Norfolk, Va. (July 31, 2016) --- The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference has released its preseason player honors for the 2016 football campaign. Five Delaware State players made the list, two second team selections and three third team mentions.
Linebacker Malik Harris (jr.) and cornerback William Burton earned All-MEAC Preseason Second Team recognition.
Harris, a 2015 postseason third team pick, was tops on the Hornets and second among all MEAC players in tackles-per-game (9.5) and total tackles (104) last season. He was also second on the team and sixth in the league with 14.5 tackles-for-loss (-50 yards) in 2015.
Burton started all 11 games for the Hornets in 2015. He was sixth on the team with 51 total tackles and 30 solo stops, and also returned a fumble recovery 35 yards for a touchdown against Kent State last season.
Wide receiver Aris Scott (sr.), linebacker Rashawn Barrett and offensive lineman Chuka Ezeuzoh (so.) were named to the 2016 All-MEAC Preseason Third Team.
Scott was tops on the Hornets with 46 receptions for 683 yards in 2015. He ranked fourth in the MEAC in receiving yards per game (62.1) and fifth in the league in receptions (4.2 pg) last season.
Barrett was second on the Hornets and sixth among all MEAC players in tackles at 7.6 per game (84 total tackles) during the 2015 campaign. He ranked third on the team and 14th in the league with four sacks, and was tied for second on the Hornets with 8.5 tackles-for-loss a year ago.
Ezeuzoh emerged as a starter and key contributor on the DSU offensive line as a true freshman in 2015.
North Carolina A&T running back Tarik Cohen (sr.) was selected as the 2016 MEAC Preseason Offensive Player-of-the-Year. A two-time MEAC Postseason Player-of-the-Year, Cohen rushed for a league-high 1543 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior last year. He also ran for 295 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Aggies to victory over Alcorn State in the inaugural Celebration Bowl last December.
South Carolina State linebacker Darius Leonard earned 2016 MEAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year honors.
DSU opens the 2016 season at the University of Delaware in the renewal of the Route 1 Rivalry on Thur. Sep. 1 at UD's Tubby Raymond Field. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m.
The Hornets will play their home opener on Sep. 10 against Monmouth. The Hall-of-Fame contest begins at 5 p.m. at Alumni Stadium.
