Today, TSA announced its watch lists for the 2016 SoCon Player of the Year and various associated positional honors, including quarterback, running back, offensive line, wide receiver, tight end, defensive line, linebacker, defensive secondary, kicker, punter, and long snapper. The watch lists will once again incorporate a broad spectrum of league teams. There will also be a watch list for the TSA SoCon Coach of the Year.
TSA is a member of the Global American College Football Awards Consortium (GACFAC), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. GACFAC is the standard-bearer for tradition-selection excellence.
The membership of TSA unveils the preseason watch lists in a series of four releases, one for offensive players, one for defensive players, one for special teams stalwarts, and one for coaches. All players listed are eligible for TSA’s SoCon Player of the Year, as well as honors for each of their respective positional categories.
Players not listed on any TSA watch list are ineligible for any post-season honors. However, TSA has a unique appeals process by which a player not on a watch list can be nominated for a special exemption. Any players granted such an exemption will be named to their respective TSA late-season watch lists for each positional category, and would become eligible for league player of the year as well.
Without further ado, here are the TSA watch lists for the SoCon’s defensive positions. Congratulations to all the players who were selected.
(As noted earlier, other releases will feature the offensive and special teams watch lists, and the TSA SoCon Coach of the Year Watch List.)
Link to watch lists — special teams
Link to watch list — Coach of the Year, Southern Conference
Defensive Linemen
| A.J. Stokes | DL | Fr. | The Citadel | |
| Adam Wawrzynski | DL | R-Fr. | The Citadel | |
| Ahmad Gooden | DL | FR | Samford | |
| Alex Nolan | DL | Jr. | Wofford | |
| Alfred Brown | DL | FR | Samford | |
| Andre Newton | DL | FR | Samford | |
| Andrew Mayton | DL | RS JR | Western Carolina | |
| Anthony Eads | DL | FR | Samford | |
| Anthony Perella | DL | JR | Mercer | |
| Austin Barrett | DL | SO | Mercer | |
| Austin Rowan | DL | Fr. | ETSU | |
| Austin Wysor | DL | FR | Mercer | |
| Avery Worsham | DL | SR | Western Carolina | |
| Blake Jones | DL | FR | Mercer | |
| Boston Bryant | DL | Sr. | Wofford | |
| Brad Minter | DL | Jr. | Furman | |
| Brad Noble | DL | SR | Samford | |
| Bradley Carter | DL | So. | The Citadel | |
| Brandon Bourk | DL | Jr. | Chattanooga | |
| Brandon Curtis | DL | Jr. | Wofford | |
| Brandon Zamary | DL | So. | Wofford | |
| Brian Ross | DL | R-Jr. | Furman | |
| Caleb Hester | DL | So. | The Citadel | |
| Carew Alvarez | DL | So. | Wofford | |
| Chinedu Okonya | DL | R-Fr. | Furman | |
| Chris Boudreaux | DL | Sr. | Wofford | |
| Chris Bouyer | DL | So. | ETSU | |
| Chris Washington | DL | Fr. | Furman | |
| Cody Jones | DL | JR | Mercer | |
| Colt Jenkins | DL | RSo. | ETSU | |
| Connor Jackson | DL | R-Fr. | Furman | |
