SPORTS
12 Wildcats Named to Phil Steele’s Preseason All-PFL Team
Wildcat football scholar-athletes were on hand signing posters during FanFest at Richardson Stadium.
DAVIDSON, N.C. – Highlighted by three first-team selections, a record 12 Davidson Wildcats have been selected to Phil Steele’s Preseason All-Pioneer Football League Team, as announced by the publication Monday.
The team is chosen by prominent football contributor, Phil Steele, and staff members of DraftScouts.com.
On the offensive side of the ball, seniors Coy Williams (RB) and Khalil Miller (OL) were voted first team, while reigning PFL Freshman Defensive Player of the Year Jonathan Hammond was one of four defensive linemen tabbed.
Williams, who finished the abbreviated spring slate with 521 yards on the ground, led PFL backs with seven touchdowns, while averaging 5.1 yards per carry.
(right to left) Davidson head football coach Scott Abell, Player development coordinator Austin Eisenhofer, Cornerbacks coach Tafon Mainsah, and Assistant head coach Jon Berlin.
A native of Lithonia, Ga., the 6-3, 300-pound Miller helped solidify the nation’s top-ranked rushing attack as Davidson averaged 280.0 yards-per-game on the ground, the statistical leader for the second time in three years under last season’s PFL Coach of the Year Scott Abell.
Hammond was disruptive in his first season forcing three fumbles, recovering two more, to go along with 22 tackles, 9.5 for loss, and 4.0 sacks.
Williams’ backfield mate Dylan Sparks, who finished with four touchdowns and rushed for a team-best 574 yards in the spring, was joined on the second team by seniors Jalen Staples (WR), Jackson Sherrard (TE), Cole Foley (OL) and Jake Alexander (LB).
Junior defensive back Kaedon Jenkins, along with special teamers Caden Bonoffski (kicker), Evan Pritchard (punter) and Mark McCurdy (all-purpose back), were voted to the third team.
The 12 preseason selections are up two from last year’s previous record of 10.
Coming off their first-ever Division I FCS Playoff appearance, the preseason favorites in the PFL will kick-off the 2021 season Sept. 4 at VMI. Davidson will open its home slate the following weekend against Shaw.
Phil Steele Preseason All-Pioneer Football League
First Team
Coy Williams, Senior, Running Back
Khalil Miller, Senior, Offensive Lineman
Jonathan Hammond, Sophomore, Defensive Lineman
Second Team
Dylan Sparks, Junior, Running Back
Jalen Staples, Senior, Wide Receiver
Jackson Sherrard, Senior, Tight End
Cole Foley, Senior, Offensive Lineman
Jake Alexander, Senior, Linebacker
Third Team
Kaedon Jenkins, Junior, Defensive Back
Caden Bonoffski, Junior, Kicker
Evan Pritchard, Senior, Punter
Mark McCurdy, Sophomore, All-Purpose Back