Stetson University senior linebacker Jeb Boudreaux, who led the Pioneer Football League in total tackles during the 2016 season, was named to the preseason All-PFL team for 2017.
 
Boudreaux, a native of Mobile, Ala., is one of just 10 seniors returning for Stetson this fall. He led the league with 116 tackles last year, dethroning former teammate Donald Payne and preventing the three-time PFL Defensive Player of the Year from leading the league four times.
 
Boudreaux was second to Payne in tackles per game last fall and was also second in the league, behind Jonathan Petersen of San Diego, in both tackles for loss per game (1.73) and total TFL (19.0).
 
While the Hatters have plenty of holes to fill going into the 2017 season, Boudreaux is one of nine returning players on defense with starting experience. Stetson also has six players back with starting experience on the offensive side of the ball, but the Hatters will have new players manning all of the special teams positions.
 
Defending PFL champion San Diego shared the mark for the most selections to the preseason team with Marist, both placing seven players on the team. The Toreros were also tabbed in voting by the league's coaches to be the favorites to win the league, the seventh consecutive year USD has earned that honor.
 
Perennial contender Dayton was the only other team to receive first place votes and was picked to finish second, with Marist third. The Hatters were picked to finish ninth in the 11-team league.
 
Besides the seven preseason All-Conference picks for USD and Marist, Dayton placed five on the team with Valparaiso (three) and Butler (two) next. Campbell, Morehead State, Drake and Jacksonville joined with Stetson, placing one player each on the team.
 
In addition to the 10 seniors returning for the 2017 season, Stetson is expected to welcome 17 juniors and 17 sophomores to camp next Wednesday, August 2, along with 43 first-year players and 24 redshirt freshmen who did not see action in a game last year.
 
The Hatters will open training camp on Thursday, August 3, at 7 p.m. at the Athletics Training Center on Watson Field. The first four days of practice are scheduled for 7 p.m. before sessions move to 2 p.m. on Monday, August 7.
 
The Stetson squad will hold a public scrimmage at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium on Saturday, August 19, at 7 p.m.
 
The 2017 season will open on September 2 with the first of two consecutive road games. The Hatters will travel to play Sacred Heart in the opener before heading back to the northeast the following week for a PFL tilt against Marist.
 
The Hatters will play the first of six home games on Sept. 16 when they host Dartmouth from the Ivy League. Other home games are scheduled against Campbell (Sept. 23), Brown (Oct. 7), Davidson (Oct. 14), San Diego (Oct. 28) and Butler (Nov. 4) for homecoming.
 
Season tickets to see all of the Hatters' home games are available by visiting GoHatters.com/tix, by calling (386) 738-HATS (4287) or by visiting the ticket office at the Edmunds Center on campus.
 
About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program has a vision of developing a culture of champions athletically, academically and within the community. This vision is accomplished through a mission of recruiting and developing student-athletes, coaches and staff, creating a culture of champions, within and outside of competition. The department operates with five core values: Championship Culture, Integrity, Excellence, Pride/Tradition and Leadership. To learn more about the Vision, Mission and Core Values for Stetson Athletics, visit GoHatters.com and click on Mission Statement under the Inside Athletics tab.