Valparaiso University senior running back Jeff Horton (Saint Louis, Mo./Lutheran North H.S.) was named to The Sports Network's 2006 I-AA Mid-Major Preseason All-American Team on Thursday.

The Crusaders' 6'2", 185-pound running back is on the verge of becoming Valpo's career rushing leader. Horton enters the 2006 campaign with 2,168 total yards on the ground, needing just 158 yards to break the current rushing mark held by Joe Pahr (1949-1951).

Last season as a junior, Horton set the school's single record with 1,358 yards on 257 carries. He scored 13 total touchdowns, including ten on via the ground. His 123.5 yards per game on the ground ranked ninth in all of I-AA.

Valparaiso, 3-8 in 2005, will kickoff its 2006 season on September 2 with a 1 p.m. contest against Wisconsin Lutheran in Milwaukee, Wis.