NORFOLK, Va. (July 26, 2019) – The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) revealed its preseason teams where Howard University Football saw nine Bison recognized. Also, first-year head coach Ron Prince and his club were picked to finish fourth in the league. The announcement came Friday during the conference's media day and luncheon.
 
The teams were voted by the MEAC's football head coaches and sports information directors.
 
Among the recipients included seniors Marcellos Allison (All-MEAC Second Team), Kyle Anthony (All-MEAC First Team) and Jequez Ezzard (All-MEAC First Team), juniors Tye Freeland (All-MEAC Second Team), Malik Hyatt (All-MEAC Second Team), Caylin Newton (MEAC Preseason Player of the Year; All-MEAC First Team) and Aaron Walker (All-MEAC Third Team), redshirt sophomore Dedrick Parson (All-MEAC First Team [RB]; All-MEAC Third Team [RS]) and true sophomore Zamon Robinson (All-MEAC Second Team).
 
Newton (Atlanta) headlined the day after being selected MEAC Preseason Player of the Year. The reigning Player of the Year ended his sophomore campaign ranking among the nation's leaders in several categories, including passing yards per completion (1st/16.85) and total offense (7th/313.3). Newton completed his second season as the MEAC's top passer with 2,629 yards and 22 touchdowns in 10 games. In the season opener against Ohio (Sept. 1), he posted 532 total yards, which was the third-highest output in program history.
 
After becoming the second consecutive Bison to win the league's top rookie honor, Parson (Philadelphia) ranked among the conference leaders in several categories, including rushing yards (3rd), scoring (3rd) and all-purpose yards (6th). The Philadelphia native had two 100-yard games, including a season-best 149 in the home victory over Florida A&M (Nov. 3).
 
Anthony (Miramar, Fla.) and Ezzard (College Park, Ga.) gave defensive coordinators' nightmares as they took turns victimizing several secondaries throughout the year. Anthony led the conference in receptions per game (5.3) and finished third in receiving yards per game (65.9). Ezzard led the country in yards per reception (26.6), while setting a new school record for receiving yards in a game (223) at Ohio (Sept. 1).
 
Allison (Durham, N.C.) ended his junior campaign earning a spot on the All-MEAC Third Team as a linebacker. In league play, the North Carolina product ranked tied for seventh in tackles per game (7.0). On Oct. 20, he had a season-high 11 tackles in the road win at Morgan State. Two weeks later, the tackling machine recorded nine in the home victory against Florida A&M (Nov. 3).
 
Freeland (Petersburg, Va.) finished his second year with 66 tackles (49 solo) with two tackles for loss, 10 pass breakups, two INTs and a forced fumble. On Nov. 5, he was selected MEAC Defensive Player of the Week after recording 11 tackles (three solo) at Norfolk State (Nov. 10).
 
Hyatt (Gastonia, N.C.) played all 10 games and produced 127 receiving yards on six catches.  A year ago, the Tar Heel native racked up 73 yards on three balls versus Bryant (Nov. 17).
 
Robinson (Silver Spring, Md.) totaled 32 tackles (22 solo) and a team-leading 5.5 sacks. On Oct. 24, he won MEAC Rookie of the Week for his eight-tackle performance at Morgan State (Oct. 20).
 
Walker was limited to six contests a year ago but tallied 32 tackles (22 solo). The D.C. product had his best game versus South Carolina State (Oct. 27) where he posted seven tackles (five solo), including a pair of tackles for loss.
 
Delaware State's linebacker Brian Cavicante was selected MEAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year while North Carolina A&T State was picked as the conference's preseason favorite.
 
To view the 2019 MEAC Preseason Football All-Conference Teams, please click here.
 
On Aug. 31, the Coach Prince era begins at FBS foe Maryland. Kickoff is set for noon on the Big Ten Network.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com or the MEAC website at www.meacsports.com.