May 13, 2009

2009 Consensus Draft Services Preseason All-America Team

Center Valley, Pa. - The first preseason All-America lists for the 2009 Football Championship Subdivision season are out, and the Patriot League was well represented with seven players earning honorable mention status on the Consensus Draft Services Preseason FCS All-America Teams.

The Patriot League selections included a pair of senior quarterbacks, reigning two-time Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year Holy Cross' Dominic Randolph as well as Fordham's John Skelton. The remaining picks all came on defense, with Lehigh senior Matt Cohen and Lafayette senior Mark Leggiero at linebacker and Bucknell junior Ahkiel White, Lehigh junior Jarard Cribbs and Holy Cross senior Michael Wright in the defensive backfield.

Randolph earned First-Team All-Patriot League honors in addition to his second consecutive Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year award in 2008, and finished as a candidate for the Walter Payton Award (Most Outstanding Player in FCS). He enters the 2009 campaign as the Patriot League career leader in completions (821) and passing touchdowns (83), and within 140 yards of becoming the League's all-time leader in passing yardage. He also begins the 2009 season with a streak of eight-consecutive 300-yard passing games.

Skelton begins his final season at Fordham in the top 15 in Patriot League annals in completions, attempts and passing yards. He carries career marks of 518-of-922 for 6,215 yards, and helped Fordham to the League title in 2007.

Cohen and Leggiero each received First-Team All-Patriot League recognition in 2008. Cohen recorded 53 tackles and led the Patriot League with 17 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks while sharing the League lead with three interceptions. Leggiero finished the 2008 campaign with 93 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception. Both senior leaders also received Second-Team All-Patriot League honors in 2007.

Cribbs and Wright were each named Second-Team All-Patriot League selections a year ago. Cribbs tied for the Patriot League lead with three interceptions and also recorded 10 pass breakups. Wright totaled 12 pass breakups and an interception to go with 34 tackles for the Crusaders. White tallied 46 tackles and two interceptions for the Bison in 2008.

The Consensus Draft Services Preseason All-America team included 183 players from Football Championship Subdivision teams. Randolph and Skelton were named by the organization for the second year in a row, while the Patriot League eclipsed last year's total of five selections.

Patriot League Football teams open the season on Sept. 5, including the League opener as Georgetown visits Holy Cross.