| D.J. Prather | DL | Jr. | Chattanooga | |
| Daniel Nash | DL | SR | Western Carolina | |
| DeAndre Thornton | DL | R-So. | Furman | |
| Destin Guillen | DL | FR | Mercer | |
| Devon Johnson | DL | RFr. | ETSU | |
| Dillon Vann | DL | Fr. | Furman | |
| Dorian Kithcart | DL | FR | Mercer | |
| Emeka Ikezu | DL | SO | Samford | |
| Ezavian Dunn | DL | JR | Western Carolina | |
| F. Charles | DL | RJr. | ETSU | |
| Fred Mooring | DL | SR | Western Carolina | |
| Hawk Schrider | DL | So. | Chattanooga | |
| Holden Edwards | DL | FR | Western Carolina | |
| Horace Roberts | DL | FR | Samford | |
| Hudson Brett | DL | FR | Mercer | |
| Ian Hayes | DL | Fr. | Chattanooga | |
| Isaiah Mack | DL | So. | Chattanooga | |
| J.C. Garvin | DL | RSr. | VMI | |
| Jake Helms | DL | FR | Western Carolina | |
| Jake Kingree | DL | JR | Samford | |
| Jalen Penn | DL | SO | Mercer | |
| Ja’Lon Williams | DL | R-Fr. | The Citadel | |
| James Stone | DL | Sr. | Chattanooga | |
| Jared Holloway | DL | JR | Samford | |
| Jarrod Richmond | DL | RFr. | VMI | |
| Jason Maduafokwa | DL | RFr. | ETSU | |
| Jay Gibbs | DL | RS FR | Western Carolina | |
| Jaylan Reid | DL | R-Fr. | Furman | |
| Joe Crochet | DL | Sr. | The Citadel | |
| Joe Dossett | DL | So. | ETSU | |
| Joe Pittman | DL | RFr. | ETSU | |
| John Mobley | DL | RSo. | VMI | |
| Jonah Tibbs | DL | Fr. | Furman | |
| Jonathan King | DL | Jr. | The Citadel | |
| Jordan Harris | DL | Fr. | Furman | |
| Jordan Hawkins | DL | Jr. | Furman | |
| Jose Casanova | DL | SR | Samford | |
| Joseph Randolph II | DL | Fr. | The Citadel | |
| Justin Foster | DL | FR | Samford | |
| Justin King | DL | Sr. | Chattanooga | |
| Justin Minick | DL | SR | Samford | |
| Keionta Davis | DL | Sr. | Chattanooga | |
| Kelly Brooks | DL | JR | Mercer | |
| Ken Allen | DL | So. | The Citadel | |
| Kevin Graham | DL | So. | The Citadel | |
| Khayyan Edwards | DL | Fr. | Chattanooga | |
| Marvin Davis | DL | JR | Mercer | |
| Matt DeGraffinreed | DL | RS SR | Western Carolina | |
| Mikel Horton | DL | Fr. | Wofford | |
| Miles Brown | DL | So. | Wofford | |
| Mitchell Smith | DL | JR | Samford | |
| Myreon Bennett | DL | RS FR | Western Carolina | |
| Nasir Player | DL | RFr. | ETSU | |
| Nick Collins | DL | JR | Mercer | |
| Noah Dawkins | DL | So. | The Citadel | |
| Olajuwon Pinkelton | DL | Fr. | ETSU | |
| Robbie Armstrong | DL | Fr. | Wofford | |
| R. Donaldson | DL | JR | Samford | |
| Royce Turnbull | DL | RJr. | ETSU | |
| Ryan Clark | DL | Fr. | VMI | |
| Sam Parker | DL | Sr. | The Citadel | |
| Seth Mallory | DL | RSr. | VMI | |
| Shavon Henderson | DL | RSo. | VMI | |
| Sheldon Kinard | DL | RS JR | Western Carolina | |
| Steven Cornellier | DL | Jr. | Wofford | |
| T.J. Warren | DL | R-Jr. | Furman | |
| Tahjai Watt | DL | RS JR | Western Carolina | |
| Tashion Singleton | DL | GS | Western Carolina | |
| Taylor Reynolds | DL | Jr. | Chattanooga | |
| Telvin Jones | DL | Fr. | Chattanooga | |
| Terrell Woods | DL | JR | Samford | |
| Thad Mangum | DL | R-Fr. | Wofford | |
