HILLSBORO, Ore. –  Rising sophomore offensive tackle Jamaul Lofton is the latest Northwest football standout to garner national preseason recognition, as JCGridiron.com announced his addition to the Offensive Tackle Watch List late Thursday afternoon.

Lofton is the eighth Ranger to be recognized in the online publication's position watch lists, joining fellow sophomores Jayce Rogers, Cam White, Braden Smith, Quay Mays, Justin Jackson, Robert Hentz II and redshirt sophomore Tyren Irby.

A native of Batesville, Miss., Lofton played a pivotal role on the Rangers' offensive front last season, seeing action in all 10 games and starting in eight. The South Panola product helped pave the way for Jacob Free's conference-leading 2,036 passing yards and a three-headed rushing attack in Chris Calvert, Jaxton Carson and Kevin Perkins, with all three combining for 1,182 yards on the ground.

Despite being currently unranked on Rivals and 247sports, Lofton recently received an offer from Alcorn State and more are likely to follow as the 2019 season gets underway. Out of high school, Lofton generated interest from Jackson State and Southeast Missouri.

As a team, the Rangers have been ranked in three national preseason polls, the highest being No. 7 from JCGridiron.com. Northwest has also been tapped eighth by College Football America and 12th nationally by Street & Smith's.