Russell, Wylie Named All-SoCon
11/24/2009 9:21:00 PM | Football
STATESBORO, Ga. - A pair of Georgia Southern defensive linemen received All-Southern Conference honors, and four Eagles were named to the All-Freshman Team. The league office announced the postseason awards Tuesday (Nov. 24), voted on by the head coaches.
Head coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players. Georgia Southern (5-6 overall) closed out its season last Saturday with a 13-6 win over The Citadel.
Redshirt-freshman Brent Russell (Comer/Madison County) and senior Markeith Wylie (Washington/Washington-Wilkes) earned Second Team All-SoCon honors. Russell, wide receivers Patrick Barker (Ponte Vedra, FL/Nease) and Jamere Valentine (Myrtle Beach, S.C./Myrtle Beach) and defensive back Darius Eubanks (Harlem/Thomson) represented the Eagles on the Freshman team. Georgia Southern's four selections were one shy of the league-lead.
Russell tied for 55th nationally in sacks (team-leading 6.0 in 11 games) and stands 84th in tackles for a loss (11.0). Starting in all 11 games, he is the second-highest ranked freshman in the country in sacks. Russell finished with 48 tackles, blocked three kicks, recorded an interception and forced a fumble.
Wyle, earning the first All-SoCon accolades of his career, started eight times while playing in all 11 games. He shared team-high honors with 11.0 TFL (with Russell) and recorded three sacks. He led the Eagles and ranked second in the league recovering three fumbles, in addition to his 30 tackles. He recorded his first collegiate points with a safety during the second half at North Carolina.
Eubanks finished second on the team making 58 tackles. He recorded four TFL, one sack, an interception and broke up two passes. He forced two fumbles and recovered one of them. Eubanks also played in all 11 games, making 10 starts at rover.
Valentine led the receiving corps with 51 receptions (tied 64th nationally with 4.6 per game) totaling 487 yards and a team-leading four TD receptions. His 51 catches were the second-highest season total in program history, and Valentine finished as the nation's top-ranked freshman in receptions per game.
Barker moved into the starting line-up early in the season and stayed there, making seven starts while playing in all 11 games. He finished third on the team with 40 receptions totaling 255 yards and a touchdown. Barker finished fourth among the GS season 'Top 10' leaders in receptions.
2009 Coaches All-Southern Conference Football Team
Offensive Player of the Year - Armanti Edwards, Sr., QB, Appalachian State
Defensive Player of the Year - Josh Beard, Sr., DE, Chattanooga
Freshman of the Year - Michael Johnson, RB, Western Carolina
Jacobs Blocking Award - Mario Acitelli, Sr., OL, Appalachian State
Co-Coaches of the Year - Jerry Moore, Appalachian State and Russ Huesman, Chattanooga
First Team Offense
QB Armanti Edwards, Sr., Appalachian State
RB Chris Evans, Jr., Samford
RB Devon Moore, Jr., Appalachian State
OL Mario Acitelli, Sr., Appalachian State
OL David Harrison, Sr., Elon
OL Pat Illig, Jr., Wofford
OL Jon Weber, Sr., Samford
OL Chris Werden, Sr., Elon
TE Ben Jorden, So., Appalachian State
WR Terrell Hudgins, Sr., Elon
WR Andre Roberts, Sr., The Citadel
First Team Defense
DL Josh Beard, Sr., Chattanooga
DL Jabari Fletcher, Jr., Appalachian State
DL Andre Campbell, Sr., Elon
DL Eric Ludwig, Sr., Elon
LB Jacque Roman, Sr., Appalachian State
LB D.J. Smith, Jr., Appalachian State
LB Bryce Smith, Jr., Samford
LB (tie) Joshua Jones, So., Elon
DB Mark LeGree, Jr., Appalachian State
DB Karlos Sullivan, Sr., Elon
DB Buster Skrine, Jr., Chattanooga
DB Cortez Gilbert, Sr., Appalachian State
First Team Specialists
PK Craig Camay, Sr., Chattanooga
P Chris Tommie, Sr., Wofford
RS Andre Roberts, Sr., The Citadel
Second Team Offense
QB Scott Riddle, Jr., Elon
RB Jamal Shuman, So., Elon
RB Tersoo Uhaa, So., Furman
OL Tyler Haynes, Sr., Furman
OL Chris Harr, Jr., Chattanooga
OL Daniel DeHaven, Sr., The Citadel
OL Clark Bishop, Jr., Wofford
OL Brett Irvin, Jr., Appalachian State
TE Alex Sellars, Jr., The Citadel
TE (tie) Chris Truss, Sr., Furman
WR Blue Cooper, Sr., Chattanooga
WR CoCo Hillary, Jr., Appalachian State
Second Team Defense
DL Terrence Reese, Sr., The Citadel
DL Brent Russell, Fr., Georgia Southern
DL Malcolm Bennett, Sr., Appalachian State
DL Markeith Wylie, Sr., Georgia Southern
DL (tie) John Michael Clay, Jr., Samford
LB Adrian McLeod, Sr., Western Carolina
LB Joseph Thornton, Sr., Chattanooga
LB Jordon Gilmore, Sr., The Citadel
DB Cameron McGlenn, Sr., Elon
DB Nolan Ward, Sr., Elon
DB Julian Hicks, Sr., Furman
DB Ed Gainey, So., Appalachian State
Second Team Specialists
PK Jason Vitaris, Jr., Appalachian State
P Bob Hooper, So., Samford
RS CoCo Hillary, Jr., Appalachian State
2009 Southern Conference All-Freshman Football Team
All-Freshman Offense
Tommy Edwards, QB, The Citadel
Van Dyke Jones, RB, The Citadel
Miguel Starks, QB, The Citadel
Jeremy Peterson, WR, Elon
Jerry Williams, RB, Furman
Patrick Barker, WR, Georgia Southern
Jamere Valentine, WR, Georgia Southern
George Allers, OL, Samford
Charlie Sanford, OL, Samford
Chris Awuah, RB, Chattanooga
Michael Johnson, RB, Western Carolina
All-Freshman Defense
Michael Frazier, LB, Appalachian State
Justin Lloyd, LB, Appalachian State
Chris Billingslea, DL, The Citadel
Joseph Boateng, DB, The Citadel
Dale Riley, LB, Elon
Josh Lynn, DL, Furman
Nathan Wade, DB, Furman
Darius Eubanks, DB, Georgia Southern
Brent Russell, DL, Georgia Southern
Joshua Williams, DL, Chattanooga
SeQuan Stanley, LB, Wofford
All-Freshman Specialists
Sam Martin, P, Appalachian State
Adam Shreiner, PK, Elon
Cameron Yaw, PK, Samford
