EASTON, Pa. - Senior cornerback Matt Smalley (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge) has been named to the STATS FCS Preseason All-America Team, earning a place on the third-team defense.

Smalley is coming off a 2014 season in which he garnered All-Patriot League First-Team laurels for the second straight season. Smalley, who is entering his third season as a starter, finished 2014 with 61 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception, and tied for third in the Patriot League with 12 passes (11 breakups and an interception).

Smalley also averaged 23.5 yards on kickoff returns as a junior a season removed from when he was ranked eighth in the nation in the same category with 29.6 yards per kick return, including returns of 98 and 99 yards in 2013.

The Leopards will open the season on Sept. 5, hosting William and Mary at 6 p.m.