2018 All-GLIAC Football Teams, Player of the Year Awards Announced

2018 All-GLIAC Football Teams, Player of the Year Awards Announced

Scroll down the release to view 2018 GLIAC Football All-Conference Teams

The 2018 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Football postseason awards have been announced after voting conducted by the league's coaches. 

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jayru Campbell - Ferris State

Ferris State University junior quarterback Jayru Campbell has made the most of his first season as FSU's starting quarterback, leading the Bulldogs to their first unbeaten regular-season and conference title since 2015. A Harlon Hill Trophy candidate, Campbell leads all quarterbacks nationally in rushing yardage and is among the nation's leaders in points responsible for, passing effiency, scoring and total offense. The standout QB has completed nearly 60% of his passes for 2,368 yards while running for a team-best 1,162 yards and 19 TD's in regular-season action. Behind his play, FSU has earned a fifth-straight NCAA Division II Playoff appearance as one of the region's top two teams. Campbell has accounted for 42 touchdowns while helping FSU rank among the national leaders in total offense, rushing and scoring this season.

OFFENSIVE BACK OF THE YEAR
Jake Mayon - Northern Michigan

Northern Michigan senior running back Jake Mayon set two school records during his senior campaign while leading the GLIAC in rushing for the season.  He became the first player in school history to achieve 1,500 rushing yards in a season and set a new NMU single season rushing record, finishing the year with 1,505 yards on the ground while score 14 touchdowns. That total also placed him sixth nationally in Division II. He averaged 136.8 yards rushing per game and posted two games with over 200 rushing yards with three more games over 170 rushing yards.  Against Michigan Technological University, Mayon became the school's career rushing leader and will finish his career with 4,220 yards.

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE YEAR
Devon Johnson - Ferris State

Ferris State University senior offensive tackle Devon Johnson has played a key role in helping the Bulldogs earn a fifth-straight NCAA Division II Playoff appearance. As the squad's starting left tackle, the NFL prospect has made 51 consecutive starts for the Bulldogs, which represents a school all-time mark and is believed to be the longest streak by a Division II player in the past decade. Johnson has played a pivotal role for a Bulldog offense that ranks among the national leaders in scoring, rushing and total offense. As the backside protector for Harlon Hill Trophy candidate Jayru Campbell, Johnson earned All-GLIAC recognition for the third consecutive campaign as one of the squad's leaders up front. His play helped FSU notch its third unbeaten regular-season and GLIAC Championship in the past five seasons.

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE YEAR
James Prater Jr. - Ashland

Ashland senior defensive end James Prater Jr. is the 2018 GLIAC Defensive Lineman of the Year. Prater Jr. joins former Cleveland Brown Jamie Meder (2012-13) as Ashland's GLIAC Defensive Lineman of the Year winners. In 2018, Prater Jr. was second in the GLIAC in sacks (9½) and tied for third in tackles for loss (15), and finished runner-up on the team with 65 total tackles (27 solo). Prater Jr. also broke up four passes. Prater Jr. is Ashland's all-time leader in tackles for loss (46), and is tied for ninth all-time on the Eagles' sack list (22½). In his final two seasons alone, Prater Jr. racked up 19½ sacks, 38½ tackles for loss, 128 total stops and 12 pass breakups.

DEFENSIVE BACK OF THE YEAR
Brian Williams - Davenport

Davenport senior defensive back Brian Williams has been a major reason for Davenport's increased win total this season. He has emerged as someone with a nose for the football as evidenced by leading the GLIAC in interceptions for the second straight season. He picked off six passes and returned them 89 yards this season while also being credited with six pass breakups.  He recorded an interception in four of the final five games of the season.  He is also known as a physical player in helping to stop the run with 43 tackles including 31 of the solo variety. He played some of his best games against the top teams in the GLIAC. He recorded a season-high eight tackles with a forced fumble and fumble recovery against Ashland. He also had six tackles and a tackle for loss against Ferris State. Williams will leave DU with 139 career tackles and 13 career interceptions.

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Austin Brenner - Ashland

Ashland redshirt freshman quarterback Austin Brenner joins former Cleveland Brown Jamie Meder (2012-13) as Ashland Freshman of the Year recipients. Starting seven games at quarterback, Brenner had a 5-2 record, and led the GLIAC in completion percentage at 61.3. He threw for 1,225 yards, five touchdowns and a GLIAC-starting-QB-low two interceptions. As a punter, Brenner averaged a GLIAC-best 41.3 yards per punt, and he was third on the team in both rushing yards (241) and rushing touchdowns (tied, three).  

