Greenville, S.C. The Citadel football is ranked seventh in both the media and coaches preseason polls, while three Bulldogs were selected to preseason All-Conference teams, released Tuesday by the Southern Conference at the 2006 Football Rouser held in Greenville, S.C.
The Bulldogs, who finished tied for fifth in the Southern Conference last season, is expected to finish the 2006 season only ahead of Elon, earning 54 points in the media poll and 19 in the coaches'.
“It is no surprise that we were ranked seventh in the league standings,” said The Citadel head coach Kevin Higgins. “It is a very competitive league and we are still in the process of building a program.”
Topping the polls is defending national champions Appalachian State with 189 in the media poll and tying Furman in the coaches' poll with 46, each earning four first place votes. The Paladins hold the No. 2 spot in the media poll, while Georgia Southern ranks third in both polls.
The media picked Western Carolina to finish fourth, while Chattanooga was the coaches' fourth place choice. The Mocs were picked to finish fifth in the media poll, while Wofford held the No. 6 spot. The coaches selected the Terriers at No. 5 with the Catamounts at sixth. Both polls selected Elon to finish last in the conference at No. 8.
Despite the rankings, three Bulldogs earned spots on the preseason all-conference team. Junior wide receiver Ta'Mar Jernigan, junior linebacker Andrew Rowell and fifth-year senior defensive lineman James Wilson were all named to the 2006 preseason second team.
“I'm excited for Ta'Mar, Andrew and James for being selected to the second team,” said Higgins. “I have high expectations for them this season. All three are outstanding players and are critical to our success this year.”
Jernigan, who started nine of 11 games for the Bulldogs last season, caught 40 passes for 359 yards, averaging nine yards a reception and totaling five touchdowns for the season. Jernigan, last year's leading receiver, holds the starting position and will combine efforts this season with Gary Domanski and Rontreal Tyler to replace Kinta Palmer and Mark Wigal on the perimeter.
Rowell started all 11 games for The Citadel, finishing the season second on the team defensively with 67.5 total tackles (51 solo, 33 assisted). New opportunity will emerge for Rowell this season after losing all-conference performers Shawn Grant and Porter Johsnon.
Wilson, who also started all 11 games, recorded 25 solo tackles and assisted on 18 stops. He totaled nine tackles for a loss of 54 yards, recovered two fumbles and recorded four solo sacks on the year, giving opponents a loss of 41 yards. Three of Wilson's tackles came against Florida State, including one that gave the Seminoles a loss of one yard. The 2005 All-SoCon is expected to create problems for opponent offenses this season with his speed and experience on the field.
“I'm just pleased that others have recognized me as a talented athlete,” said Wilson. “I'm excited about the season and I look forward to playing my last year with all my heart and to the fullest.”
The Bulldogs kick off the 2006 slate in College Station, Texas as The Citadel takes on Texas A&M at 7 p.m. ET.
