Trio Named to Optimum Scouting Preseason All-Conference Team

CHARLESTON, S.C. – A trio of Buccaneers have earned preseason all-conference honors from the Optimum Scouting Group, it was announced late Thursday night. Junior defensive back Charles James added to his impressive list of preseason honors by being named to the first team, while redshirt-junior offensive lineman James Nicholson was named to the second team, as was senior kicker/punter Andy Brown.

James has already been named a preseason All-American by the Consensus Draft Services, as well as Sporting News, and was named to the CFPA Defensive Back Award watch list.  Last season, James tied the single-season record at CSU and finished third in the nation with six interceptions, earning AP All-American and first team All-Big South honors. He broke the school record with three interceptions in a game against Liberty and was the Big South Defensive Player of the Week once. He defended 17 passes on the season, six more than anyone else on the team.

Nicholson started and played all 11 games at right tackle for CSU last season, giving the Bucs consistency as one of five offensive linemen who started every game over the course of the season. Nicholson and the line helped CSU rush for more than 1,000 yards as a team. He also serves as one of the team’s SAAC representatives and was named the SAAC representative of the year.

Brown served as the starting punter and took over the place kicking duties last season, finishing the year a perfect 19-19 on PAT attempts, and making his only field goal attempt from 43 yards out. He punted 59 times for a total of 2,013 yards (34.1 avg.) and had a punt of 50 yards or more in four games with a season-long 54-yarder against Gardner-Webb.

A full list of the 2011 preseason all-conference teams, as named by the Optimum Scouting Group, can be found at: http://optimumscouting.com/draft/articles/fcs-all-conference-teams-big-south-swac-southern-and-meac.html