Soccer
5/25/2023 12:30:00 PM

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HARRISONBURG, Va. – Athlon Sports activities acknowledged 11 James Madison student-athletes with 12 preseason honors, because the group rolled out its preseason All-Solar Belt Convention Group for the 2023 season this week.
 
Headlining the listing for JMU had been a quartet of First Group All-Solar Belt honorees in defensive lineman James Carpenter, offensive lineman Nick Kidwell, punter Ryan Hanson and linebacker Taurus Jones.
 
Making the Second Group had been receiver Reggie Brown, offensive lineman Tyler Stephens and linebacker Jailin Walker. Third Group accolades went to operating again Kaelon Black as an all-purpose participant, tight finish Zach Horton and offensive lineman Tanner Morris, whereas Josh Sarratt earned Fourth Group distinction each at security and as a punt returner.
 
Carpenter began all 11 video games at nostril guard final season, incomes Second Group All-Solar Belt and VaSID First Group All-State honors. He tallied 52 tackles with 11.5 for loss and 5.5 sacks.
 
Stephens and Morris began all 11 video games on the road, whereas Kidwell made 9 begins at proper deal with. Kidwell was a Second Group All-Solar Belt honoree and took dwelling First Group All-State laurels. The group aided JMU in rating thirteenth nationally and first within the Solar Belt in scoring, at 37.0 factors per recreation. The Dukes ranked twenty ninth within the FBS and third within the SBC in whole offense (452.5). JMU additionally led the convention and ranked seventh nationally in yards per completion (14.52), whereas its passing common (265.7) was third within the Solar Belt and its dashing common (186.7) was fourth.
 
Hanson joined this system within the spring after spending the earlier three at SBC foe Arkansas State. Beforehand a Third Group All-Solar Belt punter in 2021, Hanson performed in 35 profession video games, averaging 43.1 yards per punt. Final season, he had 48 punts with a median of 43.7 per try.
 
Jones was a Third-Group All-Solar Belt linebacker in his first season as a starter in 2022. Additionally named Second Group All-State, he led the Dukes with 82 tackles with 10.5 for a loss, one sack, and a pair of compelled fumbles and recoveries. Jones additionally had 5 passes defended, which included his first profession interception.
 
Brown is JMU’s main returner within the extensive receiver room and is coming off his first season as a major starter. In eight video games with 5 begins final fall, Brown made 24 receptions for 401 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns. That included a career-high 136 yards at Georgia Southern.
 
Walker, an Honorable Point out All-Solar Belt decide in 2022, had a strong yr in yr one beginning on the linebacker place. He produced 63 tackles with three for a loss and a sack. He additionally led the crew with three interceptions and two pick-sixes whereas additionally including 5 move breakups. Walker was additionally a Professional Soccer Community Honorable Point out Midseason All-American.
 
Black returned from a season-ending harm final yr, showing in 9 video games with a begin at operating again. Voted the VaSID College Division Offensive Rookie of the Yr, Black had 69 carries for 333 dashing yards and three touchdowns, averaging 4.8 per rush. He additionally added 17 catches and 177 receiving yards with a pair of scores. His season was highlighted by a season-high 108 all-purpose yards at App State, the place he rushed for 85 yards and a landing and caught a 23-yard landing move.
 
Horton is JMU’s high tight finish returner in 2023 after showing in all 11 video games with 5 begins a season in the past. In JMU’s first FBS marketing campaign, he had 13 receptions for 159 yards and two touchdowns.
 
Sarratt performed in all 11 video games with 10 begins at security whereas serving as JMU’s major punt returner in 2022. He made 40 tackles with 4.5 for a loss and a sack. On the return aspect, Sarratt averaged 5.9 per return on 19 makes an attempt, with 4 of 10 yards or longer.
 
The official preseason all-conference crew from the league can be unveiled main into Solar Belt Convention Media Days, which takes place July 25-26 in New Orleans.