12 Dukes Earn Phil Steele Preseason All-Sun Belt Accolades

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Phil Steele named 12 James Madison football student-athletes to his 2023 Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Team, including three earning First Team honors.

Leading the way for JMU on the preseason all-conference squad were defensive lineman James Carpenter, offensive lineman Nick Kidwell and linebacker Taurus Jones, who each took First Team All-Sun Belt preseason laurels.

This is the second preseason team to name these three to the First Team, joining Athlon Sports.

Making the Second Team ahead of the 2023 season were punter Ryan Hanson, offensive lineman Tanner Morris, safety/punt returner Josh Sarratt and linebacker Jailin Walker.

Third Team members included tight end Zach Horton and cornerback Chauncey Logan, while three players claimed Fourth Team honors in running back Kaelon Black, wide receiver Reggie Brown and offensive lineman Cole Potts.

Of the 12 honorees, four were voted to the 2022 All-Sun Belt Team following JMU's inaugural year in the league. Carpenter and Kidwell were both Second Team All-Sun Belt selections, Jones was named to the Third Team and Walker was an honorable mention pick. Additionally, Hanson was named Third Team All-Sun Belt in 2021 while at Arkansas State.

The official Sun Belt preseason all-conference team will be unveiled later in July leading into Sun Belt Conference Media Days, which is set for July 25-26 at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel.

Calendar