GREENVILLE, S.C. ? Six football players were selected to the 2008 Preseason All-Southern Conference teams, the league office announced Wednesday at the annual SoCon Football Rouser.

The teams were chosen by the league's nine coaches who were not allowed to vote for their own players.

The Mocs had three representatives on offense and three on defense, led by senior running back Bryan Fitzgerald on the First Team.

“I think this is the most preseason players we have had selected since I have been here,” UTC Head Coach Rodney Allison said. “We have great players, and it is exciting to know that my fellow coaches in this league recognize that. We would like to have had a few more, but we are happy for the ones who were picked.”

Although he ranked sixth in the league in 2007 in rushing, Fitzgerald is the leading returning rusher in the SoCon. The Memphis, Tenn., native ran for 798 yards on 117 carries and set a school season record with 6.8 yards per carry.

Joining Fitzgerald with offensive honors were senior offensive lineman William Giles and junior receiver Blue Cooper. Both were Second-Team honorees.

Giles, from Richmond Hill, Ga., will lead the Mocs' offensive line this year as a three-year starter. Cooper, from Rome, Ga., was second on the squad last season in receptions with 37.

Listed on the Second-Team defensive unit for the Mocs were seniors Raeshon Ball and Neil Brown and junior Joseph Thornton.

Ball, from Stone Mountain, Ga., is expected to start at one of the cornerback positions. He missed all of last season because of a knee injury but is cleared for competition this season. He totaled 40 tackles and two interceptions in 2006.

Brown, a Buford, Ga., native, returns for his third year as a starter on the defensive line. In 2007, he registered 43 tackles with nine for a loss and 3.5 sacks.

Thornton, also a Stone Mountain native, is the top returning tackler from a year ago with 66. Listed as one of three linebackers on the Second Team, he led the SoCon and ranked 13^th nationally in 2007 with 18 tackles for loss.

Appalachian State junior quarterback Armanti Edwards was the choice by the coaches as the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Edwards led the Mountaineers to their third straight NCAA Championship last season. He passed for 1,948 yards and 17 touchdowns and ran for 1,588 yards and 21 scores.

ASU senior linebacker Pierre Banks is the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Banks compiled 108 tackles in 2007 with seven hits behind the line and three fumble recoveries.

The Mocs report to campus July 30 and open preseason camp the following day.