Local college football players: All-Conference, academic awards for seven
Jaleel Scott, New Mexico State - there was jubilation in Las Cruces, N.M. for Scott, the former Rock Hill Bearcat, and his teammates. New Mexico State beat South Alabama 22-17 for the team’s sixth win, making the Aggies bowl-eligible for the first time since 1960, with Scott making nine catches for 134 yards in the victory.
The Aggies trailed South Alabama 17-16 but got the football late, launching an 83-yard drive that culminated in the game-winning touchdown with 32 seconds left.
Scott, who surpassed 1,000 yards receiving (1,042) on the season, and New Mexico State will face Utah State in the Arizona Bowl on Dec. 29.
Malik Williams, Appalachian State - the Mountaineers wrapped up the Sun Belt Conference championship with a 63-14 blowout of Louisiana-Lafayette, and Williams, the former Chester Cyclone, made two catches for 14 yards. He’s got 19 catches in 12 games (with four starts) as a true freshman.
Beau Nunn, Appalachian State - Nunn started at right tackle for the Mountaineers, who piled up 608 yards of offense in a 63-14 demolition of Louisiana-Lafayette. The York Cougar standout will play his final game for Appalachian State in the Dollar General Bowl Dec. 23 in Mobile, Ala. against Toledo. He’s started all 12 games this season.
Anthony Johnson, Buffalo - the Bulls were unlucky to miss out on a bowl game, but that doesn’t sour the phenomenal season Johnson had. He was named first team All-Mid-American Conference last week after leading the league in receiving yardage and receiving touchdowns. Johnson, the redshirt junior from South Pointe, finished third nationally in receiving yards (1,356), receiving yards per game (113) and receiving touchdowns (14).
Shuler Littleton, Campbell - another big blocker from York, Littleton was named second team All-Pioneer Football League last week. The redshirt junior offensive tackle helped the Camels rank second in the PFL in scoring, passing offense and total offense.
Daurice Simpson, Fullerton College (Calif.) - the York grad and his Fullerton teammates face San Mateo in the California Community College Athletic Association championship game Dec. 9 in Sacramento. Fullerton won the Southern California Football Conference title to advance to the state final. Simpson made second team All-Southern Conference. California junior college football is divided into two conferences (North and South).
Donovan Perryman, Furman - Perryman, the former Rock Hill Bearcat, made three tackles but Furman fell to Wofford 28-10 in the second round of the FCS playoffs.
Caliph Brice, Hutchinson Community College (Kans.) - the true freshman linebacker from Northwestern made five tackles but the Dragons fell 48-34 to Eastern Arizona College in the Salt City Bowl. Brice made 51 tackles this season. He is qualified for NCAA and can transfer to a four-year