2012 The Sports Network FCS Preseason All-America Team

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- Elon senior wide receiver Aaron Mellette has been named a first-team member of the 2012 The Sports Network FCS Preseason All-America Team as announced on July 9.

Mellette was a first-team All-Southern Conference selection by both the Southern Conference's coaches and media members and finished fifth in the voting for the Walter Payton Award in 2011.  The Sanford, N.C., native ended the regular season as the FCS leader in both receptions per game (10.27) and receiving yards per game (149.0).  His 1,639 receiving yards established a new Elon and SoCon record, surpassing the mark of 1,633 yards set by former Phoenix standout Terrell Hudgins in 2009.  Mellette had nine 100-yard receiving games and twice went over 200 yards receiving during his junior campaign.  He began the season with an 11-catch, 180-yard performance at Vanderbilt.  In a win at North Carolina Central, Mellette caught 16 passes for a career-high 237 yards.  In the season finale against Appalachian State, Mellette hauled in 14 balls for 236 yards.  He made a SoCon-best 113 catches and led the league with 12 touchdown receptions.  He was twice honored as the league's offensive player of the month.

In his three seasons in the maroon and gold Mellette has caught 207 passes for 2,856 yards and 26 touchdowns.

Mellette was named to seven All-America teams following his junior year.  He was a first-team choice to teams announced by The Associated Press, The Sports Network/Fathead.com, the Walter Camp Football Foundation, College Sporting News, Phil Steele and College Sports Madness.

The preseason first team released on Monday returns 14 players who were named to the 2011 All-America first team by a national panel of sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries this past December.

Overall, 35 players return to the three preseason teams.

Along with Mellette, returning to the first-team offense are running backs Shakir Bell of Indiana State and 2011 Jerry Rice Award recipient Terrance West of Towson; fullback Eric Breitenstein of Wofford; wide receivers Nicholas Edwards of Eastern Washington and Ryan Spadola of Lehigh; and tight end Colin Anderson of Furman.

On defense, returning to the first team are defensive tackle Brent Russell of Georgia Southern; 2011 Buck Buchanan Award-winning linebacker Matt Evans of New Hampshire; cornerback Marcus Williams of North Dakota State; and safeties Kejuan Riley of Alabama State and Darnell Taylor of Sam Houston State.

Portland State place-kicker Zach Brown and Liberty kick returner Kevin Fogg also return to the preseason first team.

The 2012 Sports Network All-America Team will be announced after the regular season on Dec. 19.

The Sports Network also presents the four major awards in the division - the Walter Payton (FCS outstanding player), the Buck Buchanan (FCS outstanding defensive player), the Jerry Rice (FCS outstanding freshman player) and the Eddie Robinson (FCS coach of the year) - after the season. In addition, TSN presents the FCS's most widely recognized weekly Top 25 poll and weekly awards honoring the nation's top offensive player, defensive player, special teams player and freshman.