ORANGEBURG, SC – South Carolina State running back Will Ford, who rushed for almost 1,500 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior last season, has been named to the Consensus Draft Services (CDS) 2009 Preseason FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) All-America first team, while teammate Phillip Adams, a defensive back, received honorable mention.

Ford, a Travelers Rest native, received numerous honors as a junior, including MEAC Offensive Player of the Year, Palmetto State Player of the Year as selected by The State and The Greenville News newspapers, All-State recognition by The State and the Orangeburg Touchdown Club, and was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, presented annually to the top offensive player in the FCS.

Ford needs just over 1,000 yards to become the MEAC’s all-time rushing leader.

Adams, a senior of Rock Hill, was sixth in tackles for the Bulldogs with 48 total, including 33 unassisted. He led the team in interceptions with five and pass breakups with nine, and was named the team’s top cornerback.

CDS 2009 Preseason FCS All-America Team

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

 QB Armanti Edwards, Appalachian State, 6-0, 181

 WR Andre Roberts, The Citadel, 5'11", 185

WR Terrell Hudgins, Elon, 6'3", 237

TE Scott Sicko, New Hampshire, 6'4", 236

RB Toddrick Pendland, McNeese, 5'9", 172

RB William Ford, South Carolina St., 5'11", 185

OT Austin Howard, Northern Iowa, 6'7", 301

OG Jeff Hansen, Montana State, 6'4", 290

C Kyle Mutcher, Weber State, 6'3", 295

OG Matthew McCracken, Richmond, 6'4", 291

OT Vladmir DuCasse, UMass, 6'5", 315

K Andrew Samson, Penn (Jr.)

KR Scotty McGee, James Madison

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

DE James Ruffin, Northern Iowa, 6'4", 267

DT Joe Goniprow, Penn, 6'1", 275

DT Justin Lawrence, Morgan State, 6'1", 280

DE Austen Lane, Murray State, 6'6", 265

OLB Jabara Williams, Stephen F. Austin, 6'3", 215 (Jr.)

ILB Alex DiMichele, Robert Morris, 6'2", 240 (Jr.)

ILB Jacque Roman, Appalachian State, 6'1", 240

OLB Adrian McLeod, Western Carolina, 6'0", 215

CB Curtis Holcomb, Florida A&M, 5'10", 170 (Jr.)

S Terrell Whitehead, Norfolk State, 6'2", 200

S Mark LeGree, Appalachian State, 6'0", 200 (Jr.)

CB Justin Rogers, Richmond, 5'10", 170 (Jr.)

?  P Doug Spada, Southeast Missouri

?  PR Andre Roberts, The Citadel

Note: All players selected are seniors unless otherwise designated

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