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STRETCHING OUT — Levi Drake Rodriguez (53) is shown warming up prior to a game last season. Roriguez was one of 12 Lions named to the all-Southland Conference teams by Phil Steele Magazine recently. Submitted Photo
COMMERCE — A dozen Texas A&M University- Commerce football players have been named to all-Southland Conference preseason teams by Phil Steele magazine.
The Lions, who went 3-3 in conference play last season in their first NCAA Division I FCS season, had three offensive players earn all-conference honors, seven on defense, and two on special teams.
Offensively, lineman Jadin Jones (Killeen) is named to the third team, while running back Reggie Branch (Houston – Crosby), and lineman McKenzie Agnello (Copperas Cove) earned fourth team all-conference honors.
On the defensive side, A&M-Commerce was the top-ranked defense in the Southland in 2022. Defensive lineman Levi Drake Rodriguez (Georgetown – East View) and defensive back Max Epps (Spring – Dekaney) were named to the second team.
The Lions on the third team defense include linemen Leon Young (Dallas – Cedar Hill) and Clifford Funderburk (North Forney), linebacker Brandon Tucker, Jr. (DeSoto), and defensive back Daryion Taylor (Humble Atascocita). Rounding out the Lions on the defensive side, lineman Bryson Stewart (Missouri City – Ridge Point), linebacker Jaheim Lowe (Cedar Hill), and Kendall Paul (Dallas – Bishop Dunne), earned fourth team all-conference honors.
Long snapper Josiah Kennard (Manvel) was named to second team all-conference special teams and Sean-Krystoff King (Humble – Summer Creek) was named to the third team.
A&M-Commerce begins the 2023 season at home on August 31 at 7 p.m. against UC Davis. Tickets and tailgate spots are now on sale and can be purchased at LionAthletics. com/Tickets.
Phil Steele Magazine's FCS Preview is available now here: https://philsteele. com/product-category/digital- magazine/.