COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – The Saint John's University football team was ranked ninth in The Sporting News' Division III Preseason poll, published in its college football preview issue out on newsstands now.

In addition, senior linebacker Carter Hanson (Blue Earth, Minn.) was named to The Sporting News' Division III Preseason All-America team. 

The article noted the following:

"The rebuilding process is almost complete at Saint John's. With 15 of 22 starters back, the Johnnies will feature one of the nation's best defenses. Linebacker Carter Hanson and lineman Peyton Thiry are candidates for postseason honors."

SJU ended the 2015 season ranked No. 10 nationally and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs for the second consecutive year, finishing with a 10-2 overall record (7-1 MIAC). 

A two-time D3football.com All-West Region second-team honoree, Hanson started all 12 games and finished second on the team, by one tackle, with 97 stops (35 solo) in 2015. A two-time All-MIAC first-team selection and a 2015 Academic All-American, Hanson collected six tackles for a loss, 1.5 sack, an interception, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery for a touchdown and was named D3football.com All-America honorable mention. He recorded at least six tackles in 10 of the 12 games and begins his senior season this fall seventh in school history with 119 career solo tackles.

The Johnnies open the 2016 season with a 1 p.m. kickoff Sept. 3 against St. Scholastica in Clemens Stadium, the first of five regular-season home games this fall. SJU is expected to return 13 of their 24 starters (five on offense, six on defense and both special-teams specialists) in 2016.