COACH OF THE YEAR
Tony Annese - Ferris State

Ferris State University head coach Tony Annese led the Bulldogs to their third unbeaten regular-season and league championship in the past five years this season. As the nation's winningest active head coach, he guided FSU to a perfect 11-0 mark, including an 8-0 run in the GLIAC. Annese also directed the Bulldogs to their fifth consecutive NCAA Division II Playoff appearance, which matches FSU's 1990's run for the longest streak in school history. The Bulldogs notched their fifth-straight year with 11 or more wins and are one of only two Division II schools to reach the postseason each of the past five seasons. Under Annese, the Bulldogs also ranked among the national leaders in virtually every offensive category while the defense overcame the loss of 10 starters from a year ago.


 A complete list of the 2018 All-GLIAC football teams is below:
 
2018 All-GLIAC Football First Team
Name School Yr. Pos. Hometown
Jayru Campbell Ferris State Jr. QB Detroit, Mich.
Jake Mayon Northern Michigan Sr. RB Plainfield, Ill.
Andrew Vaughn Ashland Sr. RB West Salem, Ohio
Chawntez Moss Grand Valley State Jr. RB Cleveland, Ohio
Pete Cender Grand Valley State Sr. TE Howell, Mich.
Chad Gailliard Saginaw Valley So. WR Dearborn, Mich.
Nick Dodson Grand Valley State Sr. WR Aurora, Ill.
Jacob Wenzlick Michigan Tech Jr. WR Meridian, Mich.
Sy Barnett Ferris State R-Fr. WR Williamston, Mich.
Ben Walling Grand Valley State Sr. OL Independence, Ky.
Nic Sawyer Ferris State Sr. OL Ann Arbor, Mich.
Devon Johnson Ferris State Sr. OL Aurora, Ill.
Tommy Richardson Wayne State Gr. OL Troy, Mich.
Ethan Culberson Grand Valley State So. OL Shelby Township, Mich.
Israel Helms Wayne State R-Sr. OL Southfield, Mich.
James Prater Jr. Ashland Sr. DL Columbus, Ohio
Austin Edwards Ferris State Jr. DL Lansing, Mich.
Derrick Calloway Davenport Sr. DL Bradenton, Fla.
Heath Williams Saginaw Valley Jr. DL East Lansing, Mich.
Mike Pettis Grand Valley State Jr. DL Battle Creek, Mich.
Delon Stephenson Ferris State Jr. DB Sayreville, N.J.
Brian Williams Davenport R-Sr. DB Detroit, Mich.
Jacob Studdard Grand Valley State Sr. DB Southfield, Mich.
Tyler Bradfield Grand Valley State So. DB Rockford, Mich.
Isaiah Stiverson Ashland Sr. DB Blanchester, Ohio
Clay Shreve Ashland Jr. LB Mogadore, Ohio
Sam Heyboer Ferris State So. LB Grand Rapids, Mich.
Michael Alexander Saginaw Valley Sr. LB Midland, Mich.
Brendan McMahon Grand Valley State Sr. LB Rochester Hills, Mich.
Anthony Pittman Wayne State R-Sr. LB Birmingham, Mich.
J.J. McGrath Grand Valley State Sr. PK Macomb, Mich.
Michael James Michigan Tech Jr. P Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.
Nate Couturier Davenport R-Jr. KR Allendale, Mich.
2018 All-GLIAC Football Second Team
Name School Year Pos. Hometown
Bart Williams Grand Valley State Sr. QB Grand Blanc, Mich.
James Hill Wayne State R-Jr. RB Livonia, Mich.
Nate McCrary Saginaw Valley So. RB Muskegon, Mich.
Marvin Campbell Ferris State So. RB Detroit, Mich.
Preston Pelham Wayne State Gr. TE Tecumseh, Mich.
Austin Paritee Grand Valley State Jr. WR Birmingham, Mich.
Kamaron Green Ashland Sr. WR Columbus, Ohio
Darece Roberson Jr. Wayne State Jr. WR Muskegon, Mich.
Gary Landless Northwood Sr. WR New Baltimore, Mich.
Trevor Curle Saginaw Valley Jr. OL Macomb, Mich.
Vince Propson Northern Michigan Sr. OL Chilton, Wis.
