Four Bucs named to Big South preseason all-conference team

Senior linebacker Bowe Butler

CHARLOTTE, NC - Four Charleston Southern football players were selected to the Big South preseason all-conference football team for the 2004 season, it was announced by the league at Friday afternoon's football media luncheon.

Senior linebacker Bowe Butler heads up the group of Buccaneers that were selected, joined by senior defensive back Kijana Thomas, senior offensive guard Bryce Gregory and junior defensive end Adam DeGraffenreid.

Butler returns for his fourth season as a starter on CSU's defense this season, closing in on 200 career tackles. The 6-1, 215-pounder is CSU's leading returning tackler with 86 tackles last season.

Thomas is considered one of the top cornerbacks in the conference and is also one of the top kick returners in the league. Thomas had 46 tackles and three interceptions last season.

Gregory returns as CSU's leader on the offensive line with the capabilities of playing guard or center. He will be starting for the fourth consecutive year and was a first-team all-conference selection in the Big South after the 2003 season.

DeGraffenreid is a first-year player at Charleston Southern, having transferred to the school in January. He immediately made his mark on the CSU defensive front during spring practice and already has established himself as a team leader, according to the CSU coaching staff.

Charleston Southern, as a team, was picked fifth in a preseason poll of coaches and media. The Buccaneers are coming off a 1-11 campaign in 2003.

CSU opens preseason practice on August 4th.