PITTSBURGH - Duquesne senior offensive lineman Alex Conley (Akron, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) and junior running back A.J. Hines (Wilson, N.C./Fike) were each named to the 2018 HERO Sports Preseason FCS All-America Team, the organization announced on Tuesday. Both Conley and Hines garnered third team honors for the Dukes.

Conley, a first team All-Northeast Conference selection in 2017, started all 11 games at left tackle for Duquesne in 2017 for the second consecutive season. He was part of the DU offensive line which helped the Dukes pace the NEC and rank 21st in the FCS in rushing offense, averaging 198.5 yards on the ground per game.

Conley also helped the Duquesne offense sit 10th nationally for tackles for loss allowed and 28th in sacks allowed per game.

Hines, a two-time first team All-NEC pick, enters his junior season with the Dukes ranked eighth in school history with 2,329 rushing yards to go with 23 career rushing touchdowns and 13 100-yard rushing performances through two seasons.

In 2017, he ranked second in the NEC and sixth in the country averaging 115.3 rushing yards per game while racking up 10 rushing touchdowns.

HERO Sports also named Hines a Sophomore All-American in 2017 and a Freshman All-American in 2016 in addition to winning the Jerry Rice Award for his performance in his debut campaign in 2016.

Other HERO Sports All-America honorees from the NEC were Central Connecticut State offensive lineman Connor Mignone (third team) and Saint Francis U wide receiver Kamron Lewis (third team).

The Dukes are slated to open the 2018 campaign on the road at FBS Massachusetts on Aug. 25.