Damon Sutton Northwood So. OL Sterling Heights, Mich.
Tyler Allison Ferris State Jr. OL Clinton Township, Mich.
Zyggy Arledge Northern Michigan Sr. OL Hoover, Ala.
Deonte Reynolds Davenport R-Jr. OL Richmond, Calif.
Jamil Pollard Ferris State Sr. DL West Deptford, N.J.
Dylan Carroll Grand Valley State Sr. DL Portland, Mich.
Tristan Reichelderfer Ashland Jr. DL Kenton, Ohio
Abram Cook Northern Michigan Sr. DL Surprise, Ariz.
Garrett Ross Michigan Tech Sr. DL Waterford, Mich.
Donnell Alexander Saginaw Valley So. DB Detroit, Mich.
Nick Powers Ashland Jr. DB Hilliard, Ohio
Dillon Dixon Saginaw Valley Sr. DB Detroit, Mich.
Adrian Green Ferris State Jr. DB Ellenwood, Ga.
Greg McDade Wayne State R-Jr. DB Sterling Heights, Mich.
Tyree Horton Grand Valley State Sr. LB Homestead, Fla.
Kye Black Davenport R-Jr. LB Fort Wayne, Ind.
Marvin Wright Michigan Tech Jr. LB Lansing, Mich.
Ryan Corkrean Ashland So. LB Columbus, Ohio
Avonte Bell Ferris State Jr. LB Lansing, Mich.
Satchel Denton Ashland So. PK Centerburg, Ohio
John Kwiecinski Northern Michigan Jr. P Plymouth, Mich.
Dion Earls Ferris State Jr. KR Chicago, Ill.
 2018 All-GLIAC Football Honorable Mention
Ashland
Name Yr. Pos. Hometown
Colton Paul So. DB Cincinnati, Ohio
Logan Bolin R-So. WR Grafton, Ohio
Austin Brenner R-Fr. QB Copley, Ohio
Ryan Maguire R-Jr. OL New Albany, Ohio
Brandon May R-Sr. DL Mount Blanchard, Ohio
Travis Downing Sr. LS Kenton, Ohio
Davenport
Daniel Jackson Sr. DT Romeoville, Ill.
C.J. Thornton Sr. LB Haymarket, Va.
Seth Acda R-Jr. RB Murrieta, Calif.
Meckah Lester R-Fr. OT Chicago, Ill.
Keion Powers R-Jr. WR Fort Wayne, Ind.
Deshaun Lowery So. DB Lansing, Mich.
Ferris State
Jake Boonstra So. OL Grand Rapids, Mich.
Sam Girodat Jr. DT Jackson, Mich.
Keyondre Craig Sr. WR Muskegon, Mich.
Cyntell Williams So. DB Battle Creek, Mich.
Jevon Shaw Jr. SL Farmington Hills, Mich.
Derrick Portis Sr. RB Lompoc, Calif.
Grand Valley State
Brandon Wadley So. WR South Bend, Ind.
DaMario Johnson Jr. DB Hammond, Ind.
Isaiah Nkansah Jr. LB Mason, Ohio
James McBride Jr. DL Indianapolis, Ind.
Dave Dawson Sr. OL Detroit, Mich.
Kwanii Figueroa Sr. DL Brooklyn, N.Y.
Michigan Tech
Graham Hubbell Sr. DB Plainwell, Mich.
Seth Malcolm Sr. OL Sterling, Mich.
Jordan Ferguson So. FB Alpena, Mich.
Ben Hartley Jr. WR West Branch, Mich.
Xavier Ciardo Sr. DL Kenosha, Wis.
Travis Tidwell Jr. DB Detroit, Mich.
Northern Michigan
Troy Mayon Jr. S Plainfield, Ill.
Thompson McWatters Jr. OL Grand Haven, Mich.
Gabe Baumann So. OL Rockford, Mich.
Ben Loutsis R-Fr. WR Aurora, Ill.
Jalen Saunders Sr. S Auburn Hills, Mich.
Jake Dudeck R-Fr. DL Manhattan, Ill.
Northwood
Dimitri Abro Jr. DB Macomb, Mich.
Mykhael Sanford-McCarver Jr. DB Scottsboro, Ala.
Chris Jacobs Jr. OL Bay City, Mich.
Travis Wiltjer Jr. LB Maple City, Mich.
Keenan Williamson R-Fr. DB Grand Rapids, Mich.
Alex Spicuzzi Jr. WR Macomb, Mich.
Saginaw Valley
Ryan Conklin Jr. QB Jackson, Mich.
Austin Egler Jr. LB Clarkston, Mich.
Patrik Moriarty Jr. DT Lansing, Mich.
Joe Newman Jr. DB South Lyon, Mich.
David Still Jr. DE Glassboro, N.J.
Justin Whitted Jr. LB Farmington Hills, Mich.
Wayne State
Derrick Coleman R-Sr. DE Beverly Hills, Mich.
Tieler Houston Fr. S Waterford, Mich.
Kyle Toth R-Jr. S Hudsonville, Mich.
Shane Hynes Gr. PK/P Clarkston, Mich.
Kyle Lewis  R-Jr. WR/KR Detroit, Mich.
Leon Eggleston R-Jr. OLB Sylvania, Ohio