NASHVILLE – The Eastern Kentucky University football team tallied up the accolades at the United Athletic Conference Media Day in Nashville on Wednesday as six Colonels were named to the league's preseason all-conference team while EKU was predicted to finish in third in the preseason coaches' poll.
 
The six all-conference selections for the Colonels were running back Brayden Latham, wide receiver Marcus Calwise Jr., linebacker Braden Sullivan, defensive back Jaheim Ward, punter Jacob Baker, and return specialist Jalen Montgomery.
 
EKU's six selections to the team were the most of any team in the league.
 
A unanimous all-conference selection, Latham earns the honor entering his junior year after playing in all 13 games in 2024, rushing for 622 yards on 141 attempts, scoring three touchdowns.
 
The Knoxville, Tennessee, native ended the 2024 regular season strong with a career-high 103 rushing yards and one touchdown against North Alabama to help EKU to victory that secured its first undefeated season at home since 2010, and a spot in the FCS Playoffs.
 
In the passing game, Calwise adds the honor after being named a Freshman All-American by Phil Steele and FCS Central in 2024. As a freshman phenom, Calwise led the Colonels in receiving statistics with 42 receptions for 526 yards and five touchdowns.
 
On defense, Ward adds the preseason award to go with his Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-American recognition from just one day ago.
 
In 2024, the Moultrie, Georgia native started in 10 of the Colonels' 13 games, recording the third-most tackles on the team with 66, including five tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, one recovery, two interceptions, and nine pass breakups.
 
Ward is joined by a fellow newcomer from last season in Sullivan, who started in 11 of EKU's 13 games a season ago, as he recorded 92 total tackles with one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
 
On special teams, Baker was a First Team All-UAC selection last season as the league's top punter with a punting average of 43.7 yards per punt with 17 punts of 50 yards or longer (most in the UAC) while also having a long of 65 yards.
 
Along with his power, Baker showed precision with 24 punts downed inside the 20, the most in the UAC.
 
Rounding out the preseason honors was special teams "Swiss army knife" Jalen Montgomery, who was a Phil Steele Second-Team All-UAC selection a season ago, averaging 23.9 yards per kick return attempt and 14.3 yards per punt return, the most in the UAC.
 
The now redshirt senior totaled 502 kick return yards on 21 attempts and 157 punt return yards on 11 attempts.
 
EKU will now turn its full attention to fall camp and its season opener on Saturday, August 30, against in-state foe Louisville, with the home opener at Roy Kidd Stadium set for September 6, against Houston Christian at 6 p.m.