JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – A pair of Carson-Newman defenders have earned preseason first team All-American honors from USA College Football. 

Defensive back Eien Jacob (New Iberia, La.) and defensive end Javaris Neal (Columbia, Tenn.) both earned the accolade.  The honor is Neal's first preseason All-America appearance while Jacob garners his second after appearing on Lindys' preseason All-American team. 

Jacob was second in the SAC with his five picks last year en route to earning second team all-conference honors and all-region and All-American honors from Don Hansen's Football Gazette. 

With his two interceptions against Newberry, Jacob became the first Eagle with a multi-pick game since Oliver Davis had a pair against Tusculum in 2010. 

Jacob finished the regular season with a career best seven-tackle day against Wingate.  Jacob needed two more picks to break into the top 10 for most interceptions in a single season at C-N.

Meanwhile, Neal wreaked havoc up front. He followed up a 2012 SAC defensive freshman of the year campaign by earning all-conference and all-region honors. 

The Columbia, Tenn.-native rumbled for a 41-yard interception return against Newberry (11/23) for a touchdown and also picked off a pass against Mars Hill (10/5).  Neal was fourth in the league in tackles among defensive linemen. 

He was sixth in the league overall in sacks.  He had a career best nine tackles against Brevard (9/21). Neal turned in season best 2.5 tackle for loss-performances against Brevard and Wingate (11/16) in the regular season and Newberry in the playoffs. 

He also took down the opposing quarterback 1.5 times in the Brevard and Newberry games.

Neal produced a team high nine quarterback hurries, recovered two fumbles and forced another.  He recovered his fumbles against Newberry (11/9) and Tusculum (10/19).