MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State University football added to is preseason accolades on Wednesday with the selection of five Hornets to the HBCU Preseason All-American team with one Honorable Mention addtion on Wednesday.

The Alabama State Hornets led the way with five selections, including linebacker Rico Dozier, a transfer from Arkansas-Pine Bluff who was also a member of the 2023 HBCU All-America team. Dozier adds his presence to a good Hornets defense, bringing with him a SWAC-leading 128 tackles (63 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks. He recorded double digit tackles in nine games last season. 

Rico Dozier (LB), Treqwan Thomas (DE), James Burgess (CB), Robert McMinn (WR/RS),and  Arelious Dunn (OL) were selected the announced on Wednesday. All were previously named Preseason All-SWAC released on July 16 by the league office. Additionally, DeMarkus Cunningham received Honorable Mention All-American laurels on the list.
 
Dozier is a transfer from the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff and hails from Abbeville, Ala. Dozier earned All-SWAC and Phil Steele All-SWAC honors while playing for the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff in 2023. The Abbeville, Ala., native led the SWAC with 125 tackles and added 2.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss.
 
Thomas moved to the first team after earning All-SWAC Second-Team honors in 2023. He led the Hornets and tied for third in the SWAC with 7.5 sacks and tied for sixth with 12.5 tackles for loss. He also totaled 35 tackles and a fumble recovery. Thomas ranked seventh in the SWAC in sacks per game (0.5) and eighth in tackles for loss (1.0).
 
Burgess tied for third in the SWAC with two interceptions, both pick sixes, while his 11 passes defended (9 PBU/2 INT) tied for third in the SWAC and 30th in FCS. His 1.0 passes defended per game ranked 4th in the conference.
 
McMinn topped the SWAC with 579 combined kick return yards (14th FCS). He returned one punt and kickoff a touchdown, ranking first in the SWAC and fourth in the FCS. McMinn's 13.9 yards per return ranked third in the SWAC and seventh in the FCS.
 
Dunn was an All-SWAC Second-Team honoree in 2023 after starting 11 games on the offensive line for the Hornets.
 
Alabama State reports for fall camp on Thursday, August 1 and will open the 2024 season against North Carolina Central in the Orange Blossom Classic on Sunday, Sept. 1 at 2 p.m. in Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.

The 2024 HBCU college football Preseason All-America team

OFFENSE
QB: Myles Crawley, Grambling, r-Sr. Lithonia, Ga.
RB: Jada Byers, Virginia Union, Sr., Hammonton, N.J. #
RB: Donovan Eaglin, Alabama A&M, r-Soph., Houston, Texas
OL: Ashton Grable, Florida A&M, r-Jr., Gordon, Ga.
OL: Trevon Humphrey, North Carolina Central, r-Soph., Greensboro, N.C.
OL: Evan Henry, Jackson State, Gr., Dallas, Texas
OL: Arelious Dunn, Alabama State, Sr., Atlanta, Ga.*
OL: Tahj Martin, Grambling, Jr., Lewisville, Texas*
OL: Nick Taiste, South Carolina State, Sr., West Columbia, S.C.*
TE: Tavarious Griffin, Alcorn State, Sr., Tallassee, Ala.#
WR: Malachi Langley, Lincoln (Pa.), Soph., Chester, Pa.#
WR: Fabian McCray, Jackson State, Gr., Chicago, Ill.

DEFENSE
DL: Ckelby Givens, Southern, Soph., Shreveport, La.#
DL: Malachi Bailey, Alcorn State, Sr., Atlanta, Ga.
DL: Aaron Miller, Benedict, r-Sr., Decatur, Ga.
DL: Treqwan Thomas, Alabama State, r-Jr., Orlando, Fla.*
DL: Elijah Williams, Morgan State, Sr., Jersey City, N.J.*
LB: Rico Dozier, Alabama State, Sr., Abbeville, La.#
LB: Asmar Hasan, Lane, Sr., Atlanta, Ga.
LB: Erick Hunter, Morgan State, Sr., Capitol Heights, Md.*
LB: Jacob Williams, Texas Southern, Sr., Fresno, Texas*
DB: Kendall Bohler, Florida A&M, r-Jr., Orlando, Fla.#
DB: Kenny Gallop, Howard, Sr., Portsmouth, Va.#
DB: James Burgess, Alabama State, Sr., Center Point, Ala.
DB: Karon Prunty, North Carolina A&T, Jr., Portsmouth, Va.*
DB: Deco Wilson, Florida A&M, Gr., Talladega, Ala.*

SPECIALISTS
P:  Matt Noll, Jackson State, Gr., Robesonia, Pa.
PK: Cameron Gillis, Florida A&M, Gr., Budapest, Hungary
PR: Robert McMinn, Alabama State, Jr., Hollywood, Fla.
KR: Keith Jenkins, Morgan State, Jr., Gainesville, Va.

Honorable Mention
QB: Isaiah Freeman, Lincoln (Pa.)
RB: Elijah Burris, Hampton; Jarett Hunter, Howard
OL: Treyvon Branch, Morgan State; Darius Fox, Howard
WR: Johnny Jones, Edward Waters
LB: Demarkus Cunningham, Alabama State; Malik Moore, Tuskegee
DB: Mikael King, Tuskegee
PK: James Lowery, Tennessee State
KR: DeJuan Bell, Fort Valley State