BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University football landed 12 representatives on Athlon Sports' preseason all-Sun Belt Conference teams, which were announced on Friday.

A trio of defenders — senior defensive lineman Ronald Blair, junior linebacker John Law and senior defensive back Doug Middleton — lead the way with first-team honors.

Junior running back Marcus Cox and sophomore offensive lineman Beau Nunn represent Appalachian State's offense on the second and third teams, respectively.

Rounding out the Mountaineers' 12 honorees, sophomore quarterback Taylor Lamb, senior wide receiver Malachi Jones, senior offensive lineman Jesse Chapman, junior offensive lineman Parker Collins, junior linebacker Kennan Gilchrist, sophomore defensive back Latrell Gibbs and junior punter Bentlee Critcher were named to the fourth team.

The Mountaineers' 12 overall honorees are the second-most in Athlon's preseason Sun Belt prognostications, behind only Arkansas State (15). Appalachian's three first-team selections are tied for third behind A-State and UL Monroe (four apiece).

Despite the individual plaudits and the fact that Appalachian State returns 20 starters from last season's third-place squad, Athlon picked the Mountaineers to finish fourth in the Sun Belt race in 2015, behind Arkansas State, Georgia Southern and UL Lafayette. App State hosts all three teams this year at Kidd Brewer Stadium, with Georgia Southern (Oct. 22) and A-State (Nov. 5) coming to The Rock for nationally televised Thursday night games on ESPNU and UL Lafayette visiting for the Mountaineers' home finale on Nov. 28.

Season tickets, including a slew of full- and half-season packages, are on sale now. Tickets, which are available for as low as $99 for the full season (six home games) and $65 for a half-season package (three home games), can be purchased online by clicking HERE, by phone at (828) 262-2079 and in person at the Appalachian State athletics ticket office, located at the Holmes Center.