The football world is recognizing the strides made by John Carroll.

The John Carroll football team was selected to finish second by the coaches and by the media at the annual OAC Football Preview Day at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton on Tuesday.

We have incredible players, incredible talent," said head coach Tom Arth. "But more important has been our growth as players, coaches, and as a program."

"It's our job to instill belief in our players, that if they play to their ability, we can achieve all of our goals … if we take it play-by-play, the results are excellent."

The Blue Streaks are looking to capitalize off a 2014 season in which they finished 11-2 and reached the NCAA quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. D3Football.com has placed the team at #8 in the preseason top-25.

"The key to our success is to put our destiny in our own hands," said senior defensive lineman David Porter. "It's nice to say you want to be national champion, but you have to take it practice by practice, day by day, and week by week to get there."

Senior offensive tackle Anthony Latina and senior linebacker Andy Bryan also represented John Carroll at media day.

John Carroll earned 242 points in the media poll, with two media members selecting the Blue Streaks to finish first. Mount Union racked up 268 points and 25 first-place votes.

In the coaches poll, Mount Union also led the way with 81 points and nine of 10 first-place votes. John Carroll received 73 points and the other first-place vote. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.

"At this point, [the poll] doesn't mean as much as what we can improve on," senior offensive lineman Latina said. "If we achieve our goals, we'll be first in all the postseason polls--that's where we want to be."

Bryan expressed excitement over being able to represent the University and conference at media day.

"It means everything," said Bryan. "Being at the Pro Football Hall of Fame and what it represents, to be part of this conference and present JCU is awesome."

The poll results for both coaches and media are as follows (first-place votes in parentheses):

Coaches:
1. Mount Union (9)
2. John Carroll (1)
3. Heidelberg
4. Ohio Northern
5. Baldwin Wallace
6. Otterbein
7. Muskingum
8. Capital
9. Marietta
10. Wilmington

Media:
1. Mount Union (25)
2. John Carroll (2)
3. Ohio Northern
4. Heidelberg
5. Baldwin Wallace
6. Otterbein
7. Muskingum
8. Capital
9. Marietta
10. Wilmington