CHARLESTON, S.C. – Citadel football standouts Tyler Davis and Aron Spann, III have been named Preseason All-Americans by HERO Sports, it was announced Tuesday afternoon. Davis, the Bulldogs' starting center, was tabbed a second-team selection while Spann, a defensive back, was selected to the third team.

"This is a great honor for both Tyler and Aron to be named Preseason All-Americans," said head coach Brent Thompson. "It is a testament to the hard work both have put in during their first three years here and it also speaks volumes about those around them. I know they will continue to work hard as we go through summer workouts, and we are all ready for the season to start."

In his first three seasons playing for The Citadel, Davis has appeared in 33 games and has helped the Bulldogs finish in the top two for rushing in FCS in each of the last three years, including leading the nation with an average of 348.2 rushing yards per game in 2016. Last season, the Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, native was named to the FCS All-America Second Team by College Sports Madness, and was named an All-Southern Conference first-team selection by both the league's coaches and media. Davis started every game at center in 2017 and played every snap other than the final series at Presbyterian, leading an offensive line that featured three freshmen in the starting lineup and he graded out the highest among the Bulldogs' five offensive linemen. In 2017, the Bulldogs were second in the nation in rushing at 294.6 yards per game and The Citadel had three of the highest rushing totals recorded by an FCS team during the 2017 campaign.

A senior from Spartanburg, South Carolina, Spann has appeared in 36 games in three years, making 87 tackles. Following the 2017 season, he was tabbed to the All-Southern Conference First Team by the league's media and was named a second-team selection by the conference's coaches. Spann finished 2017 third on the team with 57 total tackles, including 3.0 for loss, and had three interceptions. He had a season-high eight solo tackles against Mercer, adding four tackle assists for 12 total tackles against the Bears.

Tickets for the 2018 football season are currently on sale through The Citadel Ticket Office. Fans can call the ticket office at 843-953-DOGS (3647) or visit citadelsports.com/tickets for more information. The ticket office is located in the lobby of McAlister Field House and is open from 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday during the summer.

The Bulldogs open the 2018 season at Wofford on Saturday, Sept. 1 before opening the home slate with two games at Johnson Hagood Stadium. The Citadel will welcome Chattanooga to town on Saturday, Sept. 8 with a 6 p.m. kickoff before hosting Charleston Southern on Saturday, Sept. 15 for the annual Military Appreciation and Hall of Fame game. Following two weeks on the road and a weekend off, the Bulldogs will host ETSU on Saturday, Oct. 13 for Parents' Day. The next home game will be Saturday, Oct. 27 against Furman with the home finale coming on Saturday, Nov. 10 against Samford. The game against Samford will also serve as Homecoming.

For more information on The Citadel football program, please visit CitadelSports.com or follow @CitadelFootball and @CitadelSports on Twitter.