SIAC MEDIA DAY: Albany State picked to win SIAC East Division again

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Though it’s just on paper, the Albany State Rams head into the 2015 football season on top. Monday afternoon, the Rams were tabbed as the team to beat at the 2015 SIAC Media Day at the Holiday Inn hotel.

It was there the Rams were named the favorite to finish atop the East Division. Reigning SIAC champion Tuskegee was picked to finish first in the West this season as well. The two teams met in the SIAC Championship Game last year with Tuskegee pulling out a last-minute victory and earning a berth into the NCAA Division II playoffs.

While first-year head coach Dan Land was honored that the coaches picked his squad to finish first, he said it ultimately means nothing if they can’t put in the work on the field this season.

“I’m old school, seeing stuff on paper doesn’t mean a whole lot to me,” he said. “Once we get out there and prove stuff on the field, then we will worry about the rankings. I appreciate the coaches voting us first place, but we want to prove it on the field.”

Preseason All-Conference teams were also named and the Rams had a total of nine players named to either the first or second team for offense, defense and special teams. They also have the preseason offensive and defensive players of the year in running back Jarvis Small and linebacker Tavarius Washington.

In 10 games last season, Small finished with 1,169 yards on 222 carries and scored 13 touchdowns. Washington finished the season with 70 solo tackles and 22 assisted tackles. Land feels they are more than deserving of the award.

“I don’t know two other guys who deserve something like that other than those two,” he said. “Just great players. Two leaders on the field, offensive and defensive, they’re out there on the field doing what they need to do, also off the field doing what they need to do. I’m excited about that. It was shocking, but at the same time, those guys deserved 100 percent of what they get with that.”

Small was named to the first team offense along with offensive lineman Javoris Wilburn. Tight end Leonard Walker and offensive lineman Kenneth Averhart were named to the second team.

On defense, lineman Jack Ndem, Washington, and defensive back Nick Scott all earned first team honors, while lineman Grover Stewart earned a second team nod.

Kicker Zachery Gayden-Holley was the lone special team representative and earned a place on the second team.

The Rams continue gearing up for their upcoming season in hopes of building upon last year’s 7-3 record and Land said there are no major injuries to report. They start the season on Sept. 5 at the Albany State Coliseum against perennial Division II power Valdosta State at 7 p.m.