MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama football program had 10 individuals named preseason all-Sun Belt Conference by Athlon Sports on Tuesday, including a trio who were selected first-team.

Gerald Everett was the lone choice on offense at tight end, while defensively a pair of individuals expected to play new positions in the fall — safety Kalen Jackson and cornerback Jeremy Reaves — were honored as well.

Everett was among the top 10 in the league for most of the year in both catches and receiving yards per outing, ending the campaign with team-high totals of 41 and 575, respectively.  In his first season as a Jaguar, he accounted for 13 touchdowns with a season-record-tying eight via receptions, four on the ground and one scoring pass.  He was a first-team all-Sun Belt selection in the fall, and also a member of the league's All-Newcomer Team.

Reaves is the Jags' leading returning tackler this fall after posting 96 stops as a safety a year ago, a figure that ranked second on the squad.  He was also second with eight tackles for loss, tied for the team lead with three forced fumbles and broke up six passes to pace USA in the latter category.  Jackson — who played linebacker last season — finished with a squad-best 8½ tackles behind the line of scrimmage while also sharing team-high honors with a pair of interceptions.  He concluded his first campaign with the program with a total of 72 stops and was also credited with three quarterback pressures.

The former was chosen second-team all-conference in 2015, with the latter receiving honorable mention recognition.

South's second-team preseason all-SBC picks according to the organization were running back Xavier Johnson, defensive lineman Tre Alford and placekicker Aleem Sunanon, with Roman Buchanan a third-team selection at linebacker.  Earning fourth-team honors for the Jaguars were wide receiver Josh Magee, offensive lineman Curtis Williams and defensive lineman Jimmie Gipson III.

The Jags will visit Mississippi State on Saturday, Sept. 3 at 11 a.m. (CDT) to begin the 2016 campaign.  The SEC Network will have live television coverage of the game.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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