SAN DIEGO—San Diego had seven players named to the 2021 Preseason All-Pioneer Football League Team, as announced Wednesday by the league.
 
Michael Carner (WR), Derek Kline (TE), and DJ Wright (OL) were named to the offensive team, while Kyle Bilchik (LB), Kama Kamaka (NB), Michael Hawkins (CB) and Hunter Nichols (SAF) represented the Toreros on the defensive side of the ball. All seven Toreros were recognized on the All-PFL First Team last season.
 
The Toreros—who were picked to finish second in the PFL preseason coaches' poll earlier this week—led the league with seven scholar-athletes on the preseason team. Morehead State was second with six preseason selections, while defending champion Davidson and Dayton each had five players recognized.
 
Carner was San Diego's leading receiver during the spring 2021 season, hauling in 35 catches for 538 yards and four touchdowns. Kline, a unanimous First Team pick in the spring, finished with 22 catches for 287 yards and three touchdowns and earned a HERO Sports FCS Sophomore All-America nod. They're joined by two-time All-PFL first team DJ Wright, who was part of an offensive line that allowed just seven sacks last season.
 
Defensively, the Toreros return their top four leading tacklers led by Bilchik with 38 total tackles (19 solo) and 4.5 tackles for loss. Nichols finished second on the team with 37 tackles (21 solo) and 4.5 tackles for loss, while Hawkins collected 35 tackles (19 solo) and a team-best two interceptions. Kamaka led the defense with 23 solo stops (32 total tackles), adding three hurries.
 
The upcoming 2021 season marks the 29th year for the Pioneer Football League—the nation's only non-scholarship, football-only NCAA Football Championship Subdivision conference. The league will feature 11 teams each playing an eight-game schedule to determine the league champion and recipient of the automatic bid to the NCAA FCS Championship.
 
USD kicks off the fall 2021 season at home in Torero Stadium on Sept. 4 against Cal Poly. The Toreros will face a tough nonconference schedule against three Big Sky opponents before PFL play begins Sept. 25 against defending champion, Davidson in North Carolina.
 
2021 Preseason All-PFL Team
Offense
Michael Carner (WR)*
Derek Kline (TE)*
DJ Wright (OL)**

Defense
Kyle Bilchik (LB)*
Kama Kamaka (NB)**
Michael Hawkins (CB)*
Hunter Nichols (SAF)*
 
*Number of All-PFL First Team selections