CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois had two football players earn All-American honors as the Associated Press released its 2014 FCS All-America team on Wednesday.
Collin Seibert was a first team selection while
Adam Drake was named to the third team.
Seibert earned his third first team All-American honor this season after previously being named to the American Football Coaches Association and Walter Camp teams. Seibert was selected after helping the Panthers offense rank in the Top 20 nationally this season in both total offense and rushing offense. He anchored the offensive unit grading out at over 90 percent for the season. Seibert was a first team All-Ohio Valley Conference selection this season marking the third straight year that the senior earned first team honors. This is the second straight year Seibert has earned first team All-America honors by at least one organization. He was a first team selection by Sports Network as a junior.
He becomes the 13th EIU player to earn Associated Press first team All-American honors in the NCAA Division I era of EIU football joining
Jimmy Garoppolo (2013),
Erik Lora (2012 & 2013), Nick Ricks (2002), Tony Romo (2002), J.R. Taylor (2002), Tim Lance (1990), John Jurkovic (1989), Roy Banks (1986), Robert Williams (1983), Chris Nicholson (1983) and Bob Norris (1982).
Drake earned All-American honors for the second straight year as the wide receiver was a third team selection by Sports Network last season. This year Drake caught 93 passes for 1,321 yards and 12 touchdowns. He led the Ohio Valley Conference in all three categories and was ranked in the FCS top five in receptions and receiving yards per game at the end of the regular season. Drake's 93 receptions and 1,321 yards were the third highest single season total in school history. He completed his career ranked second in career receptions and third in receiving yards in school history. Both career totals landed Drake in the OVC career top ten.
A total of seven OVC players earned AP All-American honors with Seibert the only player selected on the first team. EIU had two representatives as did Jacksonville State and Tennessee State. UT Martin had one player on the All-American team.
OFFENSEQuarterback — Vernon Adams, junior, 6-foot, 200 pounds, Eastern Washington.
Running backs — Zach Zenner, senior, 6-0, 220, South Dakota State; Marshaun Coprich, junior, 5-9, 205, Illinois State.
Linemen —
Collin Seibert, senior, 6-4, 277, Eastern Illinois; Jake Rummells, senior, 6-5, 301, Northern Iowa; Cole Carruthers, senior, 6-4, 292, Central Arkansas; Joe Haeg, junior, 6-6, 299, North Dakota State; Jake Rodgers, senior, 6-6, 315, Eastern Washington.
Tight end — MyCole Pruitt, senior, 6-3, 255, Southern Illinois.
Wide receivers — Cooper Kupp, sophomore, 6-2, 195, Eastern Washington; R.J. Harris, senior, 6-0, 201, New Hampshire.
All-purpose player — Johnta' Hebert, junior, 5-10, 195, Prairie View A&M.
Kicker — Michael Schmadeke, junior, 5-10, 181, Northern Iowa.
DEFENSELinemen — Kyle Emanuel, senior, 6-3, 251, senior, North Dakota State; Zack Wagenmann, senior, 6-3, 250, Montana; Davis Tull, senior, 6-3, 240, Chattanooga; Javon Hargrave, junior, 6-2, 295, South Carolina State.
Linebackers — Don Cherry, junior, 6-1, 221, Villanova; Nick Dzubnar, senior, 6-2, 250, Cal Poly; Quinn Backus, senior, 5-10, 215, Coastal Carolina.
Backs — Donald Payne, sophomore, 6-0, 205, Stetson; Jacob Hagen, senior, 6-3, 205, Liberty; Caleb Schaffitzel, senior, 6-0, 217, Missouri State; Colten Heagle, junior, 5-11, 206, North Dakota State.
Punter — Kyle Loomis, senior, 6-2, 230, Portland State.
SECOND TEAMOFFENSEQuarterback — John Robertson, junior, Villanova.
Running backs — Tyler Varga, senior, Yale; Gus Johnson, senior, Stephen F. Austin.
Linemen — Chad Hamilton, senior, Coastal Carolina; Ronald Canty, senior, North Carolina A&T; Mike Coccia, redshirt freshman, New Hampshire; Max Holcombe, junior, Jacksonville State; Antoine Everett, senior, McNeese State.
Tight end — Seth Cranfill, senior, Gardner-Webb.
Wide receivers — De'Andre Carter, senior, Sacramento State; Jake Wieneke, freshman, South Dakota State.
All-purpose player — Ed Eagan, junior, Northwestern State.
Kicker — Justin Syrovatka, senior, South Dakota State.
DEFENSELinemen — Devaunte Sigler, junior, Jacksonville State; Zack Hodges, senior, Harvard; Mike Reilly, senior, William & Mary; James Cowser, junior, Southern Utah.
Linebackers — Evan Byers, senior, Bucknell; Connor Underwood, junior, Indiana State; Lynden Trail, senior, Norfolk State.
Backs — Jaquiski Tartt, senior, Samford; Christian Ricard, senior, Stony Brook; Jarrett Dieudonne, senior, Wagner; De'Ante Saunders, junior, Tennessee State.
Punter — Cory Carter, junior, Texas Southern.
THIRD TEAMOFFENSEQuarterback — Vad Lee, junior James Madison.
Running backs — Chase Edmonds, freshman, Fordham; Malcolm Cyrus, senior, Alabama State.
Linemen — Austin Gund, senior, Richmond; Mason Halter, senior, Fordham; Nick Easton, senior, Harvard; Donald Jackson III, junior, Sam Houston State; Jermaine Barton, senior, Illinois State.
Tight end —Faysal Shafaat, senior, Chattanooga.
Wide receivers —
Adam Drake, senior, Eastern Illinois; Mark Roberts, Lamar, senior.
All-purpose player — David Johnson, senior, Northern Iowa.
Kicker — Adam Keller, senior, North Dakota State.
DEFENSELinemen — Ryan Delaire, senior, Towson; Xavier Williams, senior, Northern Iowa; Jonathan Woodard, junior, Central Arkansas; Jeff Covitz, senior, Bryant.
Linebackers — Tony Bell, senior, Tennessee-Martin; Isiah Corbett, junior, Southeastern Louisiana; Nick Thrasher, senior, Tennessee State.
Backs — Zach Adler, senior, Marist; Harlan Miller, junior, Southeastern Louisiana; Matt Hermanson, senior, Montana; Tye Smith, senior, Towson.
Punter — Eric Anderson, sophomore, Delaware.
