Over the past three seasons, Picayune’s Lorenzo Breland has established himself as one of the top offensive lineman in the Southwest Athletic Conference.

And as the senior center enters his final year at Jackson State, he was honored for his play by the league’s coaches on Tuesday.

The SWAC mentors voted the massive 6-foot-2, 315-pound Breland to its preseason all-conference first team during league Media Day activities in Birmingham, Ala.

Breland, a former Maroon Tide standout, is heading into his fourth season as a starter for the Tigers after getting awarded a red-shirt year to extend his career.

“It’s a big honor for me personally, but actually most of my goals are team goals,” Breland said. “My main focus is to win the conference title this season and help Jackson State restore the rich football tradition it used to have before I leave here.”

The son of Larry and Brenda Breland of Picayune was the only JSU player picked for the first team. His teammate, defensive lineman Corey Clark, was the only other Tiger selected for the first team.

“With this being my senior year, I think the coaches are expecting me to step up more into a leadership role because there will be other players looking up to me,” Breland added. “The center is normally kind of like the leader of the offensive line anyway, so I am used to preparing for that role. I want my last year at Jackson State to be a big one.”

Breland and his Tiger teammates open the 2007 season on Saturday, Sept. 1, in Veterans Memorial Stadium by hosting Delta State. That game will pit Breland against another former Maroon Tide teammate, as Corderis Brown is slated to suit up for the Statesmen.

Breland will also get a chance to shine on national TV a few times this year, as JSU is slated to have at least three games televised.

Breland was also recently given the academic award for the football team at the annual JSU awards banquet.

The complete All-SWAC Preseason team can be found in the Scoreboard section.