TALLAHASSEE, Fla. | The Florida A&M University football team placed three student-athletes on the 2020 College Sports Journal Preseason FCS All-American team on Tuesday.
 
Punter Chris Faddoul, wide receiver Xavier Smith and defensive back Markquese Bell earned all-american honors.
 
Faddoul, who was a 2020 Hero Sports Preseason All-American First Team selection, was also named the College Sports Journal Preseason FCS Special Teams Player of the Year.
 
Faddoul, who received BOXTOROW, Associated Press, STATS FCS, AFCA and Black College All-American honors last season, has been one of the most consistent punters over the past two years in NCAA Division I FCS. During his sophomore season, he led the country in punting and in 2019, the Wesley Chapel, Fla. native finished right behind Alex Pechin, of Bucknell, in punting average.
 
Last season, Faddoul showcased his powerful leg all season long by averaging 46.0 yards per punt. He registered 40 punts for 1,841 yards, with 19 punts placed inside the 20-yardline, with only five touchbacks. In addition, Faddoul had a season-long punt of 72 yards on Oct. 20 in an overtime win over nationally-ranked North Carolina A&T State.
 
Smith, who earned BOXTOROW, Hero Sports, AFCA and Black College All-American honors last season, had a phenomenal sophomore season. He led the MEAC in receiving yards (1,159) and receptions (77). Smith was the only receiver in the MEAC to go eclipse the 1,000-yard receiving mark last season, and was also second in the MEAC in TD receptions (11). In addition, Smith ranked fifth nationally in receiving yards per game, ninth in receptions per game, ninth in receiving yards and 16th in receiving touchdowns.
 
Bell had a remarkable 2019 campaign, which landed him as a MEAC First-Team selection and Hero Sports Sophomore Honorable Mention All-American. Bell tied for the league lead in interceptions (5) and had 38 solo tackles (61 total) with five tackles for loss.
 
FAMU will open the 2020 season on Sunday, Sept. 6 in Miami Gardens, Fla., against Albany State in the Orange Blossom Classic.
 
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