James Madison preseason favorite in Sun Belt East Division

Published Jul. 24, 2023 at 4:11 PM
NEW ORLEANS (WHSV) - The James Madison football program has been picked as the preseason favorite to finish first in the Sun Belt Conference’s East Division, the conference announced on Monday.
In its inaugural season in the Sun Belt, JMU finished atop the East Division. However, the Dukes could not play in the Sun Belt Championship game since JMU was still in the NCAA transition period from an FCS to FBS program.
The preseason poll featured four first-place votes for JMU. Appalachian State also received four first place votes. Coastal Carolina had three votes while Marshall had two and Georgia Southern had one.
Troy, the defending champions of the Sun Belt, was picked to finish first in the Sun Belt West Division.
Kidwell, Carpenter, Hanson notables receiving All-Sun Belt honors
JMU offensive lineman Nick Kidwell, defensive lineman James Carpenter, and punter Ryan Hanson were among four Dukes to receive All-Sun Belt selections.
Kidwell and Carpenter were each named to the Sun Belt First Team on offense and defense respectively. Kidwell is entering his fourth straight season as a starter on the JMU offensive line. Carpenter started all 11 games for JMU in 2022, recording 52 total tackles with 11.5 for a loss, 5.5 sacks and three pass breakups. For Hanson, he averaged 43.7 yards per punt on 48 attempts.
Linebacker Taurus Jones was another JMU player receiving recognition. Jones was named Second-Team All-Sun Belt. He led JMU with 82 tackles in 2022.
You can view the preseason polls and awards released by the Sun Belt below.
East Division
James Madison – 78 points (4)
App State – 75 points (4)
Coastal Carolina – 71 points (3)
Marshall – 68 points (2)
Georgia Southern – 52 (1)
Georgia State – 31
Old Dominion – 17
West Division
Troy – 92 points (10)
South Alabama – 85 points (4)
Louisiana – 64 points
Southern Miss – 62 points
Texas State – 36 points
Arkansas State – 33 points
ULM – 20 points