Phil Steele Freshmen All-AmericaÂ
CLEVELAND – With the FCS football season coming to a close last weekend, three Eastern Illinois players were named to the Phil Steele Freshmen All-America team this week.Â
Jason Johnson,
Chad Strickland and
JJ Ross were all honored from the Panthers program.
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Johnson was a second team selection at linebacker after earning All-OVC Newcomer team honors this year. Johnson came on late in the season starting the final six games of the year and finishing the season third on the team with 59 tackles. Johnson added 4.5 tackles for loss. He had one sack and one forced fumble which both came on the same play late in the game at Tennessee State that helped add an insurance touchdown during the EIU win.
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Strickland was one of the anchors on a young offensive line that at some points during the season featured five freshmen on the field. Strickland started ten games at left tackle missing two games late in the season due to injury. Strickland was named a second team selection.
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Ross was a third team selection at defensive back after leading EIU in interceptions with four. Two of his interceptions came in the final game of the season at Austin Peay where he made the last of his six starts on the year. Ross had 24 tackles and two pass break-ups.
