Five Mustangs Land On 2023 Senior Bowl Watch List

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From SMUMustangs.com:

Five Mustangs Land On 2023 Senior Bowl Watch List

MOBILE, Ala. (SMU) – Five Mustangs open the season on the 2023 Senior Bowl Watch List, as announced by the Reese's Senior Bowl on Wednesday.

Rashee Rice, Jaylon Thomas, Elijah Chatman, DeVere Levelston and Isaac Slade-Matautia add the honor to an already extensive list of preseason accolades.

Rice opens the season on the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List and has earned All-American Athletic Conference preseason accolades from Phil Steele, Dave Campbell's, College Football News and Athlon Sports. He was ranked No. 50 on DCTF's Lone Star List and No. 8 on CFN'S top AAC players list. Rice is also on the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List.

He started all 12 games and lead the Mustangs with 64 catches and nine TDs (3rd AAC), while his 670 yards were second (10th AAC). Rice Averaged 55.8 yards per game (10th AAC) and 5.3 receptions per game (6th AAC). He opened the 2021 season with a touchdown reception in five straight games.

Thomas saw action in all 12 games, making nine starts. He helped the Mustangs to national rankings of ninth in scoring offense (38.4), 13th in total offense (465.9), 14th in passing offense (304.5) and 17th in sacks allowed (1.33). This season, he has been named to All-AAC preseason teams by Phil Steele, Athlon Sports Pro Football Focus and College Football News. He is also CFN's No. 14 player on the AAC top 30 list and is on the Shrine Bowl 1000 List.

Chatman is on preseason watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski and Outland Trophies and the Rotary Lombardi Award and opens the 2022 season as an All-AAC selection by Phil Steele and Athlon Sports, while being mentioned on the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List.

In 2021, Chatman saw action in all 12 games, making 11 starts, and registered 40 tackles, including 10 TFLs for 39 yards and 2.5 sacks for 19. He added a team-high two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and three quarterback hurries.

Levelston started 11 of 12 games in 2021 and registered 38 tackles (19 solo), including team highs of 10.5 TFLs for 41 yards and 6.5 sacks (2nd AAC) for 30. He added five QB hurries and a fumble recovery.

He has already been honored as a preseason all-league selection by Phil Steele, Athlon Spots, Dave Campbell's and Pro Football Focus. Dave Campbell's also named him No. 48 on their Lone Star 50 list. He adds a nod on the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List to his accolades.

Slade-Matautia saw action in all 12 games in 2021. He registered 31 tackles, including 2.5 TFLs and a sack, added a team-high two interceptions for 27 yards and had a fumble recovery and two pass breakups. He also opens the 2022 season on the Butkus Award and Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Watch Lists and the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List.