FORT VALLEY, Ga. (November 10, 2017) — Miles running back Justin Hardy headlines the 2017 All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) football team after earning the Overall Player of the Year (MVP) and Offensive Player of the Year awards. The team, which features 26 student-athletes covering 30 positions, was voted on by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors.
The SIAC Championship Game, scheduled for Nov. 11, will feature Tuskegee linebacker Osband Thompson, who was named Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive year, and Fort Valley State quarterback Slade Jarmon, who earned Newcomer of the Year plaudits, and Coach of the Year Kevin Porter. Miles defensive lineman MarQuel Shelton was tabbed Freshman of the Year.
Hardy, a junior from Homewood, Ala., leads the SIAC in total rushing yards (1,197), yards per game (119.7), rushing touchdowns (12), total touchdowns (13), and scoring (78 points). He is currently ninth in Division II in rushing yards and had six 100-yard games and four games with more than 165 yards, including a 210-yard, three touchdown effort against Central State. Hardy had eight plays of more than 50 yards and three touchdowns runs of longer than 80 yards, including an SIAC-long 86-yard touchdown run against Clark Atlanta.
Thompson, a junior from Miami, Fla., leads the SIAC and is second in the nation with 117 tackles, 5.5 for loss. He has added four interceptions with one returned for a touchdown, and forced two fumbles. He has eight games with at least 10 tackles, including a season-high 16 tackles versus Albany State.
Jarmon, a junior from Pensacola, Fla., leads the SIAC in passing efficiency (141.5) and is second in passing yards (182.2) and total offense (199) per game. He has completed 119-of-207 passes for 1,640 yards and 14 touchdowns while rushing for two more scores. Jarmon had two games where he threw four touchdown passes, one coming against Lane, where he was 19-of-24 for 293 yards.
Shelton, a true freshman defensive end from Bessemer, Ala., enjoyed a strong initial campaign. He had 41 tackles where he is tied for the league lead in sacks (9.5) and third in tackles for loss (14). His best performance came against Clark Atlanta, where he set single-game career highs in tackles (seven), solo tackles (six), tackles for loss (3.5), and sacks (2.5).
Porter, in his second season, has led the Wildcats to a 5-4 record and a second straight Eastern Division title after going 5-1 in conference play. He has won 10 games in his two seasons at FVSU and will look to win a second SIAC title in as many years.
The All-Conference team features three student-athletes who were selected at multiple positions. Kentucky State’s Brett Sylve earned three spots on the team, with First Team nods at running back and kick returner and a Second Team pick at punt returner. Miles’ Nick Christiansen was selected as the First Team kicker and punter while Clark Atlanta’s Deandre Jackson was named as a First Team wide receiver and a Second Team kick returner.
First Team
Johnathon McCraryQuarterbackClark AtlantaEllenwood, Ga
Rodney MorrisTight EndClark AtlantaAtlanta, Ga
Deandre JacksonWide ReceiverClark AtlantaAtlanta, Ga
Okechi NtiasagweWide ReceiverBenedictColumbia, SC
Justin HardyRunning BackMilesHomewood, AL
Brett SylveRunning BackKentucky StateHammond, La.
Jamie GlennOffensive LinemanAlbany StateSnellville, Ga
Derrick TuckerOffensive LinemanMilesSweet Water, Ala.
Justin BrownOffensive LinemanBenedictMarietta, Ga
Darrius HicksOffensive LinemanFort Valley StateCamilla, Ga
Leward BrownOffensive LinemanTuskegeeMiami, FL
Kaelan BondsDefensive LinemanMilesFlorence, Ala.
Marquel SheltonDefensive LinemanMilesBessemer, Ala.
Rodriquez JonesDefensive LinemanKentucky StateHampton, Va.
Zavondric ShingletonDefensive LinemanAlbany StateMillen, Ga
David SmithLinebackerMorehouseNewport News, VA
Osband ThompsonLinebackerTuskegeeMiami, Fl.
Anthony HardyLinebackerMilesDemopolis, Ala.
Jawaski RandleDefensive BackMilesAlbany, Ga
Jonah McCutcheaonDefensive BackTuskegeeMobile, Ala.
Cameron YoungDefensive BackFort Valley StateEastman, Ga
Charles DudleyDefensive BackLaneDouglassville, Ga
Nick ChristiansenKickerMilesClayton, NC
Nick ChristiansenPunterMilesClayton, NC
Brett SylveKick ReturnerKentucky StateHammond, La.
Lorenzo SmothersPunt ReturnerFort Valley StateBuena Vista, Ga
Second Team
Slade JarmonQuarterbackFort Valley StatePensacola, Fl
Ryan EdwardsTight EndMorehouseAtlanta, Ga
Johnathon SandersWide ReceiverClark AtlantaEast Point, Ga
Amyr SmithWide ReceiverMorehouseAtlanta, Ga
Hoderick LoweRunning BackTuskegeeAtlanta, Ga
McKinley HabershamRunning BackAlbany StateSavannah, Ga
Marcus CampbellOffensive LinemanKentucky StateRadcliff, Ky.
Roger WomackOffensive LinemanMilesBirmingham, Ala.
Craig HinsonOffensive LinemanBenedictHephzibah, Ga
Max WilliamsOffensive LinemanClark AtlantaMarianna, Fl.
Tedric CofieldOffensive LinemanAlbany StateAtlanta, Ga
Demetrius HarrisDefensive LinemanFort Valley StateDecatur, Ga
Antonio JohnsonDefensive LinemanMorehouseBirmingham, Ala.
Bundrea ConwayDefensive LinemanMorehouseLansing, MI
Walter TuckerDefensive LinemanFort Valley StateMelrose, Fl.
Austin StephensLinebackerMilesMumford, Ala.
Kailen AbramsLinebackerCentral StateDetroit, Mi.
Marquez ThomasLinebackerAlbany StatePerry, Ga
Quantavious SingletaryDefensive BackClark AtlantaMoultrie, Ga.
Nicco WhighamDefensive BackFort Valley StateNorth Lauderdale, Fl.
Jaylin BoydDefensive BackAlbany StateFairburn, Ga
Edward KirklandDefensive BackBenedictColumbia, SC
Juan SernaKickerFort Valley StateDouglassville, Ga
Tory MimbsPunterBenedictSandersville, Ga
Deandre JacksonKick ReturnerClark AtlantaAtlanta, Ga
Brett SylvePunt ReturnerKentucky StateHammond, La.
Overall Player of the Year (MVP):
Justin Hardy, RB, Miles
Offensive Player of the Year:
Justin Hardy, RB, Miles
Defensive Player of the Year:
Osband Thompson, LB, Tuskegee
Freshman of the Year:
MarQuel Shelton, DL, Miles
Newcomer of the Year:
Slade Jarman, QB, FVSU
Coach of the Year:
Kevin Porter, FVSU