Moses Ellis Named SWAC Preseason Player of the Year

Panthers Picked Third In Preseason Poll

With football season around the corner, several members of the Prairie View A&M football program ventured to Birmingham, Ala. for the Southwestern Athletic Conference annual football media day on Tuesday. Five players received All-SWAC Honors with senior defensive back Moses Ellis (Fort Worth, Texas/Everman) named the 2011 SWAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. As a team, the Panthers were picked to finish third in the SWAC West.

Ellis' selection marks the second straight year the Panthers had an individual named the league's top player as former quarterback K.J. Black earned the offensive honor in 2010. Last season, Ellis led the nation (FCS) with eight interceptions and broke up 14 passes with two fumble recoveries.

Also joining Ellis on the first team was offensive lineman James Dekle (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Dillard). Dekle is a three-year All-SWAC starter and performer at guard and will be looked upon to anchor the offensive line as the Panthers break in a new offense this fall. Earning second team honors were senior offensive lineman Tim Tusey (Houston, Texas/Booker T. Washington), senior defensive end Adrian Hamilton (Dallas, Texas/Carter) and sophomore linebacker Marcus White (Houston, Texas/Jones).

Led by first-year head coach Heishma Northern, the Panthers return to campus on Aug. 8 as they prepare for their 2011 season opener in Orlando, Fla. versus Bethune-Cookman University on ESPN at 11 a.m. in the annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney.

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