Phil Steele Tabs 10 Trojans to All-Sun Belt Preseason Team

TROY, Ala. – College football's leading prognosticator Phil Steele released his Preseason All-Sun Belt Teams this week and among the selections were 10 Troy players, including five on the first team.

Wide receiver Kaylon Geiger, defensive tackle Will Choloh, safety Dell Pettus, linebacker Carlton Martial and kickoff returner Reggie Todd were all first team selections for the Trojans. Troy's five first team selections is tied with Louisiana for the second most in the league behind only App State's six players on the first team; the Trojans' three first team defensive picks were tied for the most.

Geiger, a rising senior, was named the Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year after he finished second in the league in receptions, yards and yards per game. His 77 receptions ranked as the third most in a season in Troy history while his 873 yards finished just shy of the top 10; he tied the school record after topping the 100-yard mark in five different games.

Martial was named the No. 35 player in all of college football last season by Pro Football Focus as he became just the 12^thplayer and first underclassman in the last 20 years at the FBS level to finish a season with at least 100 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and three interceptions. The rising junior closed the year with 126 tackles, the most by a Troy player since 2000, and 18.5 tackles for loss, the fifth most in a season in Troy history, and three picks.

Choloh ranked in the top 25 in the league last year in both sacks and tackles for loss despite playing from an inside position on the defensive line. The rising junior finished fourth on the team with 54 tackles to go along with four quarterback hurries; he added 28 pressures and 18 overall hurries, both second best on the team.

Pettus, who was a Freshman All-America selection by Pro Football Focus last season, led all freshmen in the Sun Belt Conference with 63 tackles after taking over the starting duties at free safety in the third week of the season – he averaged 5.9 tackles in his 10 starts. He ended the regular season ranked eighth nationally among all freshmen with his tackle total.

Todd, a rising senior, finished third in the league averaging 27.35 yards per kickoff return. He took one to the house against Southern Miss and returned another 79 yards at Georgia State. Todd also was a force on offense with five touchdown receptions and 666 receiving yards.

Todd – as a receiver – and cornerback Terence Dunlap were second team selections and running back B.J. Smith was a third team pick, while offensive lineman Dylan Bradshaw and bandit Richard Jibunor were fourth team selections.

Season tickets for the 2020 season are on sale now and fans who purchase or renew their tickets during the month of July will be eligible for Troy's "Summer of Prizes" giveaways.

Season ticket packages start as low as $60 for general admission seating and $100 for reserved seats for Troy's six home games at The Vet. Tickets can be purchased or renewed by calling 877-878-WINS (9467) or by visiting TroyTrojans.com/tickets.

Troy University Athletics

Phil Steele Tabs 10 Trojans to All-Sun Belt Preseason Team

Players Mentioned

Dylan Bradshaw

Will Choloh

Terence Dunlap

Kaylon Geiger

Richard Jibunor

Carlton Martial

Dell Pettus

B.J. Smith

Reggie Todd

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