MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State had four players, in five different positions, selected Preseason All-Conference led by a pair of first team selections announced during SWAC Virtual Media Days Wednesday morning.

The Hornets had a pair of defensive players named first-team all-conference including senior defensive tackle Christian Clark. The senior led an Alabama State defense that finished fourth in the conference in scoring defense, finishing the season fifth on the team in tackles from his guard position. He finished with 50 tackles, including 26 solo stops on the season; while also recording 3.5 tackles for loss and one sack. He also recovered a fumble.

He was joined on the first team defense by junior Naytron Culpepper who returns after a season in which he helped lead a pass defense that was in the nation in passing yards allowed per game. He finished fourth in the conference in passes defended with 13 and was third in the conference in pass breakups with ten. He also intercepted three passes which tied him for fourth among the other defensive backs in the SWAC. Culpepper finished the year with 35 tackles, including 28 solo stops, while recording 4.5 tackles for loss and one sack.

The Hornets had a pair of players named to the second team on the offensive side of the ball including redshirt senior Ezra Gray picking up a pair of honors. The senior was named second team running back, and second team kick returner, after returning 14 kicks for 338 yards. He averaged 24.14 yards per return, with a long of 50. Gray led the conference in returns with the fewest number among the top seven. On offense, the running back carried the ball 157 times for 706 yards with a pair of touchdowns, while also catching 10 passes for 104 yards. Gray was a finalist for the coveted William V. Campbell Trophy, which is considering the Academic Heisman, just the second finalist in school history.

He was joined on the second team offense by junior receiver Michael Jefferson who finished with a career year during his second season. He finished the year with 49 receptions for 767 yards and 12 touchdowns. The junior recorded a pair of games with three touchdown receptions in each. He also averaged 15.65 yards per reception with a long of 82 yards. Jefferson ended the season averaging 69.73 yards per game receiving for the Hornets.

Alabama State opens the 2021 spring season against Southern at ASU Stadium on February 26. Season tickets are available by calling the Alabama State ticket office at (334) 229-4551.

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