Nine members of the Valparaiso University football program were recognized this week as the annual Phil Steele Preseason All-Pioneer Football League teams were announced.

Three Beacons achieved First Team status, all specialists as Valpo boasted half of the honorees in the special teams category. Senior kicker Brian Bartholomew (Sugar Grove, Ill. / Kaneland), sophomore punt returner Josh Becton (Kansas City, Kan. / F.L. Schlagle) and junior kick returner Chuck Maxwell (Elkhart, Ind. / Elkhart Christian Academy) were all recognized on the first team.

Senior offensive lineman Aaron Byrd (Bradley, Ill. / Bourbonnais) and junior linebacker Evan Annis (Hilliard, Ohio / Hilliard Davidson) were named to the Phil Steele Preseason All-PFL Second Team, while junior wide receiver Braden Contreras (Hillsdale, Ill. / Hinsdale Central), junior offensive lineman Drew Parrish (New Lenox, Ill. / Lincoln Way Central), junior defensive lineman Kurt Kessen (Shelby Township, Mich. / Utica) and junior defensive back Keyon Turner (Chicago, Ill. / Marist) were tabbed to the third team.

Barthlomew, also a Preseason All-PFL choice, was an All-PFL First Team selection last season while also earning Phil Steele All-PFL First Team honors. He was named the PFL Special Teams Player of the Week on Nov. 6. Last season marked Bartholomew’s second straight All-PFL First Team nod, as he also earned that recognition in Spring 2021, when he was named the team’s Most-Improved Player as well.

Maxwell, one of three Valpo players named to the league’s preseason all-conference team, was tabbed All-PFL Second Team each of the last two seasons and was Phil Steele All-PFL First Team last fall. He was named a Freshman All-American by HERO Sports following the Spring 2021 campaign. That season, Maxwell finished as the national leader in kickoff return average at 29.8 yards per return. In Fall 2021, he ranked 13^th nationally in total kick return yards and 22^nd in kickoff return average while leading the league in both total kickoff return yards (599) and kickoff return average (24.96).

Becton was selected to the Phil Steele All-PFL Third Team last year. He had 12 punt returns for 85 yards and seven kickoff returns for 120 yards.

Also a Preseason All-PFL choice from the league office, Byrd was named All-PFL Honorable Mention each of the last two seasons while also earning All-PFL Second Team in each of those years. Furthermore, Byrd was named the Sever Award winner in both Spring 2021 and Fall 2021 as that award is bestowed upon the team’s top offensive lineman. The leader of Valpo’s offensive line, Byrd was also named to the Phil Steele All-PFL Fourth Team in Fall 2021.

Annis was named All-PFL Honorable Mention last fall after earning All-PFL Second Team honors during the Spring 2021 campaign. He was named to the Academic All-PFL First Team each of the last two seasons and won the team’s Koenig Award for outstanding sportsmanship and character in Spring 2021.

Contreras has been a key part of the Valpo receiving corps each of the last two seasons, boasting a season-high 118 receiving yards this past fall vs. Dayton. During the Spring 2021 campaign, he made a memorable 9-yard touchdown catch to give Valpo the lead with 21 seconds remaining in a 20-19 victory over San Diego.

Parrish has been recognized on the Academic All-PFL First Team each of the last two seasons. Kessen was named the team’s Most-Improved Player and was an Academic All-PFL First Team pick last fall. Turner received a slew of honors following the Spring 2021 season, when he was the outright national leader in takeaways with four interceptions and two fumble recoveries. He was the lone freshman named to the All-PFL First Team, was a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award (FCS National Freshman of the Year) and was selected as a HERO Sports Freshman All-American.

Valpo kicks off the 2022 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 3 vs. Indiana Wesleyan at 6 p.m. at Brown Field.