ABILENE – Five members of the Abilene Christian football team Thursday were named to the 2019 Southland Preseason All-Conference Teams. Seniors
Jeremiah Chambers (LB) and
Billy McCrary (RB) attained first team honors as returning all-conference selections, while
Josh Fink (WR),
Kade Parmelly (OL) and
Bolu Onifade (DB) all received spots on the second team.
The Wildcats' five honorees were tied for the fifth (with Incarnate Word) most of 11 conference schools. The defending regular season champions from Nicholls (which ACU defeated last season, 28-12) led the way with 11 selections followed by Central Arkansas with seven. Southeastern Louisiana and Sam Houston State each claimed six honorees.
Supporting information on ACU's five selections are included below.
FIRST TEAM
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Sr. Linebacker Jeremiah Chambers –
One of the top defensive players in the Southland Conference ... a true three-down linebacker, playing on running and passing downs, rarely coming off the field for the defense, and also playing on special teams ... Finished third in the league in total tackles (113) and sixth in solo tackles (59) ... Eighth in the league in tackles for loss (14.5) and had one pass breakup, one pass defended, three quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries ... His 113 tackles last season were tied for 10th-best in ACU single-season history ... Recorded a career-high 16 tackles at McNeese on Oct. 6 ... Earned Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors on Oct. 15 after leading ACU to a 28-12 upset over then-No. 9 Nicholls .. Had 14 tackles (8 solo) vs. the Colonels, including 3.0 tackles for loss and one sack.
FIRST TEAM
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Sr. Running Back Billy McCrary –
Voted to the 2018 second team as a running back ... Shared league Newcomer of the Year honors with Lamar running back Jordan Hoy ... Averaged the most yards per carry in the conference (8.2) and found pay dirt 10 times through the air and on the ground ... His 222-yard rushing game against Southeastern Louisiana on Oct. 20 was the second-best rushing game by a Southland player this season.
SECOND TEAM
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Sr. Wide Receiver Josh Fink –
First ACU football player to earn Academic All-America honors at the NCAA Division I level ... Ranked ninth in the Southland Conference (55),13th in the league in receiving yards (644), tied for 14th in receiving touchdowns (4) and 15th in receiving yards per game (58.5) ... Enters his senior season in 2019 10th on the all-time receptions list (122) and just outside the top 10 in yardage (1,461 career receiving yards) ... Finished 2018 with career single-season bests in receptions, yards and touchdowns.
SECOND TEAM
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Sr. Safety Bolu Onifade –
One of the top play-makers in the league from the safety position ... Placed third on the team with 59 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one interception, six passes broken up and seven passes defended ... A big hitter, his play in the secondary was one of the primary reasons for ACU's 17-10 win at Sam Houston State on Nov. 10.
SECOND TEAM
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Jr. Offensive Lineman Kade Parmelly –
A two-year starter on the Wildcats' offensive line, he's played both guard and tackle in his two seasons. ... Part of an offensive line that gave up a Southland-low 16 sacks on the season ... ACU went from last in the league in rushing and near the bottom win total offense in 2017 to third in the league in total offense and fourth in rushing offense in 2018.
