Sun Belt All-Freshman Football Team

(Created by Sun Belt beat writers independent of conference office)

OFFENSE

OL – Bryce Giddens (ASU) – Started 10 games at center. One of best linemen on SBC’s top scoring and rushing offense.

OL – Mykhael Quave (ULL) – Started all 12 games at right tackle; ULL ranked second in the Sun Belt in rushing yards and allowed just 12 sacks.

OL – Darius Johnson (MTSU) – Started all 12 games at left tackle; team ranked third nationally in fewest sacks allowed.

OL – Roberto Loya (MTSU) – Played 11 games, part-time with starting team at tackle; 2 starts; Team ranked third nationally in fewest sacks allowed.

OL – Chris May (USA) – One of team’s best linemen by season’s end. Started last 7 games at left tackle.

RB – Jordan Parker (MTSU) – 851 rush yds. (MTSU freshman record), 3 TDs, 6 starts after Benny Cunningham’s injury.

RB – Antoinne Jimmerson (UNT) – 544 rush yds, 12 rec., 205 rec. yds., 8 total TDs.

RB – Effrem Reed (ULL) – 12 games, 411 rush yds, 5 TDs, 7 rec., 66 yds.

QB – EJ Hilliard (FIU) – 49-of-68 passing, 441 yds, 4 TD, 1 INT; 72 rush yds; 3 starts (all against bowl teams) and played second half vs. Louisville.

TE – Harley Scioneaux (ULM) – 11 games, 2 starts; Good run blocker. 3 TD catches. First career start in win over Arkansas. Caught two TD passes vs. Auburn.

WR – J.D. McKissic (ASU) – Sun Belt freshman of year; second-team All-Sun Belt; 92 rec., 909 yds, 4 TDs

WR – Christian Collis (MTSU) – 18 rec., 206 yds., 2 TDs, 11 starts

WR- Rashon Ceasar (ULM) – 18 rec, 239 yds, 2 TD

WR – Carlos Harris (UNT) – 19 rec, 263 yards, 1 TD

WR – Austin Aikens (WKU) – 8 rec, 217 yards, 27.1 avg, 2 TDs

DEFENSE

DL – Gerrand Johnson (ULM) – 10 starts, 50 tackles, 6 TFL, 4 sacks, 2 FF, 3 QBH.

DL – Trevon Coley (FAU) – 39 tackles, 1.5 sacks.

DL – Brandin Bryant (FAU) – 31 tackles, 4.5 TFL.

DL – Gavin Rocker (WKU) – 11 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 sacks.

LB – Tyler Roberts (Troy) – 35 tackles (25 solo), 6.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 FF.

LB – T.T. Barber (MTSU) – 43 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1 INT, 1 FF; 6 starts at weakside linebacker.

LB – Dominique Tovell (ULL) – 6 starts at OLB; 21 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 sack, 1 PBU.

DB – Kevin Byard (MTSU) – 12 starts; Phil Steele’s freshman All-American team; second-team All-Sun Belt; 74 tackles, 4 INT, 2 FF.

DB – Zac Whitfield (UNT) – Second-team All-Sun Belt; Led SBC w/ 15 passes defended; 3 INT, 12 pass breakups, 1 FF, 60 tackles.

DB – Mitch Lane (ULM) – 39 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 1 INT, 4 PBU, 1 FR; starter until injured in Week 7.

DB – T.J. Worthy (ULL) – In safety rotation; 3 starts; 44 tackles (27 solo), 1 FR.

DB – Cre’von LeBlanc (FAU) – 9 starts, 42 tackles, 1 TFL, 4 PBU.

SPECIAL TEAMS/ALL-PURPOSE

P – Sean Kelly (FAU) – Led league in punts over 50 yards and had double-digit inside 20 yd-line. 39.9 avg.

PK – Garrett Schwettman (WKU) – 10-13 FGs, 39-40 PATs, 69 pts.

RET – Cortney Davis (ULM) – 30 kick return, 652 yards, 21.7 avg. (6th in SBC)

AP – Rocky Hayes (ASU) – 50 carries, 481 rush yds. (9.6 avg.), 3 TDs, 8 rec, 39 rec. yds, 342 KR yds, 33 PR yds, 895 all-purpose yds.

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TEAM BREAKDOWN

MTSU – 6

ULM – 5

FAU – 4

ULL – 4

ASU – 3

UNT – 3

WKU – 3

Troy – 1

USA – 1

FIU – 1