Grambling State QB Myles Crawley selected best in the SWAC in 2024 preseason poll

Although his team was picked to finish third in the SWAC’s West Division, Grambling State University quarterback Myles Crawley was tabbed Tuesday as the league’s Preseason Player of the Year, the conference announced.

Crawley was a solid player for the Tigers throughout the 2023 season — passing for 2,303 yards and 16 scores, while becoming the first Tiger quarterback to throw in excess of 2,000 yards since Devante Kincaid in 2017.

Entering their first season under coach Mickey Joseph, GSU was voted to finish behind Alcorn State and 2023 champion Prairie View A&M. Southern, Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Texas Southern followed GSU.

The Tigers were 5-6 overall, and 4-4 in the SWAC, last season but that got coach Hue Jackson relieved of his duties. GSU’s passing offense improved from 11th in the SWAC in 2022 to fifth last season under Jackson and Crawley. The Tigers’ offense improved from 10th to second in the SWAC.

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Also making the SWAC preseason first team was offensive lineman Tahj Martin, who was part of a group that allowed a SWAC fewest 15 sacks in 2023. GSU’s Javon Robinson, the 2023 Freshman of the Year, made the league’s second team.

Defending SWAC champ Florida A&M was picked second in the East behind Alabama State followed by Jackson State, Alabama A&M, Bethune-Cookman and Mississippi Valley State.

Jimmy Watson covers Louisiana sports him for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at jwatson@shreveporttimes.com and follow on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.

2024 SWAC Football Predicted Order of Finish

SWAC East

1. Alabama State- 114 points (11)

2. Florida A&M- 104 points (6)

3. Jackson State- 87 points (2)

4. Alabama A&M- 76 points (4)

5. Bethune-Cookman- 47 points

6. Mississippi Valley State- 31 points (1)

SWAC West

1. Alcorn State- 112 points (11)

2. Prairie View A&M- 104 points (8)

3. Grambling State- 72 points (4)

4. Southern- 70 points (1)

5. Arkansas-Pine Bluff- 61 points

6. Texas Southern- 40 points

*First place votes listed in parenthesis ( )

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Grambling slated to finish third in SWAC West; Crawley picked as POY