Sophomore cornerback Devont'a Davis is back with the Youngstown State football team after leaving the program earlier this summer, a source said Thursday.

Davis (6-1, 175), who transferred to YSU last summer after a year at Miami (Fla.), appeared in seven games last fall, including five starts. He had 16 tackles and two pass break-ups, showing flashes of his potential while battling inconsistent play.

Davis, however, fell to second string on the depth chart this spring under new defensive coordinator Joe Tresey and new cornerbacks coach Glenn Davis, which may have prompted his earlier decision.

Also, former Ursuline High standout Dale Peterman is academically eligible and will play football for the first time in more than a year.

Peterman was an All-Ohio defensive back for the Irish in 2008 and is best known for his game-winning interception return for a touchdown in the regional final against Kirtland that season. Two weeks later, Ursuline won the first of three straight Division V state titles.

Peterman originally signed with Syracuse as a senior, but didn’t qualify academically. He instead spent one season at Georgia Military College, then played last fall for the City College of San Francisco. He sat out last season trying to get his grades in order and was a fixture at YSU's spring practices.

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YSU was picked to finish third in the preseason Missouri Valley Football Conference poll, with four Penguins getting preseason all-conference honors: QB Kurt Hess, RB Jamaine Cook and linemen Chris Elkins and Mark Pratt.

LB Teven Williams was an honorable mention pick.

I also picked YSU third on the preseason ballot and had Cook, Hess and Pratt on my preseason all-conference team. Williams and Elkins are deserving, too.

The selections show YSU has earned more respect in the league after last year's 6-5 season.

For all my selections, go here: http://www.vindy.com/news/2012/jul/21/how-will-ysu-fare-in-the-mvfc/">http://www.vindy.com/news/2012/jul/21/how-will-ysu-fare-in-the-mvfc/

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This is the first time I've updated this blog since the spring but I plan on updating it more this season, so check back. You can also follow me on Twitter at @JoeScalzo1.