The Youngstown State football team had three players named preseason first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference the league announced on Tuesday morning. Additionally, YSU had two preseason second-team and three preseason honorable-mention All-MVFC honorees.
Earning first-team laurels were wide receiver Bryce Oliver, defensive end Dylan Wudke and offensive tackle Jaison Williams. Following the 2022 season, Oliver was a first-team All-MVFC pick, Wudke was a second-team selection and Williams was an honorable-mention honoree.
Oliver enters the season tied for third in school history with 18 career touchdown receptions. Wudke finished third on the squad a year ago with 43 tackles and posted a team-high five sacks. Williams has started 27 games in his Penguins career and been a two-time All-MVFC Honorable-Mention honoree.
Defensive tackle Chris Fitzgerald and long snapper Sam Merryman were named to the preseason second team while fullback/tight end Jake Benio, linebacker Greg Benton and defensive back Quincy Lenton were tabbed preseason honorable-mention.
In the team preseason poll, the Guins were picked to finish sixth in the strong 11-team league. Defending National Champion South Dakota State was a near unanimous pick to win the conference title receiving 44 of 45 first-place votes among completed ballots. North Dakota State was picked second, UNI third, North Dakota fourth and Southern Illinois was fifth ahead of YSU. The Penguins play the Jackrabbits and Salukis at home and visit the Panthers in late September.
