A-State has 16 players on Athlon Preseason All-Sun Belt Team

More Red Wolves earn recogntion than any other team in conference

From Arkansas State University

arkansasrazorbacks.com

JONESBORO – Athlon Sports has released its 2024 Preseason All-Sun Belt Team with 14 different Arkansas State football players totaling 16 selections to the squad.

Four Red Wolves were named to the first team, including Ja'Quez Cross (KR), Jacob Bayer (C), Courtney Jackson (WR) and Makilan Thomas (OL). The second team featured Ja'Quez Cross (RB), Courtney Jackson (PR), Corey Rucker (WR) and Charles Willekes (LB). Appearing on the third team were Mehki Butler (OL), Nate Martey (DL), Jaylen Raynor (QB) and Trevian Thomas (S). Additionally, four players were on the fourth team including Jordan Mahoney (CB), Tim Hardiman (DL), Justin Parks (S) and Zak Wallace (RB). A-State and Texas State led the Athlon Preseason All-Sun Belt Teams with 16 selections while Louisiana (15) and Appalachian State (14) with the second and third-most picks.

The Red Wolves are coming off a bowl-game appearance for the first time since 2019 and announced 36 players as part of its 2024 recruiting class that ranked first in the Sun Belt Conference. A-State returns 15 starters, 10 on offense and five on defense, and a total of 55 letterwinners.

A-State will appear at Sun Belt Conference Media Days on Wednesday, July 24 in New Orleans. Season tickets may be purchased by calling the Red Wolves Foundation at 870-972-2401 or online by visiting the Red Wolves at astateredwolves.com/tickets.

Athlon Preseason All-Sun Belt Team

WR Courtney Jackson C Jacob Bayer OL Makilan Thomas

First-Team Specialists

KR Ja'Quez Cross

Second-Team Offense

RB Ja'Quez Cross WR Corey Rucker

Second-Team Defense

LB Charles Willekes

Second-Team Specialists

PR Courtney Jackson Third-Team Offense QB Jaylen Raynor OL Mehki Butler

See A-STATE, page A9 A-STATE

From page A7

DL Nate Martey S Trevian Thomas

Fourth-Team Offense

RB Zak Wallace

Fourth-Team Defense DL Tim Hardiman CB Jordan Mahoney S Justin Parks For more on the Athlon Sports' 2024 Sun Belt All-Conference Team, visit https://athlonsports.com/college- football/sun-belt-football-2024-all-conference-team.