Preseason All-OVCÂ Team and Order of Finish
NASHVILLE – Three Eastern Illinois players were named to the preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference team on Monday as the league held its annual football media day in Nashville, Tenn.
Alexander Hollins,
Isaiah Johnson and
Mark Williams were all named to the preseason team. The Panthers as a team were selected to finish fourth in the league's preseason poll.
Hollins was an All-OVC Newcomer selection last season at wide receiver hauling in 47 catches for 694 yards and seven touchdowns. Hollins ranked fourth in the OVC last season in both receiving yards and touchdown catches.
Johnson was a second team All-OVC selection last season at running back rushing for 683 yards and five touchdowns. Johnson ranked fourth in the league in rushing yards.
Williams was a freshman All-American last season at defensive back finishing the season with 49 tackles, three interceptions and 11 pass break-ups. He was on the watch list for the Jerry Rice Award presented to the nation's top FCS Freshman.
Running back Marquis Terry from Southeast Missouri was the preseason OVC Offensive Player of the Year while defensive back Marlon Bridges from Jacksonville State was the preseason OVC Defensive Player of the Year.
In the preseason poll defending league champion Jacksonville State was picked first receiving 14 of the 18 first-place votes. Austin Peay was voted second with the other four first-place votes.  UT Martin was picked third followed by Eastern Illinois, Eastern Kentucky, Tennessee State, Southeast Missouri, Murray State and Tennessee Tech.
The Panthers will report for fall camp in early August with the season opener on Sept. 1 at Arkansas. The home opener is Saturday, Sept. 15 against Indiana State. Season ticket renewals and sales are underway by calling 217-581-2106 or online at
www.eiupanthertickets.com
.
