FRISCO, Texas – The 2023 Preseason All-Southland Conference football team was released on Friday as the McNeese Cowboys appear to be slighted by the voters (league head coaches) with just five selections and one on the first team.

On the team is Middleburg High graduate Cole LeClair, a sophomore offensive lineman at McNeese.

McNeese, who transferred from Valdosta State University after his freshman season, joins sophomore kicker, freshman All-American Garrison Smith, the lone McNeese first-team representative, while offensive linemen, sophomore Cole Leclair and junior Dylan Dauzart, were named to the second team offense.

On the defensive side, sophomore lineman Welland Williams and sophomore defensive back Javon Davis were picked for the second team.

Southeastern Louisiana led the way with 17 total selections, including at quarterback where it landed both the first and second-team spots. Nicholls, who won three games in 2022, followed with 11. UIW added eight selections followed by McNeese and HCU with five while Lamar and Texas A&M-Commerce each penned four.

Leclair had a great freshman season with the Cowboys after transferring from Valdosta State. He is a Middleburg, Florida native who is ranked as one of the top returning offensive linemen in the FCS in several publications. Dauzart, a junior from Alexandria, is another returning starter for an offensive line that added incredible size during the offseason.

LeClair is currently ranked number 18 on a PFF.com ranking of top guards in both the FBS and FCS slated to graduate in 2026.

The preseason poll will be revealed on Monday, July 24, to kick off the 2023 Southland Conference Football Media Day on ESPN+.

The Cowboys will report to fall camp on Sunday, July 30, and will hold their first practice on Wednesday, August 2.

McNeese will travel to Gainesville on Sat. Sept. 9 to take on the Florida Gators at 6:30 p.m.