CHICAGO -- Three University of Delaware football standouts - cornerback Anthony Walters, safety Charles Graves, and tight end Josh Baker - have been named to the College Sporting News Pre-Season All-American team.

The three Blue Hens were among 47 Colonial Athletic Association players named to the first three teams and an honorable mention squad. The College Sporting News is a leading NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision website.

Walters, a junior from Philadelphia, Pa. (Cardinal O’Hara High School), was named to the first team, Graves, a senior from Raleigh, N.C. (Southeast Raleigh HS), was picked on the third team, and Baker, a senior from Chesapeake, Va. (Western Branch HS), was recognized on the honorable mention team.

Walter, a third-year starter, teams with Graves to give Delaware one of the nation’s top defensive secondary units. Walters played most of last season at strong safety but will return to cornerback in 2009. He started all 15 games as a sophomore in 2007 and led the Blue Hens to the national championship game when he posted 63 tackles, intercepted three passes, and broke up a team-high nine passes. As a junior in 2008, he ranked third on the squad with 64 and ranked second on the team with four interceptions while also breaking up four others.

Graves, a Buck Buchanan Award candidate as the top defensive player in the nation, enjoyed an outstanding junior campaign in 2008 when he led a Blue Hen defensive unit. He led the team with 78 tackles, including 43 solo stops, and ranked among the league leaders with five interceptions. He also ranked second on the team with five pass breakups and also recovered two fumbles, returning one 45 yards for a touchdown vs. Massachusetts. For his efforts he earned second team All-American honors by the Associated Press, was a first team All-CAA pick, and was selected to the College Sporting News Fabulous Fifty FCS All-American team.

Baker returns to the Blue Hen lineup after sitting out all of the 2008 season. A two-year letterwinner, he is expected to be one of the team’s top pass-catching threats after hauling in 22 passes for 344 yards (16.4 average) and two touchdowns for the Hens’ national runner-up squad.

The CAA placed 12 players on the 29-player first team, had nine players on the second team, 11 players on the third team, and 16 on the honorable mention team.

Delaware will open its 2009 season Friday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. when the Hens host West Chester at Delaware Stadium. Tickets can be purchased on-line at www.bluehens.com, via TicketMaster by phone, and in person at the Bob Carpenter Center Box Office.