HICKORY, N.C. - The Lenoir-Rhyne Football Team is ranked No. 17 in the preseason edition of the AFCA Coaches Poll. In addition to the team honor, running back LJ Turner and defensive back Desmond Greene were named to the D2Football Elite 100 Watch List. 

The Bears, a perennial power, finished last season ranked No. 16 in the country following an NCAA Tournament second round appearance and a 10-3 overall record. This comes just one year after an historic national semi-final run in 2023. Second-year Head Coach Doug Socha and his squad won't have an easy road this season as they face four teams who are either ranked or receiving votes in the poll. That includes their opener at No. 8 West Florida on Friday, August 29th, at 7:00 p.m., the only DII game in the country that day. 

In addition to the team ranking, newcomers LJ Turner and Desmond Greene have been named to the D2Football Elite 100 Watch List. Turner, a transfer running back from Catawba, was electric last season. He was named an AFCA Second-Team All-American and an All-Super Region & SAC First Team honoree. He broke Catawba's single-season rushing record in just eight games played and led the conference with 14 total touchdowns. Greene, a defensive back from Crawfordville, Florida, came to the Bears following an historic season with DII Southwestern Oklahoma State. He finished the season second in the country for interceptions and was an All-Super Region 3 and All-GAC second team honoree.