Miles dominated the 2017 All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football team, placing a league-high nine players on the team. The big prizes, though, went to running back Justin Hardy - who was named league Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year - and defensive lineman MarQuel Shelton, the league's top freshman. The team, which features 26 student-athletes covering 30 positions, was voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.

Hardy and Shelton were First Team selections and were joined by offensive lineman Derrick Tucker, Jr., defensive lineman Kaelan Bonds, linebacker Anthony Hardy, defensive back Jawaski Randle, and Nick Christiansen, who was selected to the First Team as the kicker and the punter. Offensive lineman Roger Womack and linebacker Austin Stephens were chosen for the Second Team.

Justin Hardy, a junior from Homewood, Ala., leads the SIAC in total rushing yards (1,197), yards per game (119.7), rushing touchdowns (12), total touchdowns (13), and scoring (78 points). He is currently ninth in Division II in rushing yards and had six 100-yard games and four games with more than 165 yards, including a 210-yard, three touchdown effort against Central State. Hardy had eight plays of more than 50 yards and three touchdowns runs of longer than 80 yards, including an SIAC-long 86-yard touchdown run against Clark Atlanta.

Shelton, a true freshman defensive end from Bessemer, Ala., enjoyed a strong initial campaign. He had 41 tackles where he is tied for the league lead in sacks (9.5) and third in tackles for loss (14). His best performance came against Clark Atlanta, where he set single-game career highs in tackles (seven), solo tackles (six), tackles for loss (3.5), and sacks (2.5).

Christiansen, a senior from Clayton, N.C., leads the league in field goals made and points scored by kicker for third consecutive season. He did not miss a field goal from inside 50 yards this season and had four field goals longer than 50 yards, including two 53-yarders vs. Lane is tied for 18^th in Division II in field goals made, tied for eighth in field goal percentage. He also allowed just three punt returns and 15 punt return yards while averaging more than 40 yards per punt against eight SIAC opponents. This is his third All-SIAC First Team selection as a kicker and adds the punter honors to a Second Team selection in 2016.

Anthony Hardy, a senior from Demopolis, Ala. earns his first All-SIAC honor after leading the Golden Bears in total tackles (87), which is third in the SIAC. He had a season-high 12 tackles in a game against Lane and has three double-digit tackle efforts this season. He also has three games with nine tackles, including a win against Kentucky State, where all of his tackles were solos.

Bonds, a senior from Florence, Ala., led Miles defensive linemen in tackles, was second in tackles for loss and sacks. He earned one SIAC Defensive Player of the Week award after his performance at Fort Valley State, where he had nine tackles (four for loss), three sacks, a safety, and a fumble recovery for touchdown. He is tied for fifth in the  SIAC in sacks and tied for 10th in tackles for loss.

Randle, a senior from Augusta, Ga., had 31 tackles this season. He also led the team in pass breakups. Had six tackles and a forced fumble against Alcorn State. Had six solo tackles and a pass break up versus Morehouse.

Tucker, a senior from Sweet Water, Ala., anchored the Golden Bears top-ranked rushing attack and started every game for Miles this season. He spent the first five games at guard before injuries necessitated a move to right tackle. He allowed just one sack, none once he moved to tackle.

Stephens, a sophomore from Mumford, Ala., Stephens is tied for sixth in the SIAC in total tackles and third in tackles per game. He has four games with at least 10 tackles, including a 16-tackle performance at West Georgia and a 12-tackle game at Alcorn State that also included an interception. His best game came against Albany State, where he had 17 tackles (12 solo), a sack and a forced fumble, which earned him SIAC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Womack, a sophomore from Birmingham, Ala., started every game at left guard for Miles this season. He allowed just two sacks as Miles has given up the third-fewest sacks in the SIAC this season.