JACKSON, Miss. -- Senior wide receiver Sylvester Morris of JacksonState University and senior linebacker Channing Warner of Southern Universityare the leaders on the 1999 preseason All- Southwestern Athletic Conferencefootball team that was released here during the third leg of the league'sannual Football Press Tour.
Morris, a 6-2, 203-pound senior from New Orleans, La., is consideredthe SWAC's leading NFL prospect for next year. In 1998, he ranked third inthe conference in receiving with 62 catches for 1,258 yards and 17touchdowns. He earned first team All-SWAC honors in the process.
"I think Morris is very deserving of this honor because of the statshe compiled last year," said JSU interim head coach Robert Hughes. "He brokesome records that we thought would never be broken.
"With two returning quarterbacks returning this season, there's notelling what he'll do," added Hughes. "I expect Morris to be a top choicefor the 2000 draft. He's a hard-working athlete and he never stops training.'
Warner, a 6-2, 240-pound senior from Marrero, La., ranked fourth inthe conference in tackles a year ago with 85 stops, including 35 solo tacklesand 50 assists. He also had four sacks and, like Morris, reaped first teamall-conference honors.
"I'm honored to have been chosen for such a prestigious season,"stated Warner. "I've been working all summer long and I'll do my best tolive up to such lofty standards. It feels good to be thought of as one ofthe better athletes in the SWAC."
Besides Morris, the remainder of the preseason All-SWAC offensiveunit consists of Arkansas-Pine Bluff's Corey Wynn (6-3, 267, Sr.) at tightend, Terrance Beadles (6-4, 291, Sr.) on the line and Richard Pena (5-9, 180,Sr.) at placekicker; Jackson State's Jeramogi Todd (6-1, 280, Jr.) on theline, Mark Washington (6-4, 208, Sr.) who tied at quarterback and DestryWright (5-10, 204, Sr.) at running back; Alabama State's Darnell Kennedy(6-1, 165, Jr.) who tied at quarterback along with Damon Hodge (6-2, 194,Sr.) at wide receiver; Alcorn State's Chad Slaughter (6-7, 303, Sr.) on theline and Rodney Thomas (5-10, 225, Sr.) at running back); Alabama A&M'sKendrick Rogers (6-6, 280, Jr.) on the line and Southern's Damon Nivens (6-6,314, Sr.) on the line.
Joining SU's Warner on the defensive unit are UAPB's Charlie Edwards(6-4, 236, Sr.) and Earnest Grant (6-7, 297, Sr.) on the line in addition toGreg Wesley (6-3, 204, Jr.) at defensive back; Texas Southern's Carl Davis(6-3, 265, Sr.) on the line, Dwan Epps (6-3, 245, Sr.) at linebacker andScott Harrell (6-1, 200, Jr.) at defensive back; Alabama A&M's MichaelPinckney (6-2, 225, Sr.) at linebacker and Brian Johnson (6-0, 175, So.) atdefensive back; Jackson State's Harold Wooten (6-1, 209, Sr.) at defensiveback; and Southern's Matt Bushart (6-4, 240, Sr.) in the punter's slot.
The preseason kick return specialist is Texas Southern's JoeyJamison, a 5-9, 175-pound senior.
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
