NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion University Football placed five players on the Phil Steele Preseason All-Sun Belt team, while linebacker Jason Henderson earned fourth team preseason All-America honors.
Linebacker Mario Thompson and Henderson earned first team honors. Thompson finished third on the team in tackles with 65 a season ago and led the Monarchs with 9.5 tackles for loss and four sacks.
Henderson missed all but one game in 2024 but is a two-time All-American that led the country in tackles per game in 2022 and 2023.
Offensive lineman Zach Barlev and kicker Riley Callaghan were named to the second team. Barlev started all 12 games on the offensive line last year and was named third team All-Sun Belt. He started the first three games at left guard before shifting to left tackle for the final nine games.
A transfer from Southeastern Louisiana, Callagham converted 26-of-27 extra points and was 17-for-22 on field goal attempts in 2024 with a long of 46. A native of Ashburn, Virginia, he earned second team all-conference honors.
Wide receiver Ja’Cory Thomas was named to the fourth team. A transfer from Hutchinson Community College, Thomas had 23 receptions for 375 yards and two touchdowns in 2024 helping lead Hutchinson to a junior college national championship.
Old Dominion Phil Steele Preseason All-Sun Belt Honors
First Team
LB – Jason Henderson
LB – Mario Thompson
Second Team
OT – Zach Barlev
K – Riley Callaghan
Fourth Team
WR – Ja’Cory Thomas
All-American
Fourth Team
LB – Jason Henderson