BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State cornerback
Clifton Duck, a rising junior, has been named a second-team preseason All-American by Street and Smith.
The national publication's 2018 college football preview magazine recognized App State in several areas, as it ranked
Scott Satterfield as the Sun Belt Conference's best head coach and picked Kidd Brewer Stadium as the Sun Belt's best game-day atmosphere.
Of the 48 players on the publication's two All-America teams, Duck was one of only four selections from a Group of Five conference program.
A two-time All-Sun Belt selection, Duck is tied for first place nationally with 11 interceptions since the start of the 2016 season. In the same time frame, according to the PFF College Football site, he leads FBS defensive backs by allowing a passer rating of just 50.4 when targeted with a throw. Alabama's Minkah Fitzpatrick, the No. 11 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, ranked second with a 59.9 rating.
Duck had five interceptions as a true freshman in 2016, when he was named to a pair of Freshman All-America Teams, and he added six more interceptions last season as a sophomore. That total led the Sun Belt and tied for fourth place nationally.
In addition to the interceptions, Duck had 50 tackles and one sack in 2017. With fellow cornerback
Tae Hayes picking off four passes last season, App State's corners have an FBS-leading 30 interceptions in the last three years.
Duck, Hayes, linebacker
Anthony Flory, running back
Jalin Moore and offensive lineman
Victor Johnson made the preseason All-Sun Belt team from Street and Smith, which labeled Moore as the league's "Top NFL Prospect" and its "Best Under Pressure" performer. Street and Smith also tabbed
Jalen Virgil as the league's "Fastest Receiver," center
Noah Hannon as the league's "Best Interview" and new defensive coordinator
Bryan Brown as the "Coordinator To Watch."
