CBSSports.com released its 2012 Preseason All-Sun Belt Team

Many players from the Sun Belt Conference made it to the CBSSports.com Preseason All Sun Belt Team. It’s no surprise that Ryan Aplin was at the top of the list and several of our Sun Belt teams received recognition.

 

Here is a look at the 2012 CBSSports.com Preseason All Sun Belt Team.

Offense

Quarterback

Ryan Aplin, Arkansas State - The reigning Sun Belt Conference player of the year is back after throwing for 3,588 yards and rushing for 588. He also threw 19 touchdowns, while rushing for 10 more. Aplin ranked tenth in the country in total offense last season with 321.2 yards per game.

Also considered: Corey Robinson, Troy; Blaine Gautier, Louisiana-Lafayette

Running Back

Kedrick Rhodes, FIU - The conference's top returning rusher, compiling 1,149 yards on 234 carries (4.9 avg) last season with eight touchdowns. Rhodes has already been named to the Doak Walker Award watch list.

Alonzo Harris, Louisiana-Lafayette - Returns after an outstanding freshman season where he finished with 700 yards rushing and eight touchdowns where he earned Sun Belt Freshman of the Year honors. Look for Harris to have a big season for the Ragin Cajuns.

Also considered: Jyruss Edwards, Louisiana-Monroe; William Pratcher, Middle Tennessee

Wide Receivers

Eric Thomas, Troy - Thomas was a second team All-Sun Belt member last season after leading his team with 67 catches for 875 yards. He also led the Sun Belt with nine touchdown receptions. Thomas also led Troy in receiving in 10 of the 12 games.

Javone Lawson, Louisiana-Lafayette - A first-team all-Sun Belt member last season, recording 1,092 yards on 63 catches with eight touchdowns. Ranked 32nd in the nation in receiving yards per game.

Brent Leonard, Louisiana-Monroe - Leonard returns for his season after being named second-team all-conference last season. He led the Warhawks with 69 catches for 751 yards and four touchdowns. Leonard had 13 catches for 92 yards against TCU last season.

Also considered: Taylor Stockemer, Arkansas State; Josh Jarboe, Arkansas State; Harry Peoples, Louisiana-Lafayette

Tight End

Jack Doyle, Western Kentucky - One of the best tight ends in the nation, Doyle set career highs last season with 52 catches for 614 yards. Doyle has already been named to the Mackey Award watch list.

Also considered:Wes Sexton, South Alabama

Offensive Tackles

Caylin Hauptmann, FIU and Leonardo Bates, Louisiana-Lafayette - Hauptmann, who was named to the Outland Trophy Watch List, was an unanimous first-team All-Sun Belt selection last season and the leader of the FIU offensive line. Bates also earned all-conference honors last season, playing in 887 of the team's 936 snaps where he recorded 19 knockdowns.

Also considered: Zack McKnight, Arkansas State; Cam Feldt North Texas

Offensive Guards

Cyril Lemon, North Texas and Darius McKeller, South Alabama - Lemon is back after being named honorable mention All-Sun Belt last season. Was the anchor on the offensive line that didn't allow any sacks against Houston, Alabama or Indiana. McKeller is our darkhorse in the Sun Belt. The former Alabama recruit transferred to South Alabama and will play this season. The 6-foot-6, 295-pound guard and former five-star recruit should make an immediate impact.

Also considered: Adam Smith, Western Kentucky; Jonathan Gill, Louisiana-Monroe

Center

Alex Stuart, Middle Tennessee - Stuart, who also played right tackle, returns as the top center in the conference. Allowed just one sack last season and had 28 knockdowns after playing 550 total snaps in 2011.

Also considered: Sean Conway, Western Kentucky

Defense

Defensive Ends

Tourek Williams, FIU and Quanterus Smith, Western Kentucky - Williams is one of the best defenders in the conference, finishing with a team-leading 13 tackles for a loss last season and 4.5 sacks. Smith gives Western Kentucky a force at defensive end, recording 7.5 sacks last season.

Also considered: Tony Davis, Troy; Omar McLendon, Middle Tennessee

Defensive Tackles

Isame Faciane, FIU and Jamarcus Allen, Western Kentucky - Faciane is back for another season after recording 32 tackles, including 8.5 for a loss. The junior also recorded three sacks. Allen looks to improve on a huge season last year where he set career highs in tackles (39) and tackles for a loss with seven.

Also considered: Kendall Dangerfield, Middle Tennessee; Ryan Boutwell, North Texas

Linebackers

Winston Fraser, FIU - Fraser returns for his senior season, after leading FIU with 108 tackles, including 64 solo. He was previously an all-Sun Belt selection during his sophomore and junior seasons.

Andrew Jackson, Western Kentucky - The anchor of the linebacker crew for the Hilltoppoers, earning first-team all-conference after finishing with 109 tackles and 17 tackles for a loss last year. Against Navy last year, he had one of his best performances, recording 10 tackles and forcing a fumble.

Randell Johnson, Florida Atlantic - Johnson finished second on the team with 92 tackles and third in the Sun Belt with 14.5 tackles last season and should see another strong season as he returns for his junior year.

Also considered: Jordan Hunt, FIU; David Hinds, FAU; Zach Orr, North Texas; Nathan Herrold, Arkansas State; Jake Johnson, South Alabama

Cornerbacks

Melvin White, Lousiaian-Lafayette - Was a honorable mention pick in the conference last year, finishing with 64 tackles, including 50 solo. He also recorded two interceptions last year after starting all 13 games at cornerback.

Chaz Scales, Arkansas State - Returns as the conference leader in passes broken up with 11. He played all 13 games, recording 33 tackles with one interception for the Red Wolves last season.

Also considered: Jemarlous Moten, Louisiana-Lafayette; Vincent Eddie, Louisiana-Monroe

Safeties

Brynden Trawick, Troy - One of the better tackling safties in the nation, Trawick was a first team selection after recording 123 tackles, including 75 solo.

Jonathan Cyprien, FIU - Cyprien was a second-team all-conference selection last year after finishing third on the team in tackles with 81 with eight passes broken up.

Also considered: Kareem Peterson, Western Kentucky; Don Jones, Arkansas State

Special Teams

Kicker

Brett Baer, Louisiana-Lafayette - You might remember Baer as the guy who hit the 50-yard field as time expired to give Louisiana-Lafayette a win in the New Orleans Bowl. He is one of the best, connecting on 18 field goals last season and 46 extra points.

Also considered: Jack Griffin, FIU

Punter

Will Atterberry, North Texas - Atterberry finished 24th in the nation, averaging 43.5 yards per punt on 74 punts. Had a career game against FIU, landing four punts inside the 20, including one at the 1-yard line.

Also considered: Josh Brisk, FIU

KR: John Evans, Western Kentucky
PR: Darryl Surgent, Louisiana-Lafayette