Troy University Athletics
Troy Lands Ten Players on Athlon Preseason All-Sun Belt Team
5/24/2023 4:16:00 PM | Football
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TROY, Ala. – Coming off its league-leading seventh Sun Belt title, Troy landed 10 players on the Athlon Sports Preseason All-Sun Belt Team, the magazine announced Wednesday. Seven of Troy's double-digit selections were on the defensive side of the football.
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T.J. Jackson, Richard Jibunor and Reddy Steward were named to the first team; Kimani Vidal, Javon Solomon, O'Shai Fletcher and Dell Pettus were named to the second team; Jabre Barber and Grant Betts were named to the third team and Jayden McDonald was a fourth team selection.
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Jackson and Steward were both All-Sun Belt First Team selections last season, while Jibunor and Vidal were second team picks.
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Troy finished the 2022 season on a 12-game winning streak, second-longest only to National Champion Georgia. Additionally, the Trojans defeated UTSA in the Cure Bowl in the only matchup in bowl season featuring a pair of conference championships. Troy earned a No. 19 ranking in the final AP Top 25, its first-ever postseason ranking.
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Troy's First Team Selections
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T.J. Jackson
One of just 16 players nationally to record at least 14.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks and two forced fumbles on the year … Recorded 1.5 tackles for loss in five different games, tied for the 15th most in the country … Tied for fourth nationally with 1.5 sacks in three different games
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Richard Jibunor
Tied for 17th nationally with a tackle for loss in 10 different games and was third with a sack in nine games … Finished the season with 11 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, an interception, two pass break ups, seven quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles … One of five players in the country with at least three forced fumbles, 7.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss and an interception
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Reddy Steward
Top-rated cornerback in the Sun Belt per PFF, second-rated corner in the G5 and in the country with an overall 90.7 grade ... Ranked second nationally holding opponents to 8.7 yards after the catch and his NFL Passer Rating Against is the ninth best nationally ... Returned an interception 67 yards for a touchdown at Arkansas State and added another pick late in the fourth quarter to lock in Troy's Sun Belt West Title
TROY, Ala. – Coming off its league-leading seventh Sun Belt title, Troy landed 10 players on the Athlon Sports Preseason All-Sun Belt Team, the magazine announced Wednesday. Seven of Troy's double-digit selections were on the defensive side of the football.
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T.J. Jackson, Richard Jibunor and Reddy Steward were named to the first team; Kimani Vidal, Javon Solomon, O'Shai Fletcher and Dell Pettus were named to the second team; Jabre Barber and Grant Betts were named to the third team and Jayden McDonald was a fourth team selection.
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Jackson and Steward were both All-Sun Belt First Team selections last season, while Jibunor and Vidal were second team picks.
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Troy finished the 2022 season on a 12-game winning streak, second-longest only to National Champion Georgia. Additionally, the Trojans defeated UTSA in the Cure Bowl in the only matchup in bowl season featuring a pair of conference championships. Troy earned a No. 19 ranking in the final AP Top 25, its first-ever postseason ranking.
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Troy's First Team Selections
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T.J. Jackson
One of just 16 players nationally to record at least 14.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks and two forced fumbles on the year … Recorded 1.5 tackles for loss in five different games, tied for the 15th most in the country … Tied for fourth nationally with 1.5 sacks in three different games
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Richard Jibunor
Tied for 17th nationally with a tackle for loss in 10 different games and was third with a sack in nine games … Finished the season with 11 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, an interception, two pass break ups, seven quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles … One of five players in the country with at least three forced fumbles, 7.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss and an interception
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Reddy Steward
Top-rated cornerback in the Sun Belt per PFF, second-rated corner in the G5 and in the country with an overall 90.7 grade ... Ranked second nationally holding opponents to 8.7 yards after the catch and his NFL Passer Rating Against is the ninth best nationally ... Returned an interception 67 yards for a touchdown at Arkansas State and added another pick late in the fourth quarter to lock in Troy's Sun Belt West Title
Players Mentioned
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