Above photo: UMHB linebacker Durand Hill added to his list of preseason accolades on Monday, when the ASC released its 2024 preseason honors (Photo by Russell Marwitz/russellmarwitz.com)
The American Southwest Conference released its 2024 Football Preseason Poll on Monday afternoon, with Hardin-Simmons notably taking the top spot, just ahead of Mary Hardin-Baylor. HSU, who was ranked No. 16 in D3football.com’s National Preseason Poll, earned 29 points from the panel of ASC head coaches and sports information directors, aided by five first-place votes. UMHB garnered 26 points, taking the remainder of the first-place votes, with three.
This year’s edition of the conference’s preseason poll was the smallest in the ASC’s history, as the league has only four teams in action this fall: HSU, UMHB, Howard Payne, and East Texas Baptist.
The gap between the top two and the bottom two in the preseason poll was evident, as 12 points separated No. 2 UMHB from No. 3 HPU, who had 14 points. ETBU rounded out the four-team ranking with 11 points.
ASC Football Preseason Poll (Total Points in parentheses)
- Hardin-Simmons (29)
- Mary Hardin-Baylor (26)
- Howard Payne (14)
- East Texas Baptist (11)
Along with the release of the preseason poll came the announcement of the league’s preseason superlatives. UMHB linebacker Durand Hill, a D3football.com Preseason All-America selection, was named the ASC’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.
An accomplished contributor to UMHB’s defense, the native of Buda, Texas has 225 total tackles in his collegiate career, and led The Cru with 10.5 tackles for loss in 2023. Hill, who is entering his senior year, also recorded two interceptions, four pass breakups, and 2.0 sacks last fall, earning First Team All-Region recognition from D3football.com. He was also the Crusaders’ lone representative on the ASC’s 2024 Players to Watch List.
Hardin-Simmons claimed the league’s preseason offensive and special teams player of the year honors, with Cowboys running back Noah Garcia taking the offensive accolade, and returner Dameon Gomes being selected for the special teams honor.
