North Carolina Central cornerback Davanta Reynolds and the North Carolina A&T State duo of Franklin “Mac” McCain III and defensive end Darryl Johnson, Jr. were announced as members of the STATS FCS Preseason All-America Team.
 
Reynolds received second-team recognition coming off a spectacular junior campaign. He was voted First-Team All-MEAC, named Associated Press FCS All-American as a member of the Third Team, and announced to 11th annual BOXTOROW All-America Team, honoring the top 29 players in HBCU football.
 
Last year Reynolds tied for second in the nation (FCS) with a conference-high six interceptions for 141 return yards and a touchdown (31-yard TD), while also returning a fumble 85 yards for a touchdown (featured on ESPN Top-10 Plays). The safety tallied 54 tackles (35 solo), including 2.5 stops for a loss with a sack, along with a forced fumble and a pass break-up.
 
On Friday (July 27), Reynolds was announced by the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference as the Preseason MEAC Defensive Player of the Year and a member of the Preseason All-MEAC First Team.
 
Reynolds was also recognized on the HBCU Gameday Preseason FCS All-America Team.
 
McCain and Johnson were a part of one of the best defenses in the nation last season as N.C. A&T (12-0) finished 2017 as the only undefeated Football Championship Subdivision team in the nation.

McCain earned first-team preseason All-MEAC honors, recently. The 2017 season saw him earn third-team All-American honors from the Associated Press. He also earned Freshman All-American honors from Phil Steele Magazine.  He intercepted six passes and returned three of those INTs for touchdowns last season.

Johnson had a breakout 2017 season and was also recently named first-team preseason All-MEAC. Johnson earned second-team All-American honors from the American Football Coaches Association and first-team honors from BoxToRow. He made 40 tackles (25 unassisted), 15.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

N.C. A&T’s defense ranked fourth in the nation while also ranking third in scoring defense, fifth in rushing defense and fourth in team passing efficiency defense nationally. They also allowed the second-fewest first downs in the nation.