ORANGEBURG, SC – South Carolina State running back Will Ford, who rushed for almost 1,500 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior last season, has been named to the Consensus Draft Services (CDS) 2009 Preseason FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) All-America first team, while teammate Phillip Adams, a defensive back, received honorable mention.
Ford, a Travelers Rest native, received numerous honors as a junior, including MEAC Offensive Player of the Year, Palmetto State Player of the Year as selected by The State and The Greenville News newspapers, All-State recognition by The State and the Orangeburg Touchdown Club, and was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, presented annually to the top offensive player in the FCS.
Ford needs just over 1,000 yards to become the MEAC's all-time rushing leader.
Adams, a senior of Rock Hill, was sixth in tackles for the Bulldogs with 48 total, including 33 unassisted. He led the team in interceptions with five and pass breakups with nine, and was named the team's top cornerback.
CDS 2009 Preseason FCS All-America Team
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
QB Armanti Edwards, Appalachian State, 6-0, 181
WR Andre Roberts, The Citadel, 5'11", 185
WR Terrell Hudgins, Elon, 6'3", 237
TE Scott Sicko, New Hampshire, 6'4", 236
RB Toddrick Pendland, McNeese, 5'9", 172
RB William Ford, South Carolina St., 5'11", 185
OT Austin Howard, Northern Iowa, 6'7", 301
OG Jeff Hansen, Montana State, 6'4", 290
C Kyle Mutcher, Weber State, 6'3", 295
OG Matthew McCracken, Richmond, 6'4", 291
OT Vladmir DuCasse, UMass, 6'5", 315
K Andrew Samson, Penn (Jr.)
KR Scotty McGee, James Madison
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
DE James Ruffin, Northern Iowa, 6'4", 267
DT Joe Goniprow, Penn, 6'1", 275
DT Justin Lawrence, Morgan State, 6'1", 280
DE Austen Lane, Murray State, 6'6", 265
OLB Jabara Williams, Stephen F. Austin, 6'3", 215 (Jr.)
ILB Alex DiMichele, Robert Morris, 6'2", 240 (Jr.)
ILB Jacque Roman, Appalachian State, 6'1", 240
OLB Adrian McLeod, Western Carolina, 6'0", 215
CB Curtis Holcomb, Florida A&M, 5'10", 170 (Jr.)
S Terrell Whitehead, Norfolk State, 6'2", 200
S Mark LeGree, Appalachian State, 6'0", 200 (Jr.)
CB Justin Rogers, Richmond, 5'10", 170 (Jr.)
? P Doug Spada, Southeast Missouri
? PR Andre Roberts, The Citadel
Note: All players selected are seniors unless otherwise designated
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