Here it is... the first annual All Mid-Major NCAA football team! The spots on this team are determined by a few factors such as the players performance and total stats. This list includes players from programs that in my opinion I consider to be a mid-major program. Some teams like Louisville and UCF aren't included as mid-majors. Enjoy!
QB: Derek Carr-Fresno State
The younger brother of David Carr had an amazing year for the Bulldogs of Fresno State. Derek, in his third year starting for the Bulldogs, threw for over 5,000 yards with an impressive 50 touchdowns and only 8 interceptions this season. Carr also led D-1 Quarterbacks in total passing yards with 420 more yards than Oregon State's Sean Mannion.
Honorable Mention: Jordan Lynch-NIU, Shane Carden-ECU, David Fales-SJSU
RB: Antonio Andrews-WKU
Antonio Andrews carried the Hilltoppers to a solid 8-4 record in 2013. Andrews averaged an impressive 6.5 yards per carry along with 16 rushing touchdowns. Antonio had the 7th most total rushing yards in 2013 thanks to his 1,730 yards.
RB: Branden Oliver- Buffalo
The cousin of Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wide Receiver Roscoe Parrish amassed over 1500 yards this year for the Buffalo Bulls. He had 5 games this year where he ran for 150 or more yards including games of 216 yards and 249 yards. Oliver is also now the all-time leading rusher for the Buffalo program.
Honorable Mention: Travis Greene-B.Green, David Fluellen-Toledo, Trey Watts Tulsa, Dri Archer-Kent St
WR: Davante Adams
The lethal combination of Derek Carr and Davante Adams accounted for 24 touchdowns and 1718 yards. Adams had monster games of 221, 246, and 264 yards. He was 13 yards short of being the top receiver of 2013 in the NCAA. He was also a 2-time First-Team All-Conference Receiver.
WR: Chandler Jones SJSU
This former walk-on had a breakout season in 2013 with 79 catches and 1356 yards. Against an undefeated Fresno State, Jones helped the Spartans pull off an upset with an impressive game that included 146 yards and 3 touchdowns. His 15 touchdowns tied for 3rd in the FBS for receivers. Jones was also named to First-Team All-MWC at the end of the 2013 season.
Honorable Mention: Willie Snead- Ball St, Tommy Schuler- Marshall, Deontay Greenberry- Houston.
TE: Gator Hoskins- Marshall
The First-Team All-Conference USA Tight End caught 15 touchdown passes in 2013 for the Thundering Herd. Those 15 touchdown receptions were enough to be the leader in Tight Ends for touchdown receptions. Hoskins was also a semi-finalist for the John Mackey award in 2013.
Honorable Mention: Wes Saxton-South Alabama, Tyreese Russell-EMU, Alex Bayer-B. Green
OT: Billy Turner- North Dakota State
The 2013 FCS Offensive Lineman of the Year helped the Bison win the FCS National Championship. Turner started all 15 games this season for the Bison and allowed no QB sacks. He was a part of a running attack that had two 1000 yard rushers for the second straight year.
OT: Joel Bitonio- Nevada
Against top NFL prospect Anthony Barr this year, Bitonio held Barr to no sacks. Bitonio was awarded First-Team All-Mountain West in 2013 while starting 39 straight consecutive games through his career at Nevada.
Honorable Mention: Charles Leno- Boise St, Danny Kistler Jr- Montana
OG: Dakota Dozier- Furman
Originally a tackle, Dozier's transition to guard went well. He ended up winning the Southern Conference Jacobs Blocking Award in 2013 and was also named to the 2013 AP First-Team All-FCS. Dozier paved the way for 3 straight 1,000 yard rushers at Furman from 2011-2013.
OG: Kadeem Edwards- Tennessee State
This big guy started 43 games in his career at Tennessee State and he earned honors every year he started. As a sophomore, Edwards made Second-Team All-OVC, but as a junior and as a senior, he made First-Team All-OVC. Also in his senior year, Kadeem was named a First-Team FCS All-American.
Honorable Mention: Brian Clarke-Bloomsburg, Cyril Lemon-North Texas, Karim Barton Morgan State
OC: Tyler Larsen- Utah State
As one of the six finalists for the Rimington Trophy award, Tyler Larsen excelled this year at Utah State. He earned All-Mountain West honors this year while playing in his 51st consecutive game. He was graded at 86 percent or above in every game in 2013.
Honorable Mention: Matt Armtrong- GVSU, Zac Kerin- Toledo, Chris Jasperse- Marshall
DL: Caraun Reid- Princeton
A back to back All-American, Reid excelled for the Tigers this year. Reid overcame double and triple teams all year to become one of the most disruptive defensive lineman in the FCS. Caraun also led the Ivy League in sacks and was second in tackles for loss. He is also a 3-time Ivy league first-teamer.
DL: Justin Ellis- Louisiana Tech
This 330+ pound nose tackle had 48 tackles this season including 5.5 tackles for loss. Ellis helped out his team majorly this year by filling gaps against the run. Justin's efforts earned him a place on Honorable Mention All-CUSA, which I certainly disagree with.