| Thad Stevenson-Panchisin | DL | RFr. | VMI | |
| Toney Benson | DL | Jr. | Wofford | |
| Tony Zaffore | DL | So. | Chattanooga | |
| Travis Johnson | DL | Jr. | The Citadel | |
| Tra’von Ricketts | DL | RS FR | Western Carolina | |
| Tremond Ferrell | DL | So. | ETSU | |
| Tre’Von White | DL | So. | The Citadel | |
| T. Jachimowicz | DL | Jr. | Chattanooga | |
| Tunde Ayinla | DL | JR | Mercer | |
| Tyler Junius | DL | JR | Western Carolina | |
| Tyler Vaughn | DL | Jr. | Wofford | |
| Vantrel McMillan | DL | Sr. | Chattanooga | |
| Xavier Forrest | DL | SO | Samford | |
| Xavier Greenfield | DL | Jr. | VMI | |
| Zachary Greene | DL | RS SO | Western Carolina | |
| Zack Baker | DL | RSo. | VMI | |
| Zack Lockhart | DL | Fr. | VMI | |
Linebackers
| Aaron Harris | LB | FR | Samford | |
| Alec Happel | LB | FR | Samford | |
| Alijah Robinson | LB | Sr. | VMI | |
| Allan Cratsenberg | LB | Jr. | VMI | |
| Andrew Birkmire | LB | FR | Western Carolina | |
| Austin Chapman | LB | SO | Samford | |
| Austin Gatewood | LB | RSo. | ETSU | |
| Austin Howard | LB | Fr. | ETSU | |
| Austin Mosier | LB | RFr. | ETSU | |
| Bill Hogan | LB | RSo. | VMI | |
| Billy Hinton | LB | So. | Wofford | |
| Blake Bockrath | LB | Fr. | ETSU | |
| Brad Lipscomb | LB | RSr. | VMI | |
| Brandon Brown | LB | Fr. | Wofford | |
| Brian Lipscomb | LB | RSo. | VMI | |
| Byron Johnson | LB | Jr. | Furman | |
| Caleb Lindsey | LB | Sr. | VMI | |
| Campbell Jackson | LB | R-Fr. | Wofford | |
| Carl Rider | LB | R-Jr. | Furman | |
| Carter McManes | LB | SO | Samford | |
| Chris Seaborn | LB | JR | Western Carolina | |
| Cj Kleckley | LB | JR | Mercer | |
| Clark Dupree | LB | FR | Samford | |
| Cody Bennett | LB | So. | Chattanooga | |
| Cody Floyd | LB | So. | The Citadel | |
| Cody Peregoy | LB | RFr. | VMI | |
| C. Cunningham | LB | RS SR | Western Carolina | |
| Colton Clemons | LB | Jr. | Wofford | |
| Colton Lakes | LB | Fr. | ETSU | |
| Connor Riddle | LB | Fr. | VMI | |
| Corey Lockett | LB | JR | Mercer | |
| Cory Carter | LB | FR | Samford | |
| Dale Warren | LB | Jr. | Chattanooga | |
| D’Andre Belton | LB | RS SO | Western Carolina | |
| Daniel Riddle | LB | RS JR | Western Carolina | |
| Darnell Ashton | LB | Sr. | VMI | |
| Daryl Vining | LB | Jr. | Wofford | |
| Datavious Wilson | LB | Fr. | Wofford | |
| Deion Pierre | LB | SO | Samford | |
| Denzel Wright | LB | Fr. | The Citadel | |
| Derek Slaughter | LB | SR | Samford | |
| Derek Wilson | LB | RFr. | VMI | |
| Devin Davidson | LB | JR | Mercer | |
| Dillon Woodruff | LB | R-So. | Furman | |
| D. Perryman | LB | Fr. | Furman | |
| D. Copeland | LB | Sr. | The Citadel | |
| Dorsett Johnson | LB | FR | Samford | |
| Dru Seabrook | LB | Fr. | Furman | |
| Dylan Weigel | LB | RSo. | ETSU | |
| Dylan Young | LB | Jr. | Wofford | |
| Elliott Brewster | LB | Fr. | VMI | |
| Emory McKenzie | LB | Fr. | Furman | |
| Garrett Hicks | LB | R-Fr. | Wofford | |
| Gregory Pappas | LB | Jr. | The Citadel | |
| Isaiah Buehler | LB | FR | Mercer | |
