EASTON, Pa. – Seniors Jake Marotti, Nick Pearson, Yasir Thomas and reigning Patriot League Rookie of the Year Malik Hamm have been selected to the 2019 Preseason All-Patriot League Team.
 
Marotti was an All-Patriot First-Team honoree at left tackle in 2018 and was selected to be a team captain for the 2019 season. He was one of three offensive linemen to start every game in 2018 as a major piece of a front five that led the Patriot League in sacks allowed and tackles for loss allowed last season.
 
Pearson, Marotti's offensive teammate, garnered All-Patriot League Second-Team honors in 2018. The wide receiver led the team with 41 catches for 592 yards (14.4 yards per catch) and ran the ball 21 times for 65 yards and two touchdowns.
 
Thomas, who was also an All-Patriot League Second-Team selection in 2018, started 10 games in the secondary and finished with 48 tackles, an interception and seven pass breakups. Like Marotti, he will serve as a team captain for the 2019 campaign.
 
Hamm joins the 2019 Preseason All-Patriot League Team after a 2018 season that saw him earn Patriot League Rookie of the Year and All-Patriot League Second-Team status, while also securing a place on the Hero Sports Freshman All-America Team. Hamm started nine of 11 games at defensive end, finishing fourth on the team in tackles (58) while leading the team in tackles for loss (15) and sacks (8.5). Hamm ranked second in the Patriot League and 18^th in FCS in sacks (0.77 per game), and third in the Patriot League and 30^th in the FCS in tackles for loss (1.4 tackles for loss per game).
 
In the preseason poll selected by the conference coaches and sports information directors, Lafayette had 21 points and was picked sixth behind 2018 Patriot League champion Colgate (72 points, 12 first-place votes), Holy Cross (58 points, 2 first-place votes), Georgetown (51 points), Fordham (39 points) and Lehigh (38 points), while placing ahead of Bucknell (15 points).
 
The Leopards report to camp on Friday, Aug. 2, and begin practice the next day. Lafayette opens the 2019 regular season at William & Mary on Aug. 31.