BALTIMORE, Md. – As a kickoff to Tuesday's CAA Football Media Day festivities, the league announced the preseason all-conference team that included Elon sophomore safety Chris Blair. The team was selected by the league's coaches and media relations directors.

Blair, who hails from Winston-Salem, N.C., notched 98 total tackles in his rookie campaign to collect third-team All-CAA Football accolades. He ranked third on the team, 12th in the league and third among CAA Football's defensive backs in tackles. Of his 98 stops, 51 were solo tackles and 3.0 were for a loss. Blair intercepted one pass, broke up three others, forced one fumble and blocked one kick. He had four games with 10 or more tackles, including a personal-best 14 stops against #16 Richmond and 13 in a contest against #4 New Hampshire. His lone pick of the year was returned 15 yards against Stony Brook.

Blair was one of just three sophomores recognized with preseason all-conference honors. The others were Albany wide receiver Josh Gontarek and Delaware defensive lineman Blaine Woodson.

The league also announced the preseason poll on Tuesday. Villanova collected 14 first-place votes to be named the preseason favorite.

Elon will open up the 2015 campaign on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. at Wake Forest. The Phoenix will report for preseason camp on Aug. 5. Season tickets and mini-packs are now on sale and can be purchased at elonphoenix.com or by calling 336-278-6750.

2015 CAA Football Preseason All-Conference Team
Offense
QB – John Robertson, Villanova
RB – Mikal Abdul-Saboor, William & Mary
RB – Darius Victor, Towson
FB/HB – Seth Fisher, Richmond
WR – Brian Brown, Richmond
WR – Reggie Diggs, Richmond
WR – Josh Gontarek, Albany
TE – Deane Cheatham, James Madison
OL – Ben Curtis, Delaware
OL – Bruce Johnson, Maine
OL – Andrew Jones, William & Mary
OL – Mitch Kirsch, James Madison
OL – Tad McNeely, New Hampshire

Defense
DL – Trevor Bates, Maine
DL – Jon Desir, Towson
DL – Victor Ochi, Stony Brook
DL – Blaine Woodson, Delaware
LB – Akil Anderson, New Hampshire
LB – Don Cherry, Villanova
LB – Christophe Mulumba-Tshimanga, Maine
LB – Luke Rhodes, William & Mary
CB – Casey DeAndrade, New Hampshire
CB – DeAndre Houston-Carson, William & Mary
S – Chris Blair, Elon
S – Niam Cheesboro, Stony Brook

Special Teams
RS – Myles Holmes, Rhode Island
PK – Peter Yoder, Richmond
P – Eric Enderson, Delaware

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: John Robertson, Villanova
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Don Cherry, Villanova