Lehigh University Athletics
DeNucci, Jamiel Named Preseason All-League As Patriot League Announces Preseason Honors
7/25/2023 10:03:00 AM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh senior linebacker Mike DeNucci and sophomore wide receiver Geoffrey Jamiel have been selected to the Preseason All-Patriot League football team announced Tuesday. Both players earn preseason recognition after garnering postseason honors from the league following the 2022 campaign.
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The Mountain Hawks, under the direction of first-year head coach Kevin Cahill, were picked fifth in the preseason poll, garnering 32 points.
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The Preseason All-Patriot League team, major awards and poll are voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.
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DeNucci was a second team All-Patriot League performer a season ago. He registered 93 tackles, including 16.5 for loss, and 8.5 sacks in 2022, leading Lehigh in all three categories. DeNucci won a Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week award in late September and was a midseason addition to the Watch List for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the top defensive player in the FCS.
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Jamiel was Lehigh's top receiver during the 2022 season, which was capped with Patriot League Rookie of the Year honors. The third Lehigh football player to win the league's Rookie of the Year award, Jamiel hauled in 53 passes for 649 yards and a touchdown. A two-time Patriot League Rookie of the Week, Jamiel had at least three receptions in all 11 of Lehigh's games a season ago.
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Four-time defending champion Holy Cross tops the preseason poll with 72 points and 12 first place votes. Fordham was picked second with 62 points and the other two first place votes. Colgate was picked third, followed by Lafayette and Lehigh. Bucknell and Georgetown tied for sixth place.
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Lehigh opens preseason camp next week and will open the 2023 campaign against Villanova at Goodman Stadium on Saturday, September 2. Season and single game tickets are currently on sale, along with mini-plans, and can be purchased at LehighTickets.com.
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2023 Patriot League Football Preseason Poll
1. Holy Cross, 72 points (12 first-place votes)
2. Fordham, 62 (2)
3. Colgate, 51
4. Lafayette, 39
5. Lehigh, 32
6T. Bucknell, 19
6T. Georgetown, 19
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2023 Patriot League Football Preseason Major Awards
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year – Matthew Sluka, Holy Cross, Sr., QB
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year – Jacob Dobbs, Holy Cross, 5th, LB
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2023 Patriot League Football Preseason All-League Team
OFFENSE (15)*
QB: Matthew Sluka, Holy Cross, Sr.
QB: Michael Brescia, Colgate, Jr. (at-large)
RB: Julius Loughridge, Fordham, Jr.
RB: Jordan Fuller, Holy Cross, Jr.
WR: Jalen Coker, Holy Cross, Sr.
WR: MJ Wright, Fordham, Gr.
WR: Mekai Felton, Fordham, Sr.
WR: Geoffrey Jamiel, Lehigh, So.
TE: Sean Morris, Holy Cross, 5th
TE: Mason Gilbert, Lafayette, Sr.
OL: Bardhyl Gashi, Colgate, Sr.
OL: Luke Newman, Holy Cross, Sr.
OL: Eric Schon, Holy Cross, Sr.
OL: C.J. Hanson, Holy Cross, 5th
OL: Lucas Portes, Fordham, Sr.
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DEFENSE (14)*
DL: Tyler Alston, Bucknell, Sr.
DL: Matt Jaworski, Fordham, Jr.
DL: Ibri Harrell, Georgetown, So.
DL: Mateen Ibirogba, Georgetown, So.
LB: Tyler Flick, Colgate, 5th
LB: James Conway, Fordham, Jr.
LB: Jacob Dobbs, Holy Cross, 5th
LB: Marco Olivas, Lafayette, 5th
LB: Mike DeNucci, Lehigh, Sr.
DB: Owen Goss, Colgate, Sr.
DB: Devin Haskins, Holy Cross, 5th
DB: Wedner Cadet, Georgetown, So.
DB: Stephen Williams II, Fordham, Gr.
DB: Saiku White, Lafayette, Jr.
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SPECIAL TEAMS (4)
PK: Matt Schearer, Bucknell, So.
P: Shelby Pruett, Colgate, Jr.
