JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Aug. 2, 2024) – The preseason accolades for the ETSU football team continue to roll in ahead of the 2024 season. On Friday, eight Buccaneers were named to various Preseason All-SoCon teams by Phil Steele. The eight players honored were Luke Smith (1^st Team), William McRainey (1^st Team), Chris Hope (1^st Team), Nate Brackett (2^nd Team), Bryson Irby (3^rd Team), Justin Franklin (3^rd Team), Jonathan Burns (3^rd Team), and Jaylen George (3^rd Team).

Smith, who was named to the Preseason All-SoCon First Team at the conference's media day last month, continues to add to his list of accolades with this honor. Smith was a key cog in the offensive line in 2023 as he played in and started all 11 games at center for the Bucs. Smith helped open holes for ETSU's running game that was arguably the strength of the 2023 team as the Bucs ran for over 100 yards in seven of the 11 games in 2023 and topped the 200-yard mark four times. One of those 200-plus yard rushing days came on November 4 against VMI where the Bucs ran for 286 yards and three scores. For his play all season long, Smith landed a spot on the All-SoCon Second Team. 

McRainey will be entering his first season as a Buc in 2024. McRainey has already been named a Preseason All-American by both FCS Football Central and Stats Perform FCS ahead of his first season with the Blue & Gold. McRainey comes to ETSU after transferring from Gardner-Webb. The Shallotte, N.C. native played in 39 games for the Runnin' Bulldogs and racked up 329 tackles, 29.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, two interceptions, forced four fumbles and recovered four more. He landed All-American honors by The Bluebloods and as a nominee for the William V. Campbell Trophy that goes to the college football player that has the best combination of academics, community service and on-field performance last season. McRainey also excelled in the classroom by being named an Academic All-American in 2022 by CoSIDA. Last season, McRainey totaled 100 tackles (eight for loss), one sack, one interception, three quarterback hurries and broke up four passes.
 
Like Smith, Hope picks up his second Preseason All-SoCon honor recently as he too was honored at the league's media day with a first team nod. Hope, who was an All-SoCon Second Team pick by the media in 2023, started all 11 games for the Bucs in 2023. The Buccaneer defensive back led the team with 94 tackles, while adding 2.5 tackles for loss, a half sack and five pass break-ups. Hope posted four games with double-digit tackles and totaled a career-high 12 tackles against Jacksonville State and Western Carolina. Hope also totaled six tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a half sack versus Mercer and picked up eight solo tackles against Samford. The senior safety ranked 11th nationally in solo tackles per game (5.6) and 39th in total tackles per game (8.5).
 
Brackett adds another Preseason All-SoCon honor after establishing himself as one of the top punters in the SoCon in 2023. Brackett totaled 47 punts on the 2023 season and averaged 43.37 yards per attempt. Four of those punts were touchbacks and Brackett pinned the opponents inside the 20-yard line 21 times. Brackett recorded a new career-long 70-yard punt in a victory over Carson-Newman on September 9, which ranked as the 15th-longest at the FCS level in 2023. Thirteen of his punts went 50 yards or more. He finished the season ranked 14th nationally in punt average (43.37). For his play last season, Brackett was named to the All-SoCon First Team by the league's coaches. Additionally, he was named the SoCon Student-Athlete of the Week on September 13.
 
Irby was ETSU's leading rusher in 2023. In nine games, Irby had a team-high 108 carries and racked up 531 rushing yards. Irby also caught four passes for 46 yards (11.5 yards per catch). He averaged 4.9 yards per carry in 2023 and ripped off a 70-yard run at Samford on September 30. The Douglasville, Georgia native ran for a team-high five touchdowns on the season. Three of those five scores came in that matchup at Samford in late September. His other rushing touchdowns came vs. Carson-Newman on September 9 and against Wofford on October 14. Irby surpassed 100 yards rushing twice during his junior campaign with those outings coming against Samford (126 yards) and Wofford (137 yards).
 
Franklin is a transfer from Gardner-Webb where he played from 2021-23. He helped GWU win back-to-back conference titles. In 2023, Franklin played in 14 games and hauled in 40 receptions for 633 yards and four touchdowns. He also had four rushing attempts for 45 yards and completed a pair of passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns. As a freshman in 2021, Franklin appeared in 11 games and totaled 37 catches for 562 yards and four touchdowns. Franklin was Gardner-Webb's leading receiver in 2021 and caught at least one pass in all 11 games. Franklin was a Preseason All-Big South selection by coaches and media prior to the 2022 season.
 
Burns is another transfer from Gardner-Webb where he played from 2021-23. In 2023, Burns played in 10 games and posted 23 receptions for 182 yards and one touchdown. One of his best outings was a nine-catch, 62-yard day against Elon. He played in all 13 games in 2022 where he caught 17 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns. Burns was named Big South Freshman of the Week on October 31, 2022.
 
George was a key member of ETSU's defensive line in 2023 playing in and starting all 11 games. He totaled 21 tackles with 3.5 of those stops being behind the line of scrimmage. George also had 2.5 sacks, which was second on the team. In pressuring the quarterback, George picked up five quarterback hurries as well. He had a season-high four total tackles in the victory over The Citadel in the season finale and picked up half a sack in back-to-back games against Mercer and Wofford. Tallied 1.5 sacks in the season finale win over The Citadel. For his play all season long, George landed a spot on the All-SoCon Freshman Team. 

The Bucs will open the 2024 season at Appalachian State on August 31. ETSU's home opener is set for September 7 vs. UVA Wise from Bank of Tennessee Field at William B. Greene Jr. Stadium. Season tickets for the 2024 season are on sale now. Visit etsutickets.com for more information and/or to purchase today.

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