A pair of Valparaiso University football players earned recognition on Wednesday as redshirt senior wide receiver Solomon Davis (Brighton, Tenn. / Brighton) and sophomore tight end Evan Jernegan (Altadena, Calif. / St. Francis) were named to the Preseason All-Pioneer Football League Team.

Davis was named to the All-PFL First Team last season after hauling in 43 receptions for 748 yards and four touchdowns. He ranked ninth in the PFL with 3.58 receptions per game, fifth at 62.33 receiving yards per game, fifth in yards per catch at 17.4 and fifth in total receptions with 43. He finished second in the league in total receiving yards as part of a breakout season.

Jernegan burst onto the scene as a redshirt freshman last season, earning All-PFL Honorable Mention status. He had 15 catches for 241 yards and two touchdowns.

Davis also earned Phil Steele Preseason All-PFL First Team last week, while Jernegan was tabbed to the Phil Steele Preseason All-PFL Second Team.

Fall training camp is underway as the Beacons prepare for the Aug. 31 season opener at Youngstown State.

2023 Preseason All-Pioneer Football League Team

(as selected by PFL head coaches)

Pos. Player School Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown

OFFENSE

WR Solomon Davis (1) Valparaiso 6-1 180 RSr. Brighton, Tenn.

WR Dominic Kibby (2) Presbyterian 6-1 175 So. Catsonville, Md.

WR Andrew McElroy (1) St. Thomas 6-3 184 Jr. Bolingbrook, Ill.

QB Bret Bushka (1, PotY) Butler 5-9 200 RSr. Lombard, Ill.

RB James Louis (2) Morehead State 5-8 185 Jr. Hillside, N.J.

RB Shawn Shipman (2) St. Thomas 6-0 204 Jr. Brooklyn Park, Minn.

FB Eli Stewart (H) Drake 6-2 228 Blue Springs, Mo.

A-P Re-al Mitchell (1) San Diego 6-0 210 RSr. Eastvale, Calif.

TE Evan Jernegan (H) Valparaiso 6-1 225 RSo.. Altadena, Calif.

OL Gilbert Deglau (2) Davidson 6-5 285 Sr. Richmond, Va.

OL Beck Kipperman (2) Davidson 6-3 270 Sr. Round Rock, Texas

OL Alec Rasmussen (2) St. Thomas 6-7 299 Jr. Wayzata, Minn.

OL Jimmy Poremba (2) Drake 6-3 290  Wildwood, Ill.

OL David Tkatch (1) Dayton 6-2 291 Harmony, Pa.

DEFENSE

DL Will Buck (2) San Diego 6-0 285 RSr. Sacramento, Calif.

DL Finn Claypool (1, FRotY) Drake 6-1 240 RSo. Des Moines, Iowa

DL Jonathan Hammond (2) Davidson 6-3 225 Sr. Dunwoody, Ga.

DL Sam Schadek (1) Dayton 6-3 270 Columbus, Ohio

LB Mike Arrington (1) Marist 6-0 213 Grad. Ashburn, Va.

LB Nate Arthur (2) Dayton 5-11 222 Cincinnati, Ohio

LB Jonathan Bunce (1) St. Thomas 6-3 239 Jr. Edina, Minn.

LB Chase Lyons (2) San Diego 6-4 225 Sr. Aurora, Colo.

DB Rassie Littlejohn (1) Stetson 6-1 173 RSr. Gainesville, Ga.

DB Yusef Leak (2) St. Thomas 6-0 178 Jr. Orlando, Fla.

DB Cole Hildebrand (H) Dayton 6-4 194 RJr. Cincinnati, Ohio

DB Cooper Krezek (H) Morehead State 6-0 200 RJr. Kansas City, Mo.

SPECIAL TEAMS

PK Luka Zurak (1, PotY) Butler 6-0 188 RSr. Cleveland, Ohio

P Luka Zurak (1, PotY) Butler 6-0 188 RSr. Cleveland, Ohio

RS Andrew McElroy (2) St. Thomas 6-3 184 So. Bolingbrook, Ill.

LS Justin Iaccio (1) Marist 6-0 208 RSr. Mullica Hill, N.J.

Previous season’s honor(s) received in parentheses: 1 – First Team All-PFL selection; 2 – Second Team All-PFL selection; H – Honorable Mention

selection; PotY – was a Player of the Year honoree (Offense, Defense, or Special Teams); FRotY – Freshman of the Year honoree (Offense of

Defense).