With just under two weeks before the Ohio Valley Conference unveils its 2010 preseason All-Conference team, PhilSteele.com has released its preseason All-OVC squad and its preseason Top 40 rankings with three OVC teams represented. The publication has been doing a day-by-day countdown of the Top 25 with Eastern Illinois ranked 19th.

In addition to the national ranking, the Panthers had ten total preseason selections with five on the first team and five on the second team. Leading the first team were returning All-OVC selections Mon Williams and Willie Henderson on offense while CJ James and Perry Burge were returning All-OVC players on defense. A new addition to the list was linebacker Nick Nasti.

The second team preseason selections included wide receiver Lorence Ricks and guard Eric Zink on offense while Spyros Bazigos and Rashad Haynes were selected on the defensive side of the ball. Kevin Cook was selected as a preseason second team All-OVC punter.

James was the only returning first team selection for the Panthers from last season as he led the Panthers in interceptions. James had a team high 5 interceptions including two returned for touchdowns as he currently ranks 18th nationally in interceptions. He is ranked third nationally in interception return yards at 152. James has 41 tackles this season with two sacks and four pass break-ups.

Williams, a transfer from Florida, carried most of the rushing load for the Panthers last season earning second team All-OVC honors. Williams rushed for 763 yards with a pair of games over the 100-yard mark. He was 4th in the OVC in rushing and ranks 49th nationally. Williams scored 9 rushing touchdowns which was second highest in the OVC. He was also named to the All-OVC Newcomer list.

Henderson earned second team All-OVC honors after moving over to right guard after playing some center last season. He moved into the starting line-up midway through the season and led the team grading out at 89 percent. He was credited with 33 decleater blocks. This year he will move back to his natural position of center where he was selected to the preseason All-OVC team.

Burge earned second team honors as he became the Panthers top rushing defensive end. Burge led EIU with five sacks for 29 yards which ranked third in the OVC. He made 27 tackles and was credited with six quarterback hurries and 6.5 tackles for loss.

Nasti is a first team All-OVC honoree after the linebacker led the Panthers in tackles last season. Nasti made 83 stops with 3.5 tackles for loss, one interception, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Ricks may be one of the most underrated players in the OVC as a second team preseason selection. Last year he was named the National Special Teams Player of the Week for his effort against Jacksonville State. At wide receiver Ricks caught 19 passes for 381 yards and three touchdowns. As a kick returner he had 10 returns for a 30.6 yards per return average and one touchdown. As a special teams player he made ten tackles with two forced fumbles and two blocked kicks.

Zink has been a two-year starter at left guard and one of the Panthers most consistent blockers. Last season he graded out at 82 percent for the season missing two games due to injury as he finished the year with 36 decleater blocks.

A second team All-OVC recipient for the second time in his career last year, Haynes, was also a second-team selection in 2007. He entered the season as the Panthers top shutdown corner and led EIU with 11 pass break-ups. He had only one interception on the season which he returned for a touchdown as he moved up to 7th on the EIU career interceptions list. Haynes was fourth on the team with 43 tackles.

Bazigos became a great role reserve player in the interior line last season and will move into a starting role this year. He made 27 tackles in the middle with 5.5 tackles for loss including one sack and two fumble recoveries.

Cook was one the nation's best punters last season as he finished the season ranked 9th in the NCAA averaging 42 yards per punt. He had 14 punts downed inside the 20-yard line while sending 13 punts 50-yards or more.

For the PhilSteele.com national Top 40 rankings Eastern Illinois was ranked 19th to lead three Ohio Valley Conference schools receiving votes. Jacksonville State was selected at No. 22 while Eastern Kentucky was picked at No. 32. Two additional EIU opponents also landed on the preseason Top 40 rankings with Illinois State coming in at No. 13 and Central Arkansas at No. 33.

The Panthers open the 2010 home season against Central Arkansas. Season tickets are now on sale by calling 217-581-2106.

The preseason Top 10 by PhilSteele.com were William & Mary, Appalachian State, Villanova, Montana, Northern Iowa, Elon, Southern Illinois, James Madison, Northern Arizona and McNeese State.