SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – The Shepherd University football team is ranked second in the 2022 College Football America Division II Preseason Top 30. Additionally, senior quarterback Tyson Bagent (Martinsburg, W.Va./Martinsburg), senior offensive lineman Joey Fisher (Hagerstown, Md./Clear Spring), and sophomore wide receiver Ryan Beach (Frederick, Md./Northwest) garnered 2022 College Football America Yearbook Division II Preseason Starting Lineup accolades.

Bagent, the 2021 Harlon Hill Trophy winner, led the Rams to a 13-2 mark last season and an appearance in the national semifinals. He completed 391-of-579 passes for 5,000 yards and 53 touchdowns. Bagent led NCAA Division II in passing yards (5,000), touchdown passes (53), and points responsible for (338). He passed for four touchdowns or more in nine games. A five-time PSAC East Offensive Athlete of the Week last season, Bagent also threw for 300 yards or more in 10 contests.

Fisher keyed a Shepherd offensive line that helped Shepherd lead all NCAA II schools in first downs offense (369) in 2021. The Rams also ranked second in third down conversion percentage (.550), third in total offense (502.7), while ranking fourth in completion percentage (.671), passing offense (337.3), and scoring offense (43.7).

Beach was named PSAC East Rookie of the Year as he topped the Shepherd receivers with 98 receptions for 1,199 yards and 13 touchdowns. He had 100 receiving yards or more in four games. 

The 2022 College Football America Yearbook features more than 900 college football teams from the United States and Canada in more than 250 striking, full-color pages. That includes every team from the NCAA (FBS, FCS, Division II and Division III), NAIA, NJCAA, CCCAA and U Sports (Canada). It also includes dozens of action shots and stadium photos taken by the CFA staff.

The print edition is available online via Amazon.com and other major retailers such as Barnes & Noble.

2022 College Football America Division II Preseason Top 30
1. Ferris State
2. Shepherd
3. Valdosta State
4. Colorado Mines
5. Angelo State
6. Bowie State
7. Northwest Missouri State
8. Grand Valley State
9. Notre Dame (OH)
10. West Georgia
11. Harding
12. Kutztown
13. Nebraska-Kearney
14. New Haven
15. Newberry
16. West Florida
17. Bemidji State
18. California (PA)
19. Lenoir-Rhyne
20. Albany State
21. Slippery Rock
22. Western Colorado
23. Minnesota Duluth
24. Henderson State
25. Washburn
26. Augustana (SD)
27. Ouachita Baptist
28. Bentley
29. Findlay
30. Central Washington

2022 College Football America Division II Starting Lineup

Offense
Pos., Name, School, Class
QB Tyson Bagent, Shepherd, Sr.
RB Dwayne McGee, Lenoir-Rhyne, So.
RB Josh Cummings, Western Colorado, Sr.
WR Ryan Beach, Shepherd, So.
WR Keilahn Harris, Oklahoma Baptist, Jr.
TE Hunter Budke, Fort Hays State, Sr.
OL Zein Obeid, Ferris State, Sr.
OL Jacob Bruce, West Florida, Jr.
OL Quinton Bobo, Bowie State, Sr.
OL Joey Fisher, Shepherd, Sr.
C Bryce Perkins, California (PA), Sr.

Defense
Pos., Name, School, Class
DL Caleb Murphy, Ferris State, Jr.
DL Tylen Coleman, Western New Mexico, Jr.
DL Tyler Tate, Millersville, Sr.
LB Nolan Reeve, Colorado Mines, Sr.
LB Ben Straatmann, Missouri S&T, Sr.
LB Carter Duxbury, Winona State, Sr.
DB Jermal Martin Jr., California (PA), Sr.
DB Tristan Rankin, Mars Hill, Jr.
DB Kobe Cummings, Missouri Western, Sr.
DB Antoine Holloway II, Notre Dame (OH), Jr.

Special Teams
Pos., Name, School, Class
P Clayton Crile, Catawba, Jr.
PK Ritse Vaes, Midwestern State, So.
KR Kory Gainwell, Delta State, So.
PR Marcus Taylor, Ferris State, Sr.
AP Jordan Terrell, Barton, So.