NEW ORLEANS – The Sun Belt Conference announced Friday its 2016 Preseason All-Sun Belt Football Team and individual awards, with wide receiver Ajalen Holley and safety Tre' Hunter each selected as members of the conference's preseason second team, as selected by the league's 11 head football coaches and selected members of the media.
“Their leadership will be extremely important,” head coach Matt Viator stated of his recognized seniors. “Both are exceptional young men in addition to being great players, so I am happy for them. Those were two of the first young men to be here and get on board.”
“It is a tough situation to be somewhere three and a half years and it change. As a coaching staff, to be able to spend a lot of time with guys like those two was key. Older players who are off-campus and don't necessarily leave for the holidays, they were here with us a lot over the Christmas break last year and we were able to really get to know them, talk to them, and listen to them. It's really been beneficial to us.”
Holley led the Warhawks with 709 receiving yards (11.8 per catch) while placing second in all-purpose yards (727) as he started 10 of the 12 games he played in last season. Hunter led the team with three interceptions and his 55 tackles are the most for any returning Warhawk this season.
Holley was also named to last year's 2015 Preseason Team and was a member of the 2014 All-Sun Belt Second Team following his sophomore season.
The full listing of honorees included 36 seniors between the two teams comprised of 53 total student-athletes. There were 17 seniors, eight juniors and one sophomore on the first team while the second team had 19 seniors and eight juniors.
The full preseason all-Sun Belt Team listings and awards can be viewed here.
Holley and Hunter, along with Viator, will be ULM's representatives at Sun Belt Conference Media Day on Monday in New Orleans. The trio and the rest of the Warhawks open the lid on the 2016 campaign on Sept. 3 inside Malone Stadium against Southern. Tickets are available by calling 342-HAWK or online.
