MERCER, Ga. — The Atlantic Sun Conference presents their pre-season All-Conference team roster courtesy of the stellar reporting of a Mr. Sam Ford. You can follow him on twitter @SamFSPN for your daily dose of smamy.

We will start with the players to watch for this season and the full roster will be at the end of the article.

ASUN Player of the Year Watchlist

Andrew Van Buren, QB, Senior, Kennesaw State

Van Buren is poised for a tremendous Senior campaign following Kennesaw State’s first ever ASUN Championship crown. He returns to an offense that finished second in passing last season with an entire arsenal of weapons at his disposal, expect Van Buren to put up some NCAA 14-esque numbers this season as he plays opposing defenses on every possession.

Ty Smoke, WR, Sophomore, Samford

Ty. Smoke. The very definition of a speed receiver. It’s rumored that he ran a 4.31 40 this spring in Homewood. Last season, Smoke found himself as one of the favorite targets in the loaded Samford core of receivers. With Sophomore QB, and Smoke’s roommate, Nick Nix firmly in place as Samford’s starter, Smoke looks poised to burn opposing defenses this season in a staunch Samford passing attack. Don’t be surprised if Smoke also eclipses 1,000 yards rushing with his speed, and Samford’s love of the WR Sweep as well.

Lil’ty Groin, CB, Senior (Redshirt), Alabama A&M

Lil’ty No Fly. At least that’s his twitter handle. Last season, Groin proved himself to be one of the most formidable DB’s in the FCS. Currently projected to be a mid 4th round draft pick, Lil’ty has stated multiple times that he’s looking to prove that he can go round 1. Groin is capable if he continues to find the success of last season when he led Alabama A&M to the third best passing defense in the ASUN and a playoff berth after falling to Kennesaw State in the ASUN title game. This fifth year senior is hungry, and opposing WRs and QBs look like lunch to him.

Kenny Klay, LB, Sophomore, Jacksonville State

His name is Klay, but he hits like stone. The Gamecock’s Sophomore linebacker, Kenny Klay, quickly asserted himself as one of the hardest hitters in the FCS last season as he helped lead Jacksonville State to the second round of the playoffs. Klay was already massive, but he has bulked up from 220 to 235 this off-season, and he even shaved down his 40 time from 4.65 to a 4.58 this off-season. Klay is bigger, faster, stronger as he looks to lead a tenacious Jacksonville State defense to the promised land in the ASUN.

Marcos Paul, QB, Junior, Bethune-Cookman

Marcos Paul had the Wildcats 8-0 and was absolutely unstoppable last season before he was injured week 9. Paul has assured everyone that he’s now back and better than ever. If that’s true, then expect Paul to put up numbers bigger than the Mega Millions on a team the media picked to win the ASUN preseason. Head Coach of the Wildcats, Pelo like yellow, was quoted as saying, “Paul is the best QB I’ve seen since Shane Falco.” When he asked why he compared Paul to a fictional QB, Pelo stated, “What do you mean? How do you know any of this is real? You, me, or Marcos Paul!? Huh!?” And to be honest, we’re not quite sure Paul is real with his athletic abilities.

Ethan Bennet, LB, Junior, Jacksonville

Ethan “Birdseye” Bennet was quoted at the end of last season following a disappointing season stating, “Junior year, heads. WILL. roll.” And who are we to doubt him? This young man was a major bright spot for the Dolphins last season as he recorded 169 tackles in a standout Sophomore campaign. Bennett is looking to improve on those arcade-like numbers this season. Known for his hawk-like downfield vision, this play-maker has quickly become the vocal leader in the Jacksonville locker room, and under the direction of new head coach and defensive mastermind, Purple, Bennet promises to shock the world this season.

Complete Roster

Offense

QB – Andrew Van Buren – Jr. – Kennesaw State

HB – Earl Campbell – Fr. – Campbell

FB – Kyle Boyd – Sr. – North Alabama

WR – Ty Smoke – So. – Samford

WR – Dominic Gas – Jr. – East Tennessee State

TE – Spencer Coy – Sr. – Mercer

T – Alexandru Buchannan – Jr. – Bethune-Cookman

G – Brock Brockton IV – Sr. – Samford

C – Marvin Santa-Clause – So. – Alabama A&M

G – Trent Howard – Sr. – Jacksonville State

T – Kendrick Payne – Sr. – Florida A&M

Defense

S – Rafael Conner – Jr. – Bethune-Cookman

S – Theodore “Teddy” Grant – Sr. – Kennesaw State

CB – Lamar Campbell – Fr. – Campbell

CB – Lil’ty Groin – Sr. (RS) – Alabama A&M

LB – Yousef Wall – Jr. (RS) – Alabama State

LB – Kenny Klay – So. – Jacksonville State

LB – Ethan Bennet – Jr. – Jacksonville

DE – Jordan McDaniels – Sr. – Chattanooga

DT – Jace Weber – Sr. – Mercer

DT – Blade Bolton – Jr. – Stetson

DE – Cade Carter – Sr. – Jacksonville

Special Teams

K – Davey Brooks – So. – Bethune-Cookman

P – Kareem Winter – Sr. – Alabama State

KR – Travis Watershed – So. (RS) – Alabama A&M