DAVIS, Calif. – The UC Davis football team was tabbed No. 22 in the AFCA FCS Coaches' Top 25 Poll, the association announced Monday.

The No. 22 ranking is the highest of the preseason and marks the third time the Aggies have cracked the top 25 this summer. UC Davis recently was ranked No. 25 in the Stats Perform and Hero Sports FCS Preseason Polls.

The Big Sky boasts five other teams in the top 25, including three on the Aggies schedule in No. 4 Montana State, No. 7 Sacramento State and No. 20 Weber State. Week two opponent South Dakota State checks in at No. 3 in the preseason poll.

UC Davis returns 10 offensive players that started more than half the games and eight on the defensive side of the ball, including senior running back Ulonzo Gilliam, Jr. The Merced native enters the 2022 season on the Walter Payton Award watch list and was named the Big Sky Preseason Offensive Player of the year on top of earning Stats Perform and Phil Steele Preseason All-America and Preseason All-Big Sky accolades.

Also garnering multiple preseason accolades was senior guard Jake Parks. The Huntington Beach, Calif., native who has started 42-straight contests was named a Phil Steele and Stats Perform Preseason All-American along with All-Big Sky preseason honors.

Senior Tight End McCallan Castles and the versatile running back Lan Larison were tabbed Phil Steele Preseason All-Americans, while Castles added Hero Sports preseason honors.

The UC Davis football team opens the 2022 season against Pac-12 foe California on Saturday, Sept. 3. 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 are on sale now, and season tickets are still available. For more information, click HERE or call 530-752-2471.