With football season just a little more than a month away, Morehead State is gearing up for what could be a very special season. With a plethora of returning talent, the Eagle program has landed six Preseason All-PFL selections, honoring five different players.
Wideout BJ Byrd earned a spot as one of the league's top wide receivers and was tabbed the best all-purpose athlete as well. Also honored on offense were quarterback Mark Pappas and lineman Cam Marriott. Defensive awards went to lineman Vaughn Taylor, Jr., and linebacker Vincent Winey.
The six selections represented the second-high total of the PFL schools, while the Eagles led the league with four offensive spots.
Morehead State opens the 2021 campaign on Sept. 4 at James Madison. The home opener is Sept. 11 against Union (Ky.).
Byrd, a Jacksonville University transfer, finished as the PFL leader in receiving touchdowns with eight during the spring 2021 ledger, scoring with 54 points, kick return touchdowns with one, and total touchdowns with nine. He was a First-Team All-PFL honoree. Byrd also made the All-PFL Second-Team as an all-purpose player. The Richmond, Calif., native racked up 734 all-purpose yards on the season. Byrd was also named the PFL Co-Special Teams Player of the Week after his performance against Butler at home. He was named Second-Team Academic All-PFL too.
Pappas, from Avon Lake, Ohio, led the PFL in five statistical categories including passing efficiency (134.6), passing touchdowns (14), and passing yards (1,568). He completed 62 percent of his passes and recorded 17 total touchdowns while earning First-Team All-PFL. He also had five games where he accounted for at least three total touchdowns. He enters the 2021 campaign with 3,553 career passing yards and 30 touchdowns.
Marriott, from Redlands, Calif., blocked for a unit that generated 335 yards on offense per game in PFL contests in the spring. He started all seven games this season, shifting around on the line and seeing time at center as well. In addition, Marriott was named First-Team All-PFL and First-Team Academic All-PFL.
Taylor, Jr., finished the shortened season with 32 total tackles with 14 of them being solo and 10 for losses. The Washington, D.C., native led the team in sacks with five. He also totaled four quarterback hurries and two pass break-ups leading him to his unanimous and second career First-Team All-PFL selection. He heads into his final season with 37 career tackles for loss.
Winey, a native of Lindenhurst, N.Y., led Morehead State with 84 total tackles with 41 of them being solo and seven for loss in the spring. He ranked second in the league in total tackles. The senior also forced and recovered a fumble. Winey was named PFL Defensive Player of the Week after his program single-game record performance, 23 total tackles, against Butler at home.
