UM Football Picked 9th In Preseason Poll [VIDEO]

At 2017 Colonial Athletic Association Media Day, the UMaine Black Bears were selected to finish in ninth place in the conference.

The Black Bears were voted to finish in the ninth place of twelve CAA teams for this upcoming season by coaches and media members selected for the poll.  James Madison, the reigning FCS National Champions, were selected at the top spot, followed by Richmond, Villanova, and New Hampshire in that order.

A year ago Maine sported a 6-5 record with a 5-3 conference mark that was good for fourth place in the CAA.  The Black Bears took home 100 total votes, while Stony Brook in eighth place had 118.

In addition to the poll, UMaine had four players selected as part of the All-Conference Preseason teams with Sterling Sheffield, Najee Goode, Micah Wright, and Jamil Demby receiving honors.  JMU QB Bryan Schor was named the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while safety Rob Rolle of Villanova was granted the Defensive Player award.

UMaine will open up the season on August 31st in New Hampshire versus the Wildcats and will play the first game in Alfond Stadium a week later versus Bryant on September 9th.  In conference play the Black Bears will play JMU, Villanova, Rhode Island, William & Mary, Delaware, and Stony Brook, in addition to UNH.

2017 CAA FOOTBALL PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
(Selected by a vote of Head Coaches and Media Relations Directors)

1. James Madison (21 first-place votes) - 241
2. Richmond (3 first-place votes) - 210
3. Villanova  - 209
4. New Hampshire -169
5. Delaware -133
6. UAlbany - 129
7. William & Mary - 124
8. Stony Brook  -118
9. Maine  - 100
10. Towson - 84
11. Elon - 36
12. Rhode Island  - 31

2017 CAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
(Selected by a vote of Head Coaches and Media Relations Directors)
OFFENSE
Name, School                                                  Cl.           Pos.       Ht.          Wt.        Hometown/High School
Bryan Schor, James Madison                      Sr.           QB          6-2          215
Stacey Bedell, Stony Brook                          Sr.           RB           5-9          195
Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks, UAlbany                  Jr.           RB           5-9          199
Deontez Thompson, Richmond                 So.          RB           6-0          200
Anthony Manzo-Lewis, UAlbany                  Sr.           FB           6-2          245
DeVonte Dedmon, William & Mary            Sr.           WR         5-10       195
Neil O’Connor, New Hampshire                Jr.           WR         5-11       191
Micah Wright, Maine                                      Jr.           WR         6-1          190
Jonathan Kloosterman, James Madison Sr.           TE           6-3          245
Jamil Demby, Maine                                       Sr.           OL           6-5          310
Chris Durant, William & Mary                      Sr.           OL           6-4          310
Brody Kern, Delaware                                    Sr.           OL           6-2          290
Timon Parris, Stony Brook                            Sr.           OL           6-5          310
Aaron Stinnie, James Madison                   Sr.           OL           6-5          310         Charlottesville, Va./St. Anne’s-Belfield
DEFENSE
Name, School                                                    Cl.           Pos.       Ht.          Wt.        Hometown/High School
Andrew Ankrah, James Madison                   Sr.           DL           6-4          240
Malachi Hoskins, UAlbany                              Sr.           DL           6-3          230
Bilal Nichols, Delaware                                  Sr.           DL           6-5          300
Brandon Waller, Richmond                            Sr.           DL           6-4          265
Charles Bell, Delaware                                  Sr.           LB           6-1          230
Shayne Lawless, Stony Brook                      Jr.           LB           6-1          220
Sterling Sheffield, Maine                                Jr.           LB           6-2          237
Ed Shockley, Villanova                                   Sr.           LB           5-11       225
Raven Greene, James Madison                  Sr.           S              6-0          200
Rob Rolle, Villanova                                       Sr.           S              6-0          190
Najee Goode, Maine                                     Sr.           CB           5-10       170
Prince Smith, Jr., New Hampshire             So.          CB           5-10       181

SPECIAL TEAMS
Name, School                                                    Cl.           Pos.       Ht.          Wt.        Hometown/High School
Shane Simpson, Towson                              So.          RET         5-9          185
Griffin Trau, Richmond                                  Jr.           PK           5-8          180
John Hinchen, Villanova                                Sr.           P             5-11       185
Robert Carter, James Madison                   Jr.           SPEC      6-0          185