ATHLON TOP 25
ATHLON PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA TEAM

THIBODAUX, La - Athlon Sports announced its 2020 FCS Preseason All-America Team and Top 25 Poll, with the Nicholls State University football team ranking No. 14 in the poll while senior offensive lineman P.J. Burkhalter was named to the all-America squad.

Nicholls finished 2019 ranked No. 14 in the STATS FCS and Coaches Top 25 polls after a 9-5 campaign which featured a third consecutive appearance in the FCS playoffs. The Colonels also won the Southland Conference for the second straight time and a third-straight 7-2 season in the SLC.

Nicholls was one of four Southland teams in the preseason poll, joined by Central Arkansas (11th), Sam Houston State (16th), and Southeastern Louisiana (17th). UCA and Southeastern are both coming off postseason appearances as well. 

A native of Franklinton, Louisiana, Burkhalter was one of seven returnees from Athlon's postseason all-America team. He anchored the Colonel offensive line, starting at center and at guard for the Southland's top rushing attack. He was recognized as the league's offensive lineman of the year. 

2020 NICHOLLS FOOTBALL INFO
Season tickets for the 2020 Nicholls football campaign are available by visiting NichollsTickets.com. For more information, please visit the season ticket info page here.

The Colonels are coming off back-to-back Southland Conference championships - a first in school history. Nicholls has made the FCS playoffs three straight years, highlighted by home games in each of the three appearances.