DAVIS, Calif. – UC Davis seniors Ulonzo Gilliam, Jr. and Jake Parks were named to the Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Team, the organization announced Monday. Gilliam, Jr. garnered first-team honors at the all-purpose spot, while Parks nabbed third-team accolades along the offensive line.
Gilliam, Jr. continues to bring in the preseason honors as he was named the Big Sky Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and earned first-team preseason honors. The Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-American accolade is the second of his career as he was named to the second team entering the 2020 campaign.
The 5-9 running back enters the 2022 season with his name etched atop the Aggie record book. The Merced, Calif., native has amassed 3,435 career rushing yards which is just 155 shy of breaking the record held by G.P. Muhammad (1995-98).
The 2019 All-American is also just 150 all-purpose yards behind Muhammad for the school record. On top of his 3,435 rushing yards, Gilliam, Jr. has hauled in 164 passes for 1,045 receiving yards. His 164 receptions currently rank ninth in the UC Davis annals. The two-time Ken O'Brien Award winner (UC Davis Most Outstanding Offensive Player) also ranks ninth in scoring with 231 points on 38 touchdowns – fourth all-time among non-kickers.
Gilliam, Jr. was named to the All-Big Sky first-team last season after rushing for 901 yards while also amassing 278 receiving yards with seven total touchdowns.
Parks earned All-Big Sky first-team honors in 2021 after starting every game at right guard for the Aggies, moving his career total to 42-straight. The Huntington Beach, Calif., native helped open the running lanes for UC Davis to rank second in the league with 178.5 yards rushing per game and fourth overall with 407 total yards per contest. The Aggies allowed the 29th fewest sacks during the FCS regular season a year ago.
Parks was a 2018 Hero Sports Freshman All-American and garnered Phil Steele freshman honors in his rookie campaign. The senior was also named to the All-Big Sky Preseason Team last week.
The Aggies will play five regular season home games at the newly resurfaced UC Davis Health Stadium and open their 2022 home slate against San Diego on Saturday, Sept. 17. Single game tickets go on sale today, and season tickets are still available. For more information, click HERE or call 530-752-2471.
2022 STATS PERFORM FCS PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA TEAM
Previous Season(s) as First-Team Postseason All-American Listed in Parentheses
FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
RB – Isaiah Ifanse, 5-10, 202, senior, Montana State
DEFENSE
LB – Patrick O'Connell, 6-2, 225, redshirt senior, Montana (2021)
DB – Anthony Adams, 6-0, 185, senior, Portland State (2019)
DB – Justin Ford, 6-2, 190, redshirt senior, Montana (2021)
SPECIAL TEAMS
KR – Malik Flowers, 6-2, 200, redshirt senior, Montana
AP – Ulonzo Gilliam Jr., 5-9, 189, senior, UC Davis
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SECOND TEAM
DEFENSE
LB – David Hoage, 6-3, 250, junior, Northern Colorado
DB – Robby Hauck, 5-10, 185, redshirt senior, Montana
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK – Kyle Sentkowski, 6-0, 209, senior, Sacramento State
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THIRD TEAM
OFFENSE
TE – Marshel Martin, 6-2, 209, junior, Sacramento State
OL – Noah Atagi, 6-4, 325, junior, Weber State
OL – Jake Parks, 6-3, 285, senior, UC Davis
DEFENSE
DB – Eddie Heckard, 5-10, 190, junior, Weber State
SPECIAL TEAMS
AP – Tommy Mellott, 6-0, 195, sophomore, Montana State
