RICHARDSON, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor has been picked to win the 2017 American Southwest Conference football title after a vote of the league's head coaches, sports information directors and media members, the ASC office announced on Friday (Aug. 18).

UMHB junior quarterback/wide receiver T.J. Josey, Cru senior defensive tackle Haston Adams and Hardin-Simmons University senior return specialist Alex Bell were named the ASC Preseason Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Year, respectively.

Mary Hardin-Baylor (15-0 / 6-0 ASC) received 297 points in the preseason poll and recorded 27 out of a possible 30 first-place votes. UMHB is coming off a national title run in 2016, winning their 12th consecutive ASC title in the process. The Cru’s stout defense led the NCAA with eight defensive touchdowns and 34 interceptions last year. They are also the top vote getter in the D3football.com Top 25 Preseason Poll.

Hardin-Simmons (9-2 / 5-1 ASC) received 272 points, including three first-place votes, to come in second in the preseason poll. HSU has finished no lower than fourth in the league standings in each of the last 21 seasons, including a three-way tie for the championship in 2015.

East Texas Baptist (7-3 / 3-3 ASC) was picked third in the preseason poll with 214 points. The Tigers claimed a share of their second ASC title with a three-way tie in 2015. They led the nation in scoring offense with 49.9 points and were second with 564.3 yards of total offense per game last season.

McMurry University enters its final season of a four-year transition into Division III. McMurry’s games will now count toward the conference standings and is eligible for the ASC regular season title. Belhaven University enters its third year of transition into Division III athletics and will count in the standings as well.

Southwestern University and Texas Lutheran University join the ASC this season as affiliate members. Both schools have previously competed in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.

Josey, from Angleton, Texas, will make the conversion from wide receiver to quarterback in 2017.  A year ago, he was the Cru’s leading receiver with 1,063 yards and eight touchdowns on 52 catches. Josey ranked 18th in the nation in receiving yards in 2016.

Adams, from Beckville, Texas, was a D3football.com Preseason All-American First Team selection after earning Second Team honors last year. He recorded 17.5 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, 53 tackles and recovered three fumbles for 77 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Bell, from Midland, Texas, was also a D3football.com Preseason All-American First Teamer and was a Second Team selection in 2016. He led the nation with a 37.6 kickoff return average and three touchdowns. He also recorded a 12.5 punt return average and had 43 catches for 683 yards and nine touchdowns.

The 2017 season gets underway Thursday, Aug. 31 as Belhaven hosts Millsaps and McMurry plays at Oklahoma Panhandle State.

The NCAA Division III Football Championship playoffs begin Nov. 18, with the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl national championship game scheduled for Dec. 15 in Salem, Va.