DOVER — Delaware State has been picked to finish fourth in the MEAC football standings this fall.

The Hornets did receive one of the 12 first-place votes as the six-team league held its preseason media day on Friday.

DSU also put four players on the preseason All-MEAC first team, in voting by league head coaches and sports information directors.

Hornet defensive back Esaias Guthrie (So.), defensinve lineman Isaiah Williams (Sr.) and linebacker Ronald Holmes (So.) were named to the team, along with punter Matt Noll (So.).

Guthrie was a 2021 All-MEAC first-team pick and HERO Sports FCS Freshman All-America selection. Williams and Noll were also ’21 All-MEAC first-team honorees.

Two Hornets were named to the preseason All-MEAC second-team offense: Center Dillon Marshall (Sr.) and fellow lineman Brandon Bradford (Sr.). On the second-team defense were lineman Marcus Winfield (So.), and linebacker Brooks Parker (Sr.), along with defensive backs Jawain Granger (Sr.) and Charles Peeler (Sr.).

Defending MEAC and HBCU national champion South Carolina State topped the poll with eight of 12 first-place votes and 124 points.

Delaware State was 2-3 in the MEAC to tie with Norfolk State for third place in the league standings in 2021. An overtime loss to North Carolina Central in the ’21 season finale prevented the Hornets from a second-place finish last season.

Delaware State kicks off the season at home against Lincoln on Sept. 3.