JACKSON- Junior defensive lineman Zach Bell has been named a pre-season second-team All-American by the USA Football Network. 

Bell is coming off a sophomore season where he was named the first defensive player of the year in the Southern Athletic Association. 

The Metarie, Lousiana native tied for the Majors lead with 68 tackles and led the Majors and the conference with eight sacks. Bell also led the Majors and the Southern Athletic Association with 15 tackles for loss in 2012. 

Bell headlines a Majors defense and defensive line that led the Southern Athletic Association with 31 sacks in 2012. The Majors swarming pressure led to 11 fumble recoveries, which also led the conference. 

Bell and the Majors open up the season with the annual Backyard Brawl against Mississippi College. This year, the game will be held in Clinton on September 7th. Tickets are still available and can be pre-purchased here.