CB Marcus Williams, WR/RS Ryan Smith Named to 2012 BSN.com Preseason All-America Team

North Dakota State University cornerback Marcus Williams was named to the 2012 Beyond Sports Network.com Preseason Football Championship Subdivision All-America first team, while wide receiver/return specialist Ryan Smith was honorable mention. 

Williams, a 5-foot-11, 195-pound junior from Minneapolis, Minn. (Hopkins H.S.), has started in all 29 games played during his career and has at least one pass defended in 24 of those contests. He has 11 career interceptions.

Smith, a 5-foot-7, 174-pound junior from Wahpeton, N.D. (Wahpeton H.S.), was second on the team with 44 receptions for 531 yards and one touchdown. He averaged 12.1 yards per catch.

Smith ranked 13th nationally in NCAA Division I FCS punt returns, taking in 25 for 261 yards and one touchdown. He averaged 10.48 yards per return.

Smith was honorable mention on the all-Missouri Valley Football Conference team. He also earned player of the week honors and MVFC all-academic second team honors.

North Dakota State won the program’s first NCAA Division I Football Championship with a 17-6 win over Sam Houston State on Jan. 7 and also claimed the program's first Missouri Valley Football Conference title. The Bison were 14-1 overall and 7-1 in MVFC.

The Bison open the 2012 season against Robert Morris at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, in the Fargodome.