WEEVILS TABBED SEVENTH IN GAC PRESEASON POLL

Football GAC Coaches Poll

Connor McGinnis

MONTICELLO, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello football team was voted to finish seventh in the Great American Conference in the 2021 season according to the preseason coaches poll released by the league Tuesday.

The Weevils have not competed on the gridiron since 2019 since the 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19. During the 2019 season UAM posted a 5-6 record to finish sixth in the GAC.

Head Coach Hud Jackson enters his 11th year at the helm of the UAM football program. Coach Jackson is 34-65 as the head ball coach for the Weevils including an appearance in the Corsicana Bowl in 2018. UAM retained the majority of its coaching staff for the 2021 season with Associate Head Coach Marcus Hill, Offensive Coordinator Ryan Lusby, Defensive Coordinator Walker Ashburn, Linebackers Coach Jordan Frost-Dixon and Defensive Backs Coach Steve Wright all returning to Monticello. Coach Jackson also added a pair of new members to his coaching staff this fall including Wide Receivers Coach Tommy Feazell and Offensive Graduate Assistant Dallas Pruitt.

The Weevils return impact starters on the offensive and defensive side of the ball from the 2019 season. Offensively, the starting backfield stay intact with quarterback Demilon Brown and running back Devontae Dean. Brown earned the GAC Freshman of the Year award after leading UAM in passing and rushing in 2019 tallying more than 1,800 yards of total offense and 14 touchdowns. Dean handled the majority of the work out of the backfield rushing for 799 yards and nine touchdowns. The top two receiving threats also return for the Weevils in tight end DeAndre Washington and wide receiver C.J. Parham who combined for 1,201 receiving yards and 12 receiving touchdowns. UAM returns a pair of starters on the offensive line as well with senior Jackson Bray and sophomore Jacob Holland.

On defense, UAM brings back four members who played key roles during the 2019 season. Linebacker Justin Legier for his second season of action with the Weevils after finishing second on the team in total tackles (65) and tackles for loss (11.5) in 2019. In the defensive backfield Jonathan Scott, who led the team in pass break ups, and Chason Traylor are back on the field this season. Anchoring the defensive line for the Weevils will be returning starter Easton Seidl.

UAM kicks off the 2021 season at Willis “Convoy” Leslie Cotton Boll Stadium Thursday, September 2 against Southern Nazarene at 6 p.m.