Zinchini grabs another preseason honor with All-America selection
Tennessee Tech senior Chad Zinchini is one of eight Ohio Valley Conference players named Monday to the Sports Network Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Preseason All-American Team.
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Tech senior Chad Zinchini is one of eight Ohio Valley Conference players named Monday to the Sports Network Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Preseason All-American Team.
The OVC selections included four players on the first-team and four players on the third-team. Zinchini, who led the OVC in punting average a year ago with a school record 44.8 yard mark, is a third-team selection.
It's the third honor for the Golden Eagle punter from Hendersonville, Tenn. Earlier this summer, he was named a second-team preseason All-America by BeyondSportsNetwork.com, and last week was included on the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) Watch List of the nation's top FCS punters.
The first-team selections were Eastern Illinois senior wide receiver Erik Lora, Tennessee State junior tight end A.C. Leonard, Murray State senior all-purpose player (wide receiver/return specialist) Walter Powell and Tennessee State junior defensive back Steven Godbolt.
The third-team selections were Tennessee State senior offensive lineman Kadeem Edwards, Eastern Kentucky senior linebacker Anthony Brown, UT Martin senior linebacker Ben Johnson and Zinchini.
Zinchini received All-OVC and All-America nods following the 2012 season after ranking fourth in the nation in punting with an average. He downed 19 of his kicks inside the 20-yard line with only five touchbacks, and avoided having any of his punts blocked.
Zinchini and the Golden Eagles will report to preseason camp on Aug. 2, with the season opener set for Thursday night, Aug. 29, against Cumberland University in Tucker Stadium. For season ticket information, please visit the Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center or call (931) 372-3940.
OVC Players on the 2013 Sports Network Preseason All-American Team
WR - Erik Lora, Eastern Illinois (1st Team)
TE - A.C. Leonard, Tennessee State (1st Team)
AP - Walter Powell, Murray State (1st Team)
DB - Steven Godbolt, Tennessee State (1st Team)
OL - Kadeem Edwards, Tennessee State (3rd Team)
LB - Anthony Brown, Eastern Kentucky (3rd Team)
LB - Ben Johnson, UT Martin (3rd Team)
P - Chad Zinchini, Tennessee Tech (3rd Team)
