Van Andel Headlines A-State's Preseason Honors; Red Wolves Earn Six Spots on All-Sun Belt Teams
Arkansas State junior kicker Clune Van Andel has been named the 2025 Sun Belt Conference Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year, highlighting a strong showing by the Red Wolves in the league’s annual preseason honors, announced Monday by the Sun Belt office.
Van Andel is one of four Red Wolves named to the Preseason All-Sun Belt teams, joining senior wide receiver Corey Rucker, senior defensive end Bryan Whitehead, and senior running back/returner Ja’Quez Cross. A-State’s four First-Team selections tie Southern Miss for the second-most in the league, while the Red Wolves’ six total honorees match Louisiana for the third-most overall.
Preseason Coaches Poll
The Sun Belt also revealed its 2025 Preseason Coaches Poll, placing Arkansas State third in the West Division with 64 points and one first-place vote. Louisiana leads the West with 86 points and six first-place votes, followed by Texas State with 78 points and six first-place votes. South Alabama (50), Southern Miss (47), Troy (43), and ULM (24) rounded out the West.
In the East Division, James Madison is the preseason favorite with 94 points and 11 first-place votes.
Red Wolves Preseason Standouts
Clune Van Andel – Kicker (First-Team)
Van Andel was stellar in 2024, going 21-of-25 on field goals, including a school-record 17 consecutive makes. He was perfect on extra points (33-for-33) and finished with 96 total points, the fourth-highest single-season total in program history. His range included 7-of-9 from 40+ yards and a career-long 52-yarder vs. Georgia State. Recognized by Phil Steele and Athlon Sports as a First-Team pick, Van Andel’s reliability was crucial in A-State’s bowl-winning campaign.
Corey Rucker – Wide Receiver (First-Team)
A 2024 Second-Team All-Sun Belt selection, Rucker became just the seventh player in program history to surpass 1,000 receiving yards in a season, ending with 1,053 yards on 69 receptions and seven touchdowns. His season included five 100+ yard games, a 193-yard performance vs. Troy, and a 79-yard score in the 68 Ventures Bowl win over Bowling Green. Entering 2025, Rucker is Arkansas State’s all-time leader in receiving yards (3,037) and ranks second in career receptions (180) and touchdown catches (23).
Bryan Whitehead – Defensive End (First-Team)
Whitehead appeared in all 13 games last season with 10 starts, registering 24 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 4.0 sacks. He also led the team with 15 quarterback hurries. A career day at Georgia State earned him SBC Defensive Player of the Week, where he totaled 3.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks, and a forced fumble. Recognized by Athlon Sports (First Team) and Phil Steele (Second Team), Whitehead anchors the A-State pass rush entering 2025.
Ja’Quez Cross – All-Purpose (First-Team), RB/RS (Second-Team)
Cross contributed in multiple phases of the game, rushing for 638 yards, grabbing 35 catches for 228 yards, and adding two total touchdowns. As a return specialist, he averaged 24.0 yards per return with a 93-yard kickoff return TD against Texas State. Cross has four career 100-yard rushing games and remains a key playmaker on both offense and special teams. He earned Third-Team Preseason honors from both Phil Steele and Athlon Sports.
Sun Belt Media Days & Season Kickoff
Sun Belt Conference Media Days begin Tuesday with the West Division teams. Arkansas State Head Coach Butch Jones, quarterback Jaylen Raynor, and safety Brandon Barnes will appear at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, with coverage available on ESPN+.
The Red Wolves are coming off back-to-back bowl appearances and a victory in the 2024 68 Ventures Bowl. A-State is one of just four FBS programs to increase its win total each season since 2022.
They open the 2025 season at home on August 30, hosting Southeast Missouri at 6:00 p.m.
2025 SUN BELT CONFERENCE FOOTBALL PRESEASON AWARDS
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Braylon Braxton, Southern Miss
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Blayne Myrick, South Alabama
Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year
Clune Van Andel, Arkansas State
Preseason All-Sun Belt First Team Offense
QB – Braylon Braxton, Southern Miss
RB – George Pettaway, James Madison
RB – Kentrel Bullock, South Alabama
OL – Nick Del Grande, Coastal Carolina
OL – Caleb Cook, Georgia Southern
OL – Pichon Wimbley, Georgia Southern
OL – Pat McMurtrie, James Madison
OL – Zach Barlev, Old Dominion
TE – Toby Payne, Marshall
WR – Corey Rucker, Arkansas State
WR – Josh Dallas, Georgia Southern
WR – Ted Hurst, Georgia State
Preseason All-Sun Belt First Team Defense
DL – Bryan Whitehead, Arkansas State
DL – Latrell Bullard, Georgia Southern
DL – Jordan Lawson, Louisiana
DL – Kevontay Wells, ULM
DL – Brodarius Lewis, Southern Miss
LB – Brendan Harrington, Georgia Southern
LB – Jason Henderson, Old Dominion
LB – Blayne Myrick, South Alabama
DB – Chance Gamble, Georgia Southern
DB – Jacob Thomas, James Madison
DB – Tyree Skipper, Louisiana
DB – Josh Moten, Southern Miss
Preseason All-Sun Belt First Team Special Teams
K – Clune Van Andel, Arkansas State
P – Alex Smith, Georgia Southern
RS – Ian Foster, Southern Miss
AP – Ja’Quez Cross, Arkansas State
Preseason All-Sun Belt Second Team Offense
QB – Alonza Barnett III, James Madison
RB – Ja’Quez Cross, Arkansas State
RB – Bill Davis, Louisiana
OL – Jax Harrington, Louisiana
OL – George Jackson, Louisiana
OL – Jalen Slappy, Marshall
OL – Jordan Davis, South Alabama
OL – Eli Russ, Troy
TE – Kyirin Heath, Southern Miss
WR – Dalton Stroman, App State
WR – Jameson Tucker, Coastal Carolina
WR – Dalen Cobb, Georgia Southern
Preseason All-Sun Belt Second Team Defense
DL – Henry Bryant, Georgia State
DL – Immanuel Bush, James Madiso
DL – Kris Trinidad, Old Dominion
DL – Luis Medina, Troy
LB – Shane Bruce, Coastal Carolina
LB – Trent Hendrick, James Madison
LB – Cameron Whitfield, Louisiana
LB – Koa Naotala, Old Dominion
DB – Tracy Hill Jr., Georgia Southern
DB – DJ Barksdale, James Madison
DB – Wesley Miller, South Alabama
DB – Devin Lafayette, Troy
Preseason All-Sun Belt Second Team Special Teams
K – Scott Taylor Renfroe, Troy
P – Aleksi Pulkkinen, South Alabama
RS – Ja’Quez Cross, Arkansas State
AP – George Pettaway, James Madison
2025 SUN BELT CONFERENCE FOOTBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
(First-Place Votes)
East Division
1. James Madison – 94 Points (11)
2. Georgia Southern – 76 Points (1)
3. App State – 60 Points
4. Coastal Carolina – 49 Points (1)
5. Old Dominion – 48 Points
6. Marshall – 42 Points (1)
7. Georgia State – 23 Points
West Division
1. Louisiana – 86 Points (6)
2. Texas State – 78 Points (6)
3. Arkansas State – 64 Points (1)
4. South Alabama – 50 Points (1)
5. Southern Miss – 47 Points
6. Troy – 43 Points
7. ULM – 24 Points