READING, Pa. - For the first time in their careers senior offensive lineman Matt Odenwalt and senior kicker John Whelan were named preseason All-Americans by D3Proday.com. Odenwalt earned third team honors as a tackle, while Whelan was an Honorable Mention selection.

A second team All-Conference selection in 2009, Odenwalt returns this fall for his final season with Lions. After getting sidelined last season due to injury, the 6'6”, 315-pounder is in the best shape of his career, and will look to lead Albright to their second conference title in three seasons.

As one of the top kickers in the MAC from a year ago, Whelan will look to make his senior season one of his best. Currently ranked in the top-5 in numerous categories in the Albright record book, Whelan was named a first team All-Conference selection last season. The New Jersey native closed out his junior season 9-for-12 on field goal attempts, and 37-40 on PAT's. Whelan nailed a career long 45-yarder in the win over Lycoming College, which was two-yards short of the record long.

The Lions open their season on Saturday, September 4th when they host Ursinus College at 7 p.m. in Shirk Stadium.