Alabama State Football News and Notes

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Dematrius Davis transferred to Alabama State after a redshirt year in 2021 at Auburn University. Before, Davis, who was an outstanding dual-threat quarterback coming out of High School, led the Mustangs to a pair of Texas state titles and a runner-up finish before signing with Auburn. ESPN rated him the No. 4 dual-threat recruit nationally and even a top 15 player at the quarterback position nationally.

On the defensive side, Florida native Irshaad Davis posted a team-high 67 tackles (13th SWAC), and 40 solo stops, on the way to garnering Second-Team All-SWAC honors in 2021. Davis tied for third in the SWAC with three interceptions while posting six tackles for loss and two sacks. The Carol City, Fla., product posted a season-high 11 tackles against Prairie View A&M and had nine stops at Arkansas-Pine Bluff. His interceptions came against Bethune Cookman, Texas Southern, and Tuskegee. The Defensive back posted a team-leading 67 tackles (top-15 in the SWAC), 40 solo tackles, and was named Second-Team All-SWAC in 2021. Davis tied for third in the SWAC with three interceptions while posting six tackles for loss and two sacks.

Alston was an All-SWAC Second-Team selection in 2021, playing and starting 10 games on the offensive front for the Hornets.

The Preseason All-SWAC teams, Individual Winners, and Predicted Order of Finish was voted by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors.

Most picked Jackson State’s Shedeur Sanders as a favorite to win Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while Florida A&M’s Isaiah Land was predicted to be Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

The league’s 2022 Predicted Order of Finish announced Jackson State (116) take first place in the SWAC Eastern Division. Florida A&M (108), Alabama A&M (87), Alabama State (60), Bethune-Cookman (56), and Mississippi Valley State (35) round out the East Division Preseason Poll rankings.

Southern University (111) was tabbed to finish first place in the SWAC Western Division. Alcorn State (110), Prairie View A&M (82), Grambling State (77), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (42), and Texas Southern (40) round out the West Division Preseason Poll rankings.

This year could be a prove-it year for Alabama State as they lost all road games last season but remain undefeated at home since the Spring 2020 season. Coach Eddie Robinson has his work cut out as most predict them to finish 4th in the Eastern Division.