| Israel Battle | LB | Jr. | The Citadel | |
| J.C. Coy | LB | Fr. | VMI | |
| Jack Raines | LB | FR | Mercer | |
| Jacob Powell | LB | R-Fr. | Furman | |
| Jake Brooks | LB | FR | Mercer | |
| Jake Massey | LB | FR | Samford | |
| J. Donahue | LB | RFr. | VMI | |
| JD Griffin | LB | Fr. | ETSU | |
| Jeremy Samuels | LB | Fr. | The Citadel | |
| Jerod Walls | LB | RS FR | Western Carolina | |
| Jerry Langan | LB | Jr. | Furman | |
| Jireh Wilson | LB | Fr. | Wofford | |
| John Patterson | LB | Jr. | Wofford | |
| Jonathan Baker | LB | Fr. | VMI | |
| Jonathan Mooney | LB | JR | Samford | |
| Jonathan Ward | LB | FR | Mercer | |
| Jordan Thomas | LB | R-Fr. | The Citadel | |
| Josh Bennett | LB | JR | Mercer | |
| Josh Killett | LB | SR | Samford | |
| Justin Cooper | LB | SR | Samford | |
| Kahlil Mitchell | LB | So. | ETSU | |
| Kendall White | LB | JR | Western Carolina | |
| K. Wilson | LB | Fr. | Chattanooga | |
| Kuony Deng | LB | Fr. | VMI | |
| Kyle Trammell | LB | SO | Mercer | |
| Kyle Vails | LB | RS JR | Western Carolina | |
| Kyle Williams | LB | SO | Mercer | |
| Lee Bennett | LB | SO | Mercer | |
| Lincoln Stewart | LB | Sr. | Wofford | |
| Luke Davis | LB | Fr. | Chattanooga | |
| Michael Bean | LB | Fr. | Chattanooga | |
| Michael Minder | LB | RS FR | Western Carolina | |
| M. Rainwater | LB | JR | Mercer | |
| Michael Roach | LB | Jr. | Wofford | |
| Michael Wagner | LB | JR | Mercer | |
| Mitchell Chancey | LB | SO | Western Carolina | |
| Myles Pierce | LB | Jr. | The Citadel | |
| Najee Lawrence | LB | Fr. | VMI | |
| Nakevion Leslie | LB | Sr. | Chattanooga | |
| Nathan Sanders | LB | So. | Wofford | |
| Neil Monaghan | LB | So. | Wofford | |
| Phil Davis | LB | R-Fr. | The Citadel | |
| P. Whitehead | LB | Fr. | ETSU | |
| Quinlan Washington | LB | So. | The Citadel | |
| Raleigh Webb | LB | Fr. | The Citadel | |
| River Boruff | LB | RSo. | ETSU | |
| Russell Hubbs | LB | So. | The Citadel | |
| Ryan Francis | LB | RJr. | VMI | |
| Shaheed Salmon | LB | SO | Samford | |
| Spencer Brien | LB | RSo. | ETSU | |
| T.J. Jenkins | LB | Jr. | Chattanooga | |
| Terrance Morris | LB | Jr. | Wofford | |
| Tevin Floyd | LB | Sr. | The Citadel | |
| Tim Whatley | LB | So. | Chattanooga | |
| Tonne Osaigbovo | LB | JR | Samford | |
| Tony Richardson | LB | Jr. | VMI | |
| Tosin Aguebor | LB | JR | Mercer | |
| Tradd Deaver | LB | R-Fr. | The Citadel | |
| Travonte’ Easley | LB | FR | Mercer | |
| Trey Nelson | LB | Jr. | The Citadel | |
| Trey Quillin | LB | RSo. | ETSU | |
| Tripp Patterson | LB | JR | Mercer | |
| Troy Barden | LB | RJr. | VMI | |
| Tyler Fedison | LB | RFr. | VMI | |
| Tyler Queen | LB | FR | Samford | |
| Tyler Voyles | LB | Fr. | Furman | |
| Tyler Ward | LB | JR | Mercer | |
| Tyreik Lyles | LB | So. | Wofford | |
| Tyson Dickson | LB | SR | Western Carolina | |
| Weston Rountree | LB | So. | Wofford | |
| Will Coneway | LB | FR | Mercer | |
| Za’Von Whitaker | LB | R-Fr. | The Citadel | |
Defensive Backs
| A.J. Newman Jr. | DB | JR | WCU |
