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10:30 a.m., July 30, 2003--Jason Nerys, senior co-captain of the University of Delaware football team, has been named to The Sports Network’s preseason NCAA Division I-AA All-American team.

Nerys, a 6-foot 4-inch, 295-pound offensive guard, was selected to the honorable mention team.

He was one of 78 players selected first team, second team or honorable mention All-American, and one of eight players from Atlantic 10 Football Conference schools named to the teams.

A third-year standout on the offensive line and a starter in 20 straight games entering the season, Nerys also is a candidate for Verizon College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-American recognition as an honor student in exercise science with a minor in strength and conditioning. He is a three-time member of the Atlantic 10 All-Academic team.

Nerys, who will serve with Mike Adams as UD co-captain, was named second team All-Atlantic 10 in 2002, when he helped a young offense rank third in the Atlantic 10 in rushing (206.2 yards per game). The line allowed just 15 sacks, the second best mark in the league and lowest total for a UD team in more than a decade.

Nerys is one of four returning starters on the offensive line and one of nine returning offensive starters.

Other Atlantic 10 players honored on the preseason All-American team were:

First team:

Offensive lineman Joe Wilson of the University of Richmond, wide receiver Rich Musinski of the College of William & Mary and linebacker Renauld Williams of Hofstra University.

Second team:

Running back Marcus Williams of the University of Maine, defensive lineman Valdamar Brower of the University of Massachusetts and linebacker Liam Ezekiel of Northeastern University.

Honorable mention:

Nerys and tight end Matt Chila of Villanova University.

Also honored was Delaware State University kick return specialist DaShaun Morris, who was selected to the first team.