BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Darnell Deas and Omari Hill-Robinson have each been named to the 2023 Preseason All-Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) First Team for defense and special teams, announced Tuesday, June 24, by the league office at SWAC Media Day inside the Sheraton-Birmingham.
 
Omari Hill-Robinson, a fifth-year cornerback from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, earned All-SWAC First Team defensive honors in 2022, finishing the season tied for second in the league with four interceptions. That includes a 97-yard interception return for touchdown against Mississippi Valley State – the third-longest return in B-CU history. Hill-Robinson's five pass deflections were tied for the most on the team alongside Devuntray Hampton. He also managed 27 tackles (20 solo).
 
Darnell Deas, a rising junior from Pompano Beach, Florida, was tabbed a First Team All-SWAC performer last season on special teams. The Blanche Ely High alum returned 28 kicks in 2022, amassing 745 yards for an average of 26.6 yards per return, and adding a pair of touchdowns. He returned a kick 98 yards for a touchdown in a 45-35 win over Mississippi Valley State in Itta Bena, Mississippi. He also returned a kickoff 97 yards for score against Grambling State in the Wildcats' 36-19 victory in Daytona Beach.
 
Florida A&M quarterback Jeremy Moussa is the league's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Meanwhile, Grambling State's Sundiata Anderson earned Preseason Defensive Player of the Year accolades.
 
As a team, the Cats were predicted to finish sixth in the SWAC Eastern Division with 34 points.
 
Florida A&M received 16 first place votes with 116 points, with the Rattlers predicted to finish atop the Eastern Division. Southern (La.) received 13 first place votes and 122 points in being predicted to finish on top of the Western Division.
 
For a complete list of this year's All-SWAC Preseason Team(s), as well as the predicted order of finish, please visit SWAC.org.
 
Bethune-Cookman kicks off the season Saturday, September 2, at Football Bowl Subdivision opponent Memphis. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with kickoff set for 7 p.m. ET.
 
Season tickets for B-CU Football are available now at TicketMaster.com.
 
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