| Aaquil Annoor | DB | Fr. | Furman |
| Aaron Avant | DB | JR | Mercer |
| Adekunle Olusanya | DB | R-So. | Furman |
| Adrian King | DB | Fr. | Chattanooga |
| Alex Avant | DB | SR | Mercer |
| Alex Burch | DB | Fr. | Furman |
| Alex Keys | DB | RSr. | VMI |
| Alonzo Francois | DB | RSo. | ETSU |
| A. Heyward | DB | RFr. | ETSU |
| Andy Nichols | DB | JR | Mercer |
| A. Simpson | DB | FR | Samford |
| Aron Spann III | DB | So. | The Citadel |
| Ben Roberts | DB | Jr. | The Citadel |
| Bobby Gibbs | DB | RS SO | WCU |
| B. Meccariello | DB | R-Fr. | Furman |
| Bradley Lythgoe | DB | Fr. | VMI |
| Brandon Coney | DB | FR | Mercer |
| Brandon Gurley | DB | FR | Mercer |
| Bryan Okeh | DB | Fr. | Furman |
| Bryce Suber | DB | RFr. | ETSU |
| Bryce Wilson | DB | RS FR | WCU |
| C.J. Fritz | DB | So. | Chattanooga |
| C.J. Toomer | DB | SO | Samford |
| Carl Cunningham Jr. | DB | So. | The Citadel |
| Cedric Nettles | DB | Sr. | Chattanooga |
| C. Steverson | DB | Fr. | The Citadel |
| Charlie Jackson | DB | RFr. | ETSU |
| Chaz Claunch | DB | SO | Samford |
| Chris Armfield | DB | Sr. | Wofford |
| Chris Howard | DB | RFr. | ETSU |
| C. Gibson | DB | RFr. | ETSU |
| Christian Stark | DB | FR | Samford |
| C. Waddell | DB | Fr. | VMI |
| Cody Brooks | DB | JR | Samford |
| Cole Higbie | DB | Jr. | Wofford |
| Curt Nixon | DB | R-Fr. | The Citadel |
| Curtis Roach | DB | FR | WCU |
| D.J. Williams | DB | Fr. | Chattanooga |
| Damian Jones | DB | RSr. | VMI |
| Daren Ardis | DB | Jr. | ETSU |
| Darron Paschal | DB | Fr. | Wofford |
| Dee Delaney | DB | Jr. | The Citadel |
| D. Cortner | DB | FR | WCU |
| Devin Watson | DB | So. | Wofford |
| D. Redwood | DB | Fr. | Wofford |
| D. Williams | DB | So. | ETSU |
| D. Lemon | DB | So. | Wofford |
| Donovan Franks | DB | R-So. | Furman |
| E. Stawowczyk | DB | RSo. | VMI |
| Emerson Brooks | DB | FR | Samford |
| Eric Jackson | DB | FR | Mercer |
| Fred Payne | DB | SR | WCU |
| G. Sutherland | DB | RSo. | VMI |
| George Gbesee | DB | R-Fr. | Wofford |
| Graham Massey | DB | So. | Wofford |
| Greg Sanders | DB | Jr. | VMI |
| Jabari Scruggs | DB | JR | Mercer |
| Jack Jones | DB | RSo. | ETSU |
| Jackson Trawick | DB | Jr. | ETSU |
| Jacob Finerty | DB | RS FR | WCU |
| Jacque Evangelister | DB | Fr. | Furman |
| Jaleel Green | DB | Sr. | Wofford |
| J. Williams | DB | Jr. | Wofford |
| J. Milliken | DB | R-Jr. | Furman |
| J. Blount | DB | JR | Samford |
| Jamond Glass | DB | FR | Samford |
| Jarek Taylor | DB | FR | Samford |
| J. Williams | DB | Fr. | ETSU |
| Jaylon Harden | DB | Fr. | Furman |
| Jeremy James | DB | SO | Mercer |
| Jeremy Lewis | DB | Fr. | ETSU |
| Jevon Gooden | DB | Jr. | ETSU |
| J. Robinson | DB | FR | Mercer |
| Joe Farrar | DB | R-Fr. | Furman |
| John Brannon III | DB | FR | WCU |
| John Patrick | DB | Fr. | Furman |
| JoJo Tillery | DB | So. | Wofford |
| Jon Strozyk | DB | RJr. | VMI |
| Jordan Willis | DB | Fr. | Furman |
| Josh Kimberlin | DB | SR | Samford |
| K.J. Roper | DB | Fr. | Chattanooga |
