By: Andrew Clausen
KENNESAW, Ga. – On the eve of the start of fall camp, Kennesaw State football's Bryson Armstrong, Chandler Burks and CJ Collins were selected to the STATS FCS Preseason All-America Team, it was announced today.
After being named last year's Jerry Rice National Freshman of the Year, linebacker Armstrong is now a consensus preseason All-American entering his second season at KSU after also receiving the honor from Athlon Sports, HERO Sports, and College Football America.
The Marietta, Ga. native earned first-team STATS FCS preseason All-America honors after setting a Big South record with 11 solo sacks for 79 yards last season. Along with co-leading the nation in fumbles recovered (four), he also recorded a school-record 114 total tackles to lead all conference linebackers.
Graduate quarterback Burks was named a second-team STATS FCS preseason All-American after also earning the honor from College Football America and HERO Sports. His 2017 accolades include leading the nation with 18 rushing touchdowns, while directing the Owls to the nation's top run game.
The Douglasville, Ga. native became the first player in Big South history with 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards passing. Burks also finished his breakout season by becoming the first player in league history to be voted the Big South's Offensive Player of the Year and Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Senior Collins' third-team STATS FCS preseason All-America selection adds to his already lauded performance last season as the Owls' center. The Woodstock, Ga. native was also named a preseason All-American by HERO Sports and College Football America, in addition to earning a selection to Lindy's all-FCS first team.
A rock on the offensive line of the country's best rushing attack, Collins accounted for 42.6 percent of the returning line's knockdowns, recording 195 on the year – good for second-best on the team.
Kennesaw State finished 12-2 in 2017, ranking No. 8 in the final national poll after becoming the first NCAA Division I program to make the FCS quarterfinals in its third year. The Owls' 12 victories set a new NCAA record for an FCS program in just its third season and their 12-straight wins marked the longest hot streak in Big South history. KSU capped the historic season as the country's leading offensive attack and the conference's leading defense.
Season tickets are still available for the 2018 campaign. Fans can purchase season tickets by clicking HERE or calling the KSU Department of Athletics ticket office at 470-578-4849.
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