BIRMINGHAM, Ala. | Alabama State had four players named to the preseason Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) teams announced at the league's annual football media days on Tuesday. 
 
The SWAC Preseason Coaches' Poll had Alabama State (80 points) picked to finish third in the East Division. The Hornets garnered two first-place votes, and were picked to finish behind Florida A&M (116) and Jackson State (94) on a vote from the head coaches and sports information professionals. Alabama A&M (73) was picked fourth followed by Mississippi Valley State (35) and Bethune-Cookman (34). 
 
Southern University (122 points) is the top pick in the West Division, followed by Alcorn State (94), Texas Southern (73), Grambling State (69, Prairie View A&M (68), and UAPB (33).
 
Linebacker Colton Adams was selected to the Preseason All-SWAC First- Team, while offensive lineman Robert Alston IV, defensive back Adrian Maddox, and Cail Jackson Jr. were named to the second team. 
 
Adams was named a BOXTOROW First-Team All-American, All-SWAC, and Hero Sports Sophomore All-American in 2022. He led the SWAC, and FCS, with 11.6 tackles per game while starting in all 11 games at middle linebacker. The Wetumpka (Ala.)-native registered a SWAC-best 128 tackles and ranked second with 52 solo tackles. He ranked seventh in the SWAC with 1.2 tackles for loss per game, 2.0 sacks, three pass breakups, and forced a fumble.
 
Alston was a 2021 Second-Team All-SWAC selection and a 2022 Preseason First-Team selection. The Lindon (Ala.) product played nine games with seven starts, and was instrumental in helping Alabama State to six wins. He anchored an offensive line that helped the Hornets average nearly 19 points per game, and averaged 111.8 yards per game rushing and 1,762 total yards. They also averaged 195 yards passing and put up 3,377 yards of total offense.
 
Maddox was recently named to HBCU Sports preseason All-Defense for 2023 after being named a 2022 Jerry Rice Award Finalist. The Conyers (Ga.)-native recorded eight tackles and an interception in his collegiate debut against Howard in the MEAC-SWAC challenge. He became the youngest to intercept a pass in a collegiate game against Howard. Maddox posted 49 tackles, six tackles for a loss, two sacks, and two interceptions in 2022. He had a season-high nine tackles against Alabama A&M and his second career interception came at UCLA.  
 
Jackson played in 11 games in 2022, registering 26 total tackles including 12 solo stops with one tackle for loss and one forced fumble. He finished with three interceptions including a season-high two against Florida A&M. Jackson recorded three or more tackles six times on the season including four each against Florida A&M and UAPB.
 
2023 SWAC Football Preseason Team
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Jeremy Moussa, Florida A&M
 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
 Sundiata Anderson, Grambling State
 
 All-SWAC First-Team Offense
 Quarterback: Jeremy Moussa, Florida A&M
 Running Back: Jarveon Howard, Alcorn State 
 Running Back: Donovan Eaglin, Alabama A&M
 Offensive Lineman: Jalen Goss, Florida A&M
 Offensive Lineman: Jonathan Williams, Alabama A&M
 Offensive Lineman: Will Ready, Alcorn State
 Offensive Lineman: Cameron Covin, Florida A&M
 Offensive Lineman: T.J. Yarbrough, Alcorn State
 Wide Receiver: Jah'Marae Sheread, Florida A&M
 Wide Receiver: Derek Morton, Texas Southern
 Tight End: D.J. Stevens, Jackson State
  
 All-SWAC First Team Defense
 Defensive Lineman: Malachi Bailey, Alcorn State
 Defensive Lineman: Sundiata Anderson, Grambling State 
 Defensive Lineman: Tahj Brown, Southern 
 Defensive Lineman: Zareon Hayes, Alabama A&M
 Linebacker: Colton Adams, Alabama State 
 Linebacker: Lewis Matthews, Grambling State 
 Linebacker: Isaiah Major, Florida A&M
 Defensive Back: Omari Hill-Robinson, Bethune-Cookman
 Defensive Back: Javan Morgan, Florida A&M
 Defensive Back: Jordan Carter, Southern
 Defensive Back: Kendall Bohler, Florida A&M
  
 All-SWAC First Team Specialist
 Place Kicker: Joshua Griffin, Southern
 Punter: Jimmy Iles, Grambling State
 Return Specialist: Darnell Deas, Bethune-Cookman
 Long Snapper: Jason Longcor, Alcorn State
  
 All-SWAC Second Team Offense
 Quarterback: Andrew Body, Texas Southern
 Running Back: Jacorey Howard, Texas Southern
 Running Back: Ahmad Antoine, Prairie View A&M
 Offensive Lineman: Eli Fields, Southern
 Offensive Lineman: Arrington Taylor, Prairie View A&M
 Offensive Lineman: Ryan Atkins-Frazier, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
 Offensive Lineman: Robert Alston, Alabama State
 Offensive Lineman: Mehdi Torrence, Texas Southern
 Wide Receiver: Lyndon Rash, Grambling State
 Wide Receiver: Marcus Riley, Florida A&M
 Tight End: Kamari Young, Florida A&M
 
 All-SWAC Second Team Defense
 Defensive Lineman: Ckelby Givens, Southern
 Defensive Lineman: Michael Akins, Texas Southern
 Defensive Lineman: Kendarius Clark, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
 Defensive Lineman: Gentle Hunt, Florida A&M
 Linebacker: Jalan Campbell, Southern
 Linebacker: Rico Dozier, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
 Linebacker: Terreance Ellis, Alcorn State
 Defensive Back: Adrian Maddox, Alabama State
 Defensive Back: Cail Jackson, Alabama State
 Defensive Back: Kevin Thomas, Grambling State
 Defensive Back: Kriston Davis, Southern
  
 All-SWAC Second Team Specialist
 Place Kicker: Anthony Turnage, Mississippi Valley State
 Punter: Robens Beauplan, Southern
 Return Specialist: Chaunzavia Lewis, Texas Southern
 Long Snapper: Braxston Blackwell, Southern
 
SWAC East
1. Florida A&M- 116 points (16)
2. Jackson State- 94 points (2) 
3. Alabama State- 80 points (2) 
4. Alabama A&M- 73 points (2) 
5. Mississippi Valley State- 35 points (2)
6. Bethune-Cookman- 34 points

 SWAC West 
1. Southern- 122 points (13) 
2. Alcorn State- 94 points (6) 
3. Texas Southern- 73 points (1)
4. Grambling State- 69 points (2)
5. Prairie View A&M- 68 points (2) 
6. Arkansas-Pine Bluff- 33 points
 *First-place votes listed in parenthesis ( )