SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- Slippery Rock University senior center Brandon Fusco was recently named as a first-team member of the Consensus Draft Services Division II Preseason All-America Teams.

"The preseason All-America honor further signifies and validates Brandon's presence 'on the radar screens' of National Football League teams for the 2011 draft," Rock Head Football Coach George Mihalik said. "A number of pro scouts have told us they will be closely watching his efforts this fall."

The Consensus Draft Services honor comes on the heels of Fusco being named to second-team postseason All-America honors last fall by Don Hansen's Football Gazette and is the latest addition to an impressive collection of honors received by the Cranberry Township native and Seneca Valley High School graduate.

Fusco also earned first-team All-Super Region One honors last fall from both the Football Gazette and Daktronics Inc., finished third in the regional balloting for the Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year Award and received first-team All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference-Western Division status for the second consecutive season. He was also named as The Rock's Offensive MVP.

Fusco (6-foot-5, 300 pounds) has been a starter at center for all three of his collegiate campaigns after being redshirted as a true freshman in 2006. He was the mainstay of a Rock offensive line that led the way to the Green and White ranking sixth in the PSAC in rushing offense (146.36 yards per game) and eighth in scoring offense (25.2 points per game) in 2009.

Fusco is one of four Rock starting offensive linemen returning for the 2010 season.

The Rock opens its 2010 season with a Thursday night, Sept. 2 home game vs. Merrimack College on Bob DiSpirito Field at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.