CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Presbyterian College football players Darrell Bridges, Obinna Ntiasagwe and Joseph Purter have been named to the Big South Preseason All-Conference team, the league announced on Tuesday at its annual media day event in Charlotte.

Bridges was a first team All-Big South selection last season after rushing for over 1,000 yards last season, the first running back to do so in PC's Division I history. The native of Chattanooga, Tenn. enters 2016 as the top returning rusher in the conference and will look to repeat his impressive work against a tough schedule this season. Bridges also led the team in scoring last season, finding his way to the endzone eight times for a team-high 48 points.

Ntiasagwe returns to lead the Blue Hose on defense this season, after totaling 41 tackles last year, including 7.0 tackles for loss and a team-high 5.5 sacks. The redshirt junior defensive lineman finished fourth in the league in sacks last season and is one of just four returning players to have at least 5.0 sacks a year ago. Ntiasagwe, a native of Columbia, S.C., ranked ninth among the league's defensive lineman in tackles last season.

Purter proved to be a reliable target in the passing game for PC last season, catching eight passes for 103 yards for an average of 12.9 yards per reception. The senior tight end recorded the longest pass play of the 2015 season for PC, hauling in a 49-yard reception at Western Carolina that led to a PC touchdown. The native of Columbus, Ga. will likely be counted to help the lead the offense this season.

The Blue Hose were also chosen to finish sixth in the league's preseason poll. Charleston Southern earned the top spot, receiving 16 first-place votes, while Liberty and Kennesaw State each received a first-place vote as well.

PC opens the 2016 season in less than 40 days when it travels to Central Michigan on Thursday, September 1 for a 7:00 p.m. meeting with the Chippewas.

2016 Big South Football Preseason All-Conference Team

OFFENSE                                  SCHOOL                        YR 

QB       Trey White                      Kennesaw State              RSr.

RB       Darius Hammond             Charleston Southern         Sr.

RB       Darrell Bridges               Presbyterian                   RJr.

WR      Zac Parker                       Liberty                             Sr.

WR      Darren Ambush                Monmouth                        Sr.

WR      Justin Sumpter                 Kennesaw State              RSo.

TE       Joseph Purter                 Presbyterian                   Sr.

OL       Erik Austell                      Charleston Southern        RSr.

OL       Malik Letatau                   Kennesaw State              Sr.

OL       Jackson Williamson          Charleston Southern         Sr.

OL       Alex Thompson                Monmouth                      Jr.

OL       Caleb Smith                     Gardner-Webb                 RSr.

DEFENSE                                  SCHOOL                          YR              

DL       Anthony Ellis                   Charleston Southern           Jr.

DL       Darnell Leslie                   Monmouth                         Sr.

DL       Ja'Ron Greene                 Liberty                              Sr.

DL       Obinna Ntisagwe            Presbyterian                   RJr.

LB        Chad Geter                     Gardner-Webb                  RSr.

LB        Solomon Brown               Charleston Southern         RSo.

LB        Aaron Cook                     Gardner-Webb                  Sr.

LB        Payton Minnich                Monmouth                       Sr.

DB       Mike Basile                      Monmouth                       Jr.

DB       Troy McGowens               Charleston Southern         Sr.

DB       Taylor Hinkle                    Kennesaw State              RSo.

DB       Chris Turner                     Liberty                             RJr.

SPECIAL TEAMS                     SCHOOL                         YR              

PK       Matt White                     Monmouth                        Jr.

P          Trey Turner                   Liberty                             RJr.

LS        Joseph Smith                Charleston Southern         RSr.

KR       Darius Hammond           Charleston Southern          Sr.

PR       Darius Hammond           Charleston Southern          Sr.

PRESEASON OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Darius Hammond, Sr., RB (Johnston, S.C.)

PRESEASON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Anthony Ellis, Jr., DL (Apopka, Fla.)