Return Specialist: Justin Shorter, Holy Cross, Jr.
Special Teams Non-Specialist: Devin Haskins, Holy Cross, 5th
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*Denotes additional players selected to offense and defense due to ties in voting
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Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
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The Mountain Hawks, under the direction of first-year head coach Kevin Cahill, were picked fifth in the preseason poll, garnering 32 points.
Â
The Preseason All-Patriot League team, major awards and poll are voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.
Â
DeNucci was a second team All-Patriot League performer a season ago. He registered 93 tackles, including 16.5 for loss, and 8.5 sacks in 2022, leading Lehigh in all three categories. DeNucci won a Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week award in late September and was a midseason addition to the Watch List for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the top defensive player in the FCS.
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Jamiel was Lehigh's top receiver during the 2022 season, which was capped with Patriot League Rookie of the Year honors. The third Lehigh football player to win the league's Rookie of the Year award, Jamiel hauled in 53 passes for 649 yards and a touchdown. A two-time Patriot League Rookie of the Week, Jamiel had at least three receptions in all 11 of Lehigh's games a season ago.
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Four-time defending champion Holy Cross tops the preseason poll with 72 points and 12 first place votes. Fordham was picked second with 62 points and the other two first place votes. Colgate was picked third, followed by Lafayette and Lehigh. Bucknell and Georgetown tied for sixth place.
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Lehigh opens preseason camp next week and will open the 2023 campaign against Villanova at Goodman Stadium on Saturday, September 2. Season and single game tickets are currently on sale, along with mini-plans, and can be purchased at LehighTickets.com.
Â
2023 Patriot League Football Preseason Poll
1. Holy Cross, 72 points (12 first-place votes)
2. Fordham, 62 (2)
3. Colgate, 51
4. Lafayette, 39
5. Lehigh, 32
6T. Bucknell, 19
6T. Georgetown, 19
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2023 Patriot League Football Preseason Major Awards
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year – Matthew Sluka, Holy Cross, Sr., QB
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year – Jacob Dobbs, Holy Cross, 5th, LB
Â
2023 Patriot League Football Preseason All-League Team
OFFENSE (15)*
QB: Matthew Sluka, Holy Cross, Sr.
QB: Michael Brescia, Colgate, Jr. (at-large)
RB: Julius Loughridge, Fordham, Jr.
RB: Jordan Fuller, Holy Cross, Jr.
WR: Jalen Coker, Holy Cross, Sr.
WR: MJ Wright, Fordham, Gr.
WR: Mekai Felton, Fordham, Sr.
WR: Geoffrey Jamiel, Lehigh, So.
TE: Sean Morris, Holy Cross, 5th
TE: Mason Gilbert, Lafayette, Sr.
OL: Bardhyl Gashi, Colgate, Sr.
OL: Luke Newman, Holy Cross, Sr.
OL: Eric Schon, Holy Cross, Sr.
OL: C.J. Hanson, Holy Cross, 5th
OL: Lucas Portes, Fordham, Sr.
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DEFENSE (14)*
DL: Tyler Alston, Bucknell, Sr.
DL: Matt Jaworski, Fordham, Jr.
DL: Ibri Harrell, Georgetown, So.
DL: Mateen Ibirogba, Georgetown, So.
LB: Tyler Flick, Colgate, 5th
LB: James Conway, Fordham, Jr.
LB: Jacob Dobbs, Holy Cross, 5th
LB: Marco Olivas, Lafayette, 5th
LB: Mike DeNucci, Lehigh, Sr.
DB: Owen Goss, Colgate, Sr.
DB: Devin Haskins, Holy Cross, 5th
DB: Wedner Cadet, Georgetown, So.
DB: Stephen Williams II, Fordham, Gr.
DB: Saiku White, Lafayette, Jr.
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SPECIAL TEAMS (4)
PK: Matt Schearer, Bucknell, So.
P: Shelby Pruett, Colgate, Jr.
Return Specialist: Justin Shorter, Holy Cross, Jr.
Special Teams Non-Specialist: Devin Haskins, Holy Cross, 5th
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*Denotes additional players selected to offense and defense due to ties in voting
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Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
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