| Kaelin Snead | DB | Fr. | VMI |
| Kailik Williams | DB | Jr. | The Citadel |
| Kaleb Tucker | DB | Fr. | VMI |
| Karee Carter | DB | So. | VMI |
| Kavajae Ellis | DB | Fr. | Furman |
| Keanu James | DB | So. | ETSU |
| Keion Crossen | DB | JR | WCU |
| Kevin Ferguson | DB | RFr. | ETSU |
| Khafari Buffalo | DB | R-Fr. | The Citadel |
| L. Bailey | DB | SO | Mercer |
| Lendell Arnold | DB | JR | Mercer |
| Le’Vonte Larry | DB | Fr. | Chattanooga |
| Lucas Webb | DB | Jr. | Chattanooga |
| Luke Cuneo | DB | R-Fr. | Furman |
| Luke Stokes | DB | FR | Samford |
| M. Herrington | DB | Fr. | ETSU |
| Malik Diggs | DB | Sr. | The Citadel |
| Malik Rivera | DB | So. | Wofford |
| Marvin Tillman | DB | SO | WCU |
| Mason Alstatt | DB | Fr. | Wofford |
| Matt Azemar | DB | SO | Samford |
| M. Nicholson | DB | Sr. | VMI |
| Michael Murphy | DB | FR | WCU |
| M. Sarafianos | DB | Jr. | Wofford |
| M. Williams | DB | RSo. | VMI |
| Mike Gray | DB | JR | Mercer |
| Mikey White | DB | SO | WCU |
| Montrell Pardue | DB | So. | Chattanooga |
| Nathan Peeples | DB | So. | The Citadel |
| Nevin Harton | DB | JR | Mercer |
| Nick Barton | DB | FR | Samford |
| Nick Miller | DB | Jr. | Furman |
| Nick Payne | DB | Fr. | ETSU |
| Nick Ward | DB | Jr. | Wofford |
| Omari Williams | DB | SO | Samford |
| Patrick Wells | DB | Fr. | Furman |
| Paul Hunter | DB | Jr. | ETSU |
| Pete Reed | DB | RJr. | VMI |
| Phil Barrett | DB | Fr. | The Citadel |
| Quandarius Weems | DB | Fr. | Furman |
| Richard Hayes III | DB | Jr. | Furman |
| R. Charles | DB | FR | Samford |
| Ryan Powers | DB | Sr. | ETSU |
| Ryan White | DB | SO | Samford |
| Sam Pettway | DB | SO | Samford |
| Scott Frazier | DB | RJr. | VMI |
| Sean Dumas | DB | Fr. | The Citadel |
| Sean McMahan | DB | Fr. | Chattanooga |
| Sean Rusnak | DB | R-Fr. | Furman |
| Sebastian Hicks | DB | JR | Mercer |
| Shamon Elliott | DB | FR | WCU |
| Shane Samuels | DB | RS JR | WCU |
| Shy Phillips | DB | Jr. | The Citadel |
| Stephen Gibbs | DB | FR | Samford |
| Stephen Houzah | DB | FR | Mercer |
| Stuart Smith | DB | R-Fr. | Furman |
| S. Brown | DB | JR | Mercer |
| Tae Davis | DB | Jr. | Chattanooga |
| Tavian Lott | DB | Sr. | ETSU |
| Tavon Lawson | DB | Jr. | Chattanooga |
| Thomas Brown | DB | R-Jr. | Furman |
| T. DeGrange | DB | FR | Samford |
| Tony Mitchell | DB | Fr. | ETSU |
| Tony Welch | DB | RSo. | ETSU |
| T. Winton | DB | RSo. | ETSU |
| Tra Hardy | DB | JR | WCU |
| Trevor Wright | DB | Jr. | Chattanooga |
| Trey Gowan | DB | Fr. | ETSU |
| Trey Morgan | DB | SR | WCU |
| Trey Robinson | DB | Jr. | Furman |
| Tyler Jackson | DB | R-Fr. | The Citadel |
| Tyriuq Trotman | DB | So. | VMI |
| Tyus Carter | DB | Jr. | The Citadel |
| Ulysses Strawter | DB | Fr. | Wofford |
| Uzoma Kpaduwa | DB | RFr. | VMI |
| Zach Jackson | DB | JR | Mercer |
Filed under: Football | Tagged: Chattanooga, East Tennessee State, Furman, Mercer, Samford, SoCon, The Citadel, TSA Watch List, VMI, Western Carolina, Wofford |
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