Owls tabbed to finish fifth in coaches poll

The Sun Belt Media days kicked off for the second year in a row in online fashion today with the announcement of FAU running back Alfred Morris and cornerback Tavious Polo as members of the Preseason All-Sun Belt Team as voted on by the Sun Belt Head Coaches and Media Representatives.

Morris was somewhat off a lock going into the media days to land on the first team, especially after leading the Sun Belt in rushing yards last season. But the selection of Polo is a bit surprising. Last season Polo managed 32 tackles and one interception, which is not comparable to his freshman season in which he had 53 tackles and seven interceptions giving him Freshman All-American and All-Sun Belt honors.

Middle Tennessee cornerback Rod Issac and Louisiana’s Dwight Bentley both had more productive years than Polo last season, managing 72 tackles and seven pass breaks ups and 58 tackles and four interceptions respectively. However, with that being said it appears that voters believe Polo is in store for a big season - something that FAU fans are hoping for as well.

Here's the full field:

Offense

Dwight Dasher (MT, Sr., QB)
Alfred Morris (FAU, Jr., RB)
Lance Dunbar (NT, Jr., RB)
T.Y. Hilton (FIU, Jr., WR)
Jerrel Jernigan (Troy, Sr., WR)
Ladarius Green (ULL, Jr., TE)
Derek Newton (ASU, Sr., OL)
Brad Serirni (FIU, Sr., OL)
Mark Fisher (MT, Sr., OL)
Esteban Santiago (NT, Sr., OL)
Tyler Clark (Troy, Sr., OL)

Defense

Bryan Hall (ASU, Sr., DL)
Troy Evans (ULM, Jr., DL)
Jamari Lattimore (MT, Sr., DL)
Brandon Akpunku (NT, Jr., DL)
Demario Davis (ASU, Jr., LB)
Grant Fleming (ULL, Sr., LB)
Craig Robertson (NT, Sr., LB)
Tavious Polo (FAU, Sr., DB)
Anthony Gaitor (FIU, Sr., DB)
Jeremy Kellem (MT, Sr., DB)
Bryan Willis (Troy, So., DB)

Special Teams

Alan Gendreau (MT, Jr., Place Kicker)
Spencer Ortego (ULL, Sr., Punter)
T.Y. Hilton (FIU, Jr., Return Specialist)

Offensive Player of the Year

Dwight Dasher (MT, Sr., QB)

Defensive Player of the Year

Bryan Hall (ASU, Sr., DL)

FAU was tabbed to finish fifth overall, just ahead of Florida International, in the coaches poll - with first place votes in parenthesis.

2010 Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Middle Tennessee 75 (5)

2. Troy 73 (3)

3. Arkansas State 53

4. Louisiana-Lafayette 49 (1)

5. Florida Atlantic 45

6. FIU 42

7. Louisiana-Monroe 32

8. North Texas 27

9. WKU 9

The Owls will begin fall camp on on August 7th.