The McNeese Cowboys placed five players on the 2023 Preseason All-Southland Conference football teams, and just one selection on the first team.
McNeese freshman All-American kicker Garrison Smith was the lone Cowboy to receive first-team honors while sophomore offensive linemen Cole Leclair and junior offensive lineman Dylan Dauzart were selected to the All-SLC second team.
On the defensive side, McNeese sophomore lineman Welland Williams and sophomore defensive back Javon Davis were picked for the All-SLC second team.
Southeastern Louisiana led the way with 17 total selections, including at quarterback where it landed both the first and second team spots. Nicholls was second with 11 selections. UIW added eight selections followed by McNeese and HCU with five while Lamar and Texas A&M-Commerce each penned four.
Smith connected on 10 of his 11 field goal attempts and was perfect on extra points, hitting all 25. His longest of 47 yards came against UIW and was the eighth-longest in school history.
After transferring from Valdosta State, Leclair is ranked as one of the top returning offensive linemen in the FCS in several publications. Dauzart is another returning starter for an offensive line that added incredible size during the offseason.
Williams recorded 17 tackles, two tackles for a loss and a sack in his redshirt freshman year last season, while Davis collected 27 tackles on the year with 1.5 sacks and six tackles for a loss.
The SLC poll will be revealed on Monday to kick off the 2023 Southland Conference Football Media Day on ESPN+.
McNeese will report to fall camp on Sunday, July 30, and will hold their first practice on Wednesday, August 2.