC Team
Offense
QB: Sammy Edwards, Valdosta State, Sr.!
RB: Marcus Williams, Mississippi College, Sr.!
RB/AP: Kelvin Smith, Delta State, Sr.!
WR: Dre' Williams, North Greenville, Sr.!
WR: Jalen May, Delta State, Sr.!
WR: Tyree Holloway, West Florida, So.
WR: Jaylen Green, Delta State, Sr.
TE: Noah Gillan, Valdosta State, Sr.!
C: Nolan Troyer, Delta State, Sr.!
OG: Colton Beasley, West Florida, R-Jr.!
OG: Jaelon Brown, Delta State, Sr.*
OT: Gavin Campbell, Delta State, Sr.*
OT: Ben Freeman, West Florida, Gr.
Defense
DL: Davonta Jackson, West Alabama, Sr.*
DL: Byron Puryear, West Florida, Sr.!
DL: Traevon Mitchell, West Florida, Jr.*
DL: Demario Martin, Delta State, Sr.
LB: Trevon Stanford, West Alabama, Gr.*
LB: Ralph Ortiz, West Florida, So.
LB: Will Breland, West Florida, Sr.
LB: De'Iveon Donald, North Greenville, R-Sr.!
DB: Marlon Windham, Delta State, Sr.!
DB: Virgil Lemons, West Florida, Sr.
DB: EJ Bradford, North Greenville, Sr.!
DB: David Brown IV, Mississippi College, Gr.#
DB: Donovan Barnes, West Florida, So.#
Special Teams
K: Nick Herber, Delta State, Sr.*
P: Michael Shine, Mississippi College, Jr.*
RS: Marcus Williams, Mississippi College, Sr.!
STU: Don Volante, West Florida, Jr.
* First Team All-GSC in 2023
! Second Team All-GSC in 2023
