Ball State University Athletics
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Five Cardinals Named to Athlon’s Preseason All-MAC Football Team
May 30, 2017 | Football
MUNCIE, Ind. – The arrival of summer also means the arrival of preseason football publications. Athlon has released its preseason All-Mid-American Conference team and five Ball State Cardinals made the list – running back James Gilbert, defensive lineman Anthony Winbush, offensive lineman Vinnie Palazeti, defensive back Marc Walton and kicker Morgan Hagee.
Gilbert and Winbush were both first team selections. Gilbert is one of the top returning running backs in the MAC. The native of Indianapolis, Indiana, averaged 111 rushing yards per game as a sophomore, which ranked second in the league and 22nd nationally. He piled up 1,332 rushing yards in 2016, the fourth most in a single season by a Ball State player. Gilbert reached the 100-yard mark seven times, including a stretch of five consecutive games in the middle of the year.
Winbush, also hailing from Indianapolis, Indiana, ranked fourth in the MAC with 8.5 sacks a year ago. He posted multiple sacks against Indiana, Central Michigan and Miami (Ohio). Winbush totaled a season-high five tackles in the win at Florida Atlantic, including 1.5 tackles for loss. He helped the Cardinals rank second in the league with 31 total sacks in 2016.
Palazeti was the team's only selection on Athlon's third team. He played the majority of the 2016 season at center, but is expected to return to his natural position of guard this fall. The native of Owosso, Michigan, helped Ball State average 220 rushing yards per game last year, its highest average since 1978.
Athlon placed Walton and Hagee on its fourth team. Walton, a native of Mentor, Ohio, was the team's only defensive back to start every game last year. He led the team and ranked fourth in the MAC with 14 passes defended.
Hagee converted 15-of-19 (78.9 percent) of his field goal attempts and all 37 extra points as a sophomore. Hailing from Plainfield, Indiana, Hagee was one of three MAC kickers to make every extra point attempt in 2016 and also ranked fourth in field goals made.
Athlon selected its preseason all-conference teams on how players are expected to perform in 2017. Career statistics and awards matter in the evaluation, but choosing players for the all-conference teams is largely based on predicting and projecting the best for the upcoming year.
For Athlon's complete 2017 preseason All-MAC selections, please CLICK HERE.
The Cardinals kick off their 2017 season the first weekend in September with a trip to Illinois. Ball State's home opener is set for Saturday, Sept. 9 against UAB. Season ticket purchases can be made on-line at BallStateSports.com (CLICK HERE).
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State football team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateFB and @BSUCoachNeu.
Gilbert and Winbush were both first team selections. Gilbert is one of the top returning running backs in the MAC. The native of Indianapolis, Indiana, averaged 111 rushing yards per game as a sophomore, which ranked second in the league and 22nd nationally. He piled up 1,332 rushing yards in 2016, the fourth most in a single season by a Ball State player. Gilbert reached the 100-yard mark seven times, including a stretch of five consecutive games in the middle of the year.
Winbush, also hailing from Indianapolis, Indiana, ranked fourth in the MAC with 8.5 sacks a year ago. He posted multiple sacks against Indiana, Central Michigan and Miami (Ohio). Winbush totaled a season-high five tackles in the win at Florida Atlantic, including 1.5 tackles for loss. He helped the Cardinals rank second in the league with 31 total sacks in 2016.
Palazeti was the team's only selection on Athlon's third team. He played the majority of the 2016 season at center, but is expected to return to his natural position of guard this fall. The native of Owosso, Michigan, helped Ball State average 220 rushing yards per game last year, its highest average since 1978.
Athlon placed Walton and Hagee on its fourth team. Walton, a native of Mentor, Ohio, was the team's only defensive back to start every game last year. He led the team and ranked fourth in the MAC with 14 passes defended.
Hagee converted 15-of-19 (78.9 percent) of his field goal attempts and all 37 extra points as a sophomore. Hailing from Plainfield, Indiana, Hagee was one of three MAC kickers to make every extra point attempt in 2016 and also ranked fourth in field goals made.
Athlon selected its preseason all-conference teams on how players are expected to perform in 2017. Career statistics and awards matter in the evaluation, but choosing players for the all-conference teams is largely based on predicting and projecting the best for the upcoming year.
For Athlon's complete 2017 preseason All-MAC selections, please CLICK HERE.
The Cardinals kick off their 2017 season the first weekend in September with a trip to Illinois. Ball State's home opener is set for Saturday, Sept. 9 against UAB. Season ticket purchases can be made on-line at BallStateSports.com (CLICK HERE).
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State football team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateFB and @BSUCoachNeu.
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