DURHAM, N.C. - North Carolina Central University senior defensive back
Khalil Baker and junior offensive lineman
Torricelli Simpkins III have been announced as members of Phil Steele's 2023 FCS Preseason All-America Team.
During the 2022 season, Baker (Winston-Salem, N.C.) topped the team with 61 tackles (43 solo), including 2.0 stops for a loss, while also recording five pass break-ups and recovering a fumble. Baker was named the 2022 MEAC Defensive Player of the Year and selected as the recipient of the inaugural Aeneas Williams Award winner. He was also announced as a member of the 2022 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) FCS Coaches' All-America Team and the Associated Press FCS All-America Team, earning First Team distinction as a defensive back and becoming the first NCCU Eagle to earn First Team All-America honors from the AFCA or the Associated Press on the NCAA Division I-FCS level.
Simpkins' (Charlotte, N.C.) 2022 season featured topping NCCU with an astonishing 81 pancake blocks, averaging 6.8 per game. In 2022, Simpkins earned All-MEAC First Team honors starting all 12 games at center for the No. 1 scoring offense and total offense in the MEAC. As a freshman, Simpkins was announced to the 2021 Phil Steele FCS All-MEAC Third Team.
Phil Steele's College Football Preview magazine also announced its Preseason All-MEAC Team. Baker claimed the publication's First Team recognition as a defensive back and Simpkins earned a First Team nod as an offensive lineman.
Other NCCU Eagles to capture preseason merit from Phil Steele are quarterback
Davius Richard (Sr., 6-3, 215, Belle Glade, Fla.), running back
Latrell Collier (R-Sr., 5-10, 200, Bluefield, W.Va.), wide receiver
Devin Smith (Jr., 5-10, 185, Durham, N.C.), wide receiver
Quentin McCall (Jr., 6-4, 195, Charlotte, N.C.), linebacker
Jaki Brevard (Jr., 6-0, 210, Durham, N.C.), kicker
Adrian Olivo (Sr., 5-10, 185, Plant City, Fla.), and punt returner
Brandon Codrington (Sr., 5-9, 180, Raleigh, N.C.) finished on the First Team.
Running back
J'Mari Taylor (Jr., 6-0, 200, Charlotte, N.C.), wide receiver
Andrew Smith (Jr., 6-1, 200, Cary, N.C.), offensive lineman
Da'Quan Thomas (R-Jr., 6-2, 275, West Palm Beach, Fla.), defensive lineman
Jaden Taylor (R-Jr., 6-1, 280, Durham, N.C.), defensive back
Manny Smith (R-Sr., 6-0, 195, Laurel Hill, N.C.), and punter
Juan Velarde (Jr., 5-10, 190, Anderson, S.C.) made the Second Team.
Defensive lineman
Christian Smith (Jr., 6-2, 275, Jacksonville, N.C.), linebacker
Max U'Ren (R-So., 6-2, 225, Winston-Salem, N.C.), defensive back
JaJuan Hudson (Sr., 5-10, 175, Camden, N.J.), and kick returner
Chris Mosley (R-Jr., 5-11, 180, Fort Worth, Texas) made the Third Team.
Tight end
Miles Campbell (R-So., 6-3, 240, Douglasville, Ga.), offensive lineman
Taron Williams (So., 6-8, 330, Charlotte, N.C.), defensive lineman
Quantez Mansfield (Sr., 6-2, 295, Greensboro, N.C.), defensive lineman
Thomas Johnson (So., 6-3, 235, Lawndale, Calif.), linebacker
Albert Redd (So., 6-2, 230, Kernersville, N.C.), defensive back
Jason Chambers (So., 6-0, 185, Charlotte, N.C.), defensive back
Brandon Codrington (Sr., 5-9, 180, Raleigh, N.C.), and defensive back
Kole Jones (Jr., 5-10, 190, Chesapeake, Va.) made the Fourth Team.
For a complete list of Phil Steele's 2023 Preseason FCS All-America Team and All-MEAC Team, visit https://philsteele.com/2023-phil-steele-draftscout-fcs-preseason-all-american-teams/
For more information about NCCU Football, visit NCCUEaglePride.com or download the NCCU Eagles Athletics app.