DL: Demarcus Lawrence- Boise State
Lawrence led the Mountain West in sacks and tackles for loss this year. He recorded an impressive 10.5 sacks and 20.5 tackles for loss for the Broncos. Boise State used him in plenty of packages this year, Lawrence had virtually lined up at every spot on the defensive line.
Honorable Mention: Shamar Stephon- UCONN, Ryan Carrethers- Arkansas State
MLB: Yawin Smallwood- UCONN
Yawin was a top producer for the Huskies this year. A Butkus award semi-finalist, he led his team with 118 tackles and 4 sacks. He earned CBSSports.com Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against #14 Michigan that included 13 tackles, 2.0 TFL, a sack, and a forced fumble. He also earned American Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his game against Temple that included 8 tackles, 2.0 TFL, a sack, a forced fumble, and a 59 yard interception return for touchdown.
MLB: DeDe Lattimore- USF
Although only earning Second Team All-American Conference honors, Lattimore had a solid year for the Bulls. He was named to the Bednarik and Butkus Award Watch Lists. DeDe set a career high in tackles in a game with 18 against Rutgers this year. Lattimore finished his career this year with 337 tackles, which is second all-time at USF.
Honorable Mention: Andrew Jackson- WKU, Devin Unga- BYU, Shaquil Barrett CSU
OLB: Khalil Mack- Buffalo
Fueled by doubt, Kahlil Mack wrecked the MAC in 2013 and will now move on towards the NFL. Not only did he dominate the mediocre MAC, but he also dominated against top-tier teams such as Baylor and Ohio State. In his 4 years as a starter for the Bulls, he has set FBS records with 75 career TFL and 16 career forced fumbles. Mack is also a 3-time First Team All-MAC and in 2013 he was chosen as a Second Team All-American.
OLB: Kyle Van Noy-BYU
The All-Independent Defensive Player of the Year had a career high 70 tackles in 2013. He also had a solid 17.5 TFL this year, down from his amazing 22 TFL last year, but it is still a great amount. Kyle eventually made the CBSSports.com Third Team All-American and SI's Honorable Mention.
Honorable Mention: Jordan Tripp- Montana, Howard Jones- Shepherd, Tyler Starr- South Dakota
S: Jimmie Ward- NIU
A semi-finalist for the Jim Thorpe award, Ward led NIU in tackles with 95 and in interceptions with 7. He was selected to the First Team All-MAC and was a Third-Team AP All-American. He also impressed many people during Senior Bowl practices.
S: Marqueston Huff- Wyoming
In Huff's first year transitioning to safety, he led all MWC defensive backs in tackles with 127, which is 30 more tackles than any other defensive back in that conference. He was eleventh in the NCAA in tackles per game, with Huff averaging roughly 10.6 tackles per game. Marqueston eventually made Second-Team All-MWC.
Honorable Mention: Derron Smith- Fresno State, Daniel Fitzpatrick- TennState, Nat Berhe- SDSU
CB: Pierre Desir- Lindenwood
This division two player is not a joke at all. Desir won the Cliff Harris award in 2013, honoring the best small-school defensive player. In his two years at Lindenwood, he recorded a solid 13 interceptions. Desir also finished his career ranked first in passes defended in the MIAA history.
CB: Lorenzo Doss- Tulane
This true sophomore had astonishing numbers for someone his age. Doss ended the season tied for second in interceptions and ran two of those for touchdowns. SB Nation and College Sports Madness both named him the Conference-USA Defensive Player of the Year. He also was named the Jim Thorpe Defensive Back of the Week Award after picking off two passes, one for touchdown, against North Texas on October 5th. Watch out for this guy over the next few years.
Honorable Mention: D'Joun Smith-FAU, Nevin Lawson-UtSt, Walt Aikens-Liberty, Bene Benwikere SJSU
P: Tim Hornsey- Memphis
An Australian native and Ray Guy Award winner, Hornsey punted 62 times this season with an average of 45.2 yards per punt. 29 of his 62 punts were pinned within the opponents 20-yard line. Only four of his punts went into the end zone.
Honorable Mention: Richie Leon- Houston
K: Chris Boswell- Rice
The senior for Rice drilled a 56-yard game winning field goal against Kansas. He was also named Second-Team All-Conference USA.
Honorable Mention: Cairo Santos- Tulane.
KR: Carlos Wiggins- New Mexico
Averaging almost 30 yards per return, Wiggins was one of the only bright spots for the Lobos. The sophomore returner recorded 1,315 yards with 3 touchdowns this season. He earned Mountain West Special Teams POY honors and also earned a spot on First-Team All Mountain West.
KR: Demarcus Ayers- Houston
This true freshman lead the American Conference and was 12th nationally in return yards with 1,021 yards. Ayers also had five games with over 100 return yards and was second nationally with 12 returns of 30+ yards. He earned Co-Special Teams POY and First-Team All-Conference.
Honorable Mention: Deandre Reaves- Marshall, Adam Hine- BYU, Aaron Evans- Old Dominion
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