BY JEREMY SCHILLING

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

The Northeast Conference, on their annual preseason conference call today, announced that three Monmouth Hawks made the 25-man all-NEC preseason team. In addition, the Hawks were also picked to finish fifth in the preseason coaches’ poll.

On the defensive side of the ball lineman Eric Macik made it, while offensive lineman Mike Murphy and tight end Tyler George were selected from the offense. Macik had 17 tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble last year. George, meanwhile, had 36 catches for 282 yards but no touchdowns in 2011, something that stands to change with fellow fifth-year senior Kyle Frazier back at quarterback.

On the conference call, head coach Kevin Callahan said that the offense is what has him most excited for the 2012 season.

“[I’m] really excited about it,” Callahan said. “We return all but one player from a year ago. Our quarterback is healthy, our offensive line is the best group that I can remember us ever having. We’ve got a lot of depth at the skill positions. I like the improvement that we made throughout the course of spring practice. So that unit really excites me and I can’t wait to see what we can do come the season.”

The Hawks open training camp on Monday and have their season opener at Lehigh on Sept. 1.

The 2012 Northeast Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll (First place votes in parenthesis):

1. Albany (6)

2. Duquesne (1)

3. Bryant (2) – first season of postseason eligibility

4. Central Connecticut State

5. Monmouth

6. Robert Morris

7. Wagner

8. Sacred Heart

9. St. Francis