BRIDGEWATER, N.J. - Five members of the Long Island University football team earned preseason all-conference recognition, the NEC announced on Monday. Redshirt junior quarterback Ethan Greenwood, sophomore wide receiver Cory Nichols, senior edge rusher DQ Watkins, senior defensive back Todd Bowles Jr., and senior punter Will Lynch were all named preseason all-conference selections as the Sharks were selected to finish in a tie for third place in the preseason coaches' poll.

Last season, Greenwood collected Stats Perform Third-Team All-America recognition and Second-Team All-NEC honors at quarterback. He ranked third in the NEC and led all quarterbacks with 913 rushing yards and 76.1 rushing yards per game. Both marks ranked Greenwood within the top 50 in the FCS statistics and third-best among all FCS quarterbacks.

Through the air, Greenwood threw for 921 yards with six touchdowns and just two interceptions. He accounted for 13 of the Sharks' 35 touchdowns in 2024, tacking on five rushing scores while catching two more.

So far this preseason, Greenwood has also been named a Stats Perform Second-Team All-American, an FCS Central Third-Team All-American, and a member of the Walter Payton Award Watch List.

Nichols appeared in all 12 games of his freshman season, catching 21 passes with one touchdown grab. He averaged13.6 yards per catch to rank 11^th in the NEC.

Watkins started all 12 games last season and earned second-team all-conference honors, compiling 41.0 total tackles (22 assisted, 19 solo), 8.5 tackles for loss (12^th NEC), and 5.5 sacks (5^th NEC). He added four quarterback hits, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one interception, and two pass breakups.

In his first season with the Sharks, Bowles Jr. made 10 appearances and recorded 20 tackles with three pass breakups, all career highs.

Lynch attempted 50 punts in 2024 with an average of 36.2 yards and a long 53 yards. He forced 15 fair catches and placed 10 punts inside the 20-yard line with just one touchback.

The Sharks open the 2025 season against the University of Florida on Saturday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m., and will play their home opener on Saturday, Sept. 13, against Sacred Heart University at 12 p.m. Season ticket packages for all five LIU home games can be purchased here.