MCKINNEY, Texas – Texas A&M-Kingsville is predicted to finish third in the Lone Star Conference according to the 2023 LSC Football Preseason Poll, which was announced on Thursday at LSC Football Media Day at McKinney ISD Stadium's Community Event Center in McKinney, Texas.
The third-place ranking is the highest for the Javelinas while under fourth year head coach Michael Salinas earning the selection after earning 174 points in the poll.
The Javelinas head into the 2023 season returning 15 starters after a 2022 campaign that saw the Hogs go 7-5, the program's best record since 2012.
"Coach Mike Salinas is committed to excellence both on and off the field, and that spirit has transformed our program and our student-athletes," said university President Dr. Robert Vela Jr. on the upcoming season. "I am confident that with Coach Salinas at the helm, Javelina Football will continue to build on its strong winning tradition."
Angelo State is predicted to win its second consecutive LSC championship totaling 241 points, collecting all but two first-place votes of the 27 ballots. The Rams are coming off a 12-1 record in 2022 including a perfect record in league play.
Central Washington was picked as the conference runner-up with 198 points and one first-place vote. The Wildcats finished second in the league last season with a 6-3 record (6-4 overall).
Following the Javelinas in the poll are 2021 LSC champion Midwestern State (147 points), West Texas A&M (123 points), Western Oregon (118 points), UT Permian Basin (98 points), Eastern New Mexico (59 points) and Western New Mexico (57 points). WOU picked up the final first-place vote.
The preseason poll is voted on by LSC head coaches, sports information directors and media members.
Individually, senior defensive back Amos Coleman was named the league's preseason defensive player of the, the first Javelina to earn the honor in the Salinas era.
Coleman earns the honor after a stellar 2022 season, recording five interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns while adding 39 total tackles en-route to being named a first-team All-American by the AFCA and was also first-team All-LSC.
Coleman also doubled as a returner and took one kickoff back a conference season-long 95 yards for a score.
Graduate running back Christian Anderson was also named on the conference's offensive players to watch list.
The product out of Cypress, Texas rushed for 812 yards, averaging 4.5 yards per carry, and scored 10 touchdowns in 2022.
The Javelinas open the 2023 season on the road against Colorado Mesa on Sept. 9.
Stay up-to-date with everything related to Javelina football all year long by following the program on Twitter and Instagram at @JavelinaFB and see recent news on Facebook at /JavelinaFootball. Watch your Javelinas live on the Lone Star Conference Digital Network.
2023 LSC FOOTBALL PRESEASON POLL
Rank Team 1st Total
1 Angelo State 25 241
2 Central Washington 1 198
3 Texas A&M-Kingsville 174
4 Midwestern State 147
5 West Texas A&M 123
6 Western Oregon 1 118
7 UT Permian Basin 98
8 Eastern New Mexico 59
9 Western New Mexico 57
2023 LSC FOOTBALL PRESEASON AWARDS
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Tre'jon Henderson, RB, Jr., Central Washington
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Amos Coleman, DB, Sr., Texas A&M-Kingsville
Preseason Offensive Players to Watch
Name School Cl. Pos. Major Hometown (Previous School)
Zorhan Rideaux Angelo State Jr. WR Kinesiology Houston, Texas (North Shore HS)
Tre'jon Henderson Central Washington Jr. RB Media/Journalism Fort Worth, Texas (SFA)
Hunter St. John Eastern New Mexico Gr. OL Business Admin. Clovis, N.M. (CHS)
Jalen March Midwestern State Fr. RB Education Seguin, Texas (SHS)
Christian Anderson Texas A&M-Kingsville Gr. RB Adult Education Cypress, Texas (CHS)
Kenny Hrncir UT Permian Basin Gr. QB MBA Needville, Texas (East Central)
Noah Bogardus West Texas A&M Sr. WR Public Admin. Eastvale, Calif. (Azusa Pacific)
Devin Larsen Western New Mexico Jr. QB Kinesiology Queen Creek, Ariz. (Iowa St.)
Gannon Winker Western Oregon Jr. QB Org. Leadership Bainbridge Island, Wash. (BHS)
Preseason Defensive Players to Watch
Name School Cl. Pos. Major Hometown (Previous School)
Eric Rascoe Angelo State Jr. LB Business Admin. San Antonio, Texas (Warren HS)
Patrick Rogers Central Washington Sr. DB Business Admin. Tacoma, Wash. (Lincoln HS)
Timothy Jones Eastern New Mexico Sr. LB Management Sierra Vista, Ariz. (Saddleback)
Dylon Davis Midwestern State Sr. CB Criminal Justice Abilene, Texas (Cooper HS)
Amos Coleman Texas A&M-Kingsville Sr. DB Criminal Justice New Orleans, La. (Elsik HS)
Hayden Kelly UT Permian Basin Sr. LB Business Marketing Magnolia, Texas (MHS)
JT Cavender West Texas A&M Jr. LB Mech. Engineering Midlothian, Texas (MHS)
Jordan Davis Western New Mexico Jr. CB Kinesiology Macon, Ga. (Northeastern Okla. A&M)
Malcom Liufau Western Oregon So. LB Exercise Science Honolulu, Hawaii (Punahou HS)
