THIBODAUX, La. – Nicholls State University football's Jaylon Spears has been named FCS Football Central Preseason All-America Second Team as the organization announced Monday its preseason teams.

The All-American Team consisted of 78 FCS players representing 44 teams and all 13 FCS conferences. A second-team all-purpose selection, Spears was one of three players from the Southland to be recognized, joined by McNeese's Micah Davey and Southeastern's Darius Lewis.

In his first season as a featured offensive player, Spears was named Southland Conference Player of the Year after totaling over 1,300 all-purpose yards and nine touchdowns. Spears averaged an impressive 6.5 yards per carry and 68.5 yards rushing per game, racking up 753 yards on the ground. The New Orleans native rushed for over 100 yards three times, highlighted by back-to-back efforts of 160 and 177 yards in victories over ranked UIW and Lamar. He found the end zone six times for rushing scores, including twice in the home finale win over LU. 

Spears chipped in with 16 receptions for 260 yards with three touchdowns in the passing game as well. A large chunk of the yards came on two of his TD catch-and-runs -- an 88-yarder against SEMO and a 73-yard score in the River Bell Classic win at Southeastern. 

Spears served as the primary kick returner through October, averaging 25.1 yards on 12 returns. He matched his personal best with a 48-yard return in the victory at McNeese. 

FCS Football Central Preseason FCS All-American Team
First-Team Offense: 
QB: Mark Gronowski (South Dakota State) 
RB: Lan Larison (UC Davis) 
RB: Jamar Curtis (Lafayette) 
RB: ShunDerrick Powell (Central Arkansas) 
WR: Efton Chism III (Eastern Washington) 
WR: Javin Whatley (Chattanooga) 
WR: Darius Cooper (Tarleton State) 
WR: Nick DeGennaro (Richmond) 
TE: JJ Galbreath (South Dakota) 
OL: Marcus Wehr (Montana State) 
OL: Charles Grant (William & Mary) 
OL: Gus Miller (South Dakota State) 
OL: Jackson Slater (Sacramento State) 
OL: Grey Zabel (North Dakota State) 
OL: Nick Taiste (South Carolina State) 
AP: Marcus Yarns (Delaware)

First-Team Defense:
DL: David Walker (Central Arkansas) 
DL: Elijah Williams (Morgan State) 
DL: Marlon Taylor (Chattanooga) 
DL: Dylan Hendricks (North Dakota State) 
DL: Brody Grebe (Montana State) 
LB: Adam Bock (South Dakota State) 
LB: Micah Davey (McNeese State) 
LB: Noah Martin (Samford) 
LB: Erick Hunter (Morgan State) 
LB: Amir Abdullah (Illinois State) 
DB: Tucker Large (South Dakota State) 
DB: Cole Wisniewski (North Dakota State) 
DB: Isas Waxter (Villanova) 
DB: Dalys Beanum (South Dakota State) 
DB: Kenny Gallop Jr. (Howard)

First-Team Special Teams: 
K: Will Leyland (South Dakota) 
P: Trey Wilhoit (Florida A&M) 
KR: Abraham Williams (Idaho) 
PR: Tucker Large (South Dakota State) 
AP: Junior Bergen (Montana)

Second-Team Offense: 
QB: Cole Gonzales (Western Carolina) 
QB: Cam Miller (North Dakota State) 
RB: Bronson Yoder (William & Mary) 
RB: Kayvon Britten (Tarleton State) 
RB: Amar Johnson (South Dakota State) 
WR: Bo Belquist (North Dakota) 
WR: Jared Richardson (Penn) 
WR: Carter Bell (South Dakota) 
WR: Daniel Sobkowicz (Illinois State) 
TE: Carter Runyon (Towson) 
TE: Cole Grossman (Montana) 
OL: Justus Perkins (Montana State) 
OL: Ryder Langsdale (Lafayette) 
OL: Payton Collins (Eastern Kentucky) 
OL: Evan Beernsten (South Dakota State) 
OL: Jaison Williams (Youngstown State) 
OL: Reid Williams (Chattanooga) 
AP: Tommy Mellott (Montana State)
AP: Griffin Woodell (UAlbany)

Second-Team Defense: 
DL: Elijah Ponder (Cal Poly) 
DL: Dallas Afalava (Idaho) 
DL: Eli Mostaert (North Dakota State) 
DL: Ckelby Givens (Southern) 
DL: Finn Claypool (Drake) 
DL: Malachi Bailey (Alcorn State) 
LB: Riley Wilson (Montana) 
LB: Logan Kopp (North Dakota State) 
LB: Shane Hartzell (Villanova) 
LB: Ken Standley (Mercer) 
LB: William McRainey (ETSU) 
LB: A.J. Pena (Rhode Island) 
DB: Saiku White (Lafayette) 
DB: Trevin Gradney (Montana) 
DB: Caleb Curtain (Elon) 
DB: Isaiah Reed (Brown) 
DB: Oshae Baker (UT Martin) 
DB: TaMuarion Wilson (Central Arkansas)

Second-Team Special Teams: 
K: Griffin Crosa (North Dakota State)
P: Matt Noll (Jackson State)
KR: Donovan Wadley (Merrimack)
PR: Darius Lewis (Southeastern Louisiana) 
AP: Jaylon Spears (Nicholls)