FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 16, 2009

Jared Brawner named preseason first-team All-American

Joplin, Mo. - Missouri Southern senior linebacker Jared Brawner has been named a preseason first-team All-American by the Consensus Draft Services (CDS). To see a complete list of the All-American team click here.

Brawner, a 6-1, 243 pound native of Kirksville, Mo., was named an All-American in 2008 by Daktronics, as well as D2football.com and Don Hansen's Football Gazette. He is one of three from the MIAA to earn first-team status and one of 14 overall from the MIAA to be named on one of the three teams. Northwest Missouri's LaRon Council and Central Missouri's DeMarco Cosby join Brawner on the first-team.

A three-year starter for the Lions, Brawner was a first-team All-MIAA selection in 2008 after leading the MIAA in tackles (120 - 10.9 per game). He also finished second in the MIAA in fumbles forced and received. Brawner also ranked 10th in Division II in tackles per game and set two different career highs this season with game totals of 17 and 18 tackles. He was a first-team All-Region selection.

"Jared Brawner has been an outstanding player, and more importantly, an outstanding leader for our football program," said head football coach Bart Tatum. "He is a physical player that has a great understanding of the game. His production has steadily improved because of his continuous physical and mental preparation."

The Lions begin the 2009 campaign with a road contest at Harding University on August 29 at 6 pm in Searcy, Arkansas.