Tusculum Duo Tabbed to USA College Football Preseason All-American Team

Tusculum College’s Justin Houston and Wesley Powell have been selected to the 2014 USA College Football Division II Preseason All-America first team.

Houston, a 5-8, 180-pound junior receiver, earned Beyond Sports Network All-America third team accolades last year as he established TC single-season records with 110 receptions, 1,347 receiving yards and 1,914 all-purpose yards. His receptions tally was the second-most in South Atlantic Conference history while is receiving yards total was fourth in the SAC record book. He averaged 11 receptions per game, which were second in the nation, while his 134.7 receiving yards per game was the fourth most in the country. His 191.4 all-purpose yards per game average led the SAC and was 10th in NCAA II.

The Cleveland, Tenn. native earned Football Gazette All-America honorable mention distinction in 2013, while also garnering All-Region accolades by Daktronics and Football Gazette. The Bradley Central High School graduate posted over 100 receiving yards in nine of his 10 outings and finished the season scoring eight touchdowns (7 receiving, 1 return). His 99-yard kickoff return against Wingate last season was the longest in school history.

Houston is majoring in physical education where he garnered Capital One Academic All-District first team accolades in 2013 and is a Tusculum Athletic Director’s Honor Roll selection.

Powell, a 6-10, 265-pound senior tight end, earned Football Gazette All-America second team recognition last season as he finished third on the team with his 38 receptions and 520 receiving yards (8th in SAC), while hauling in four touchdowns. The Titus, Ala. native also earned All-SAC first team and All-Region first team accolades by Daktronics and Football Gazette.

The Elmore County High School alum enters his final collegiate season with 81 receptions for 853 yards and seven touchdowns.

Powell is a member of the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll while majoring in history education.

USA Football Network, Inc. is proud to publish its 26th USA College Football Division II Pre-Season All-American Teams that are selected by a national panel including Head Coaches, Sports information Directors, members of the Football Writers Association of America, Metropolitan New York Football Writers Association, New England Football Writers Association and Philadelphia Football Writers, pro football scouts plus staff journalists of Lindey’s Sports Annuals, The Sports Network and USA Football News.

Earlier this week, the Tusculum duo was also named to the Beyond Sports Network Preseason All-America Team. Houston was selected to the BSN Preseason All-America second team, while Powell garnered third team honors.

Tusculum opens its season Thursday, Sep. 4 when the Pioneers host the College of Faith for a 7 p.m. contest at the Niswonger Sports Complex and Pioneer Field.

Tusculum College, located in Greeneville, Tennessee, is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, USA and is a NCAA Division II member of the South Atlantic Conference. Tusculum, the oldest college in the State of Tennessee, sponsors 16 intercollegiate sports, including women’s lacrosse, which will be competing in its first season during the 2014-2015 academic year.

Tusculum, the 28th oldest college in the nation, is a liberal arts institution committed to providing a liberal arts education in a Judeo-Christian and civic arts environment, with pathways for career preparation, personal development and civic engagement. Approximately twenty-one hundred students are enrolled on the main campus in Greeneville and three off-site locations in East Tennessee. The academic programs for both traditional-aged students and working adults served through the Graduate and Professional Studies program are delivered using focused calendars whereby students enroll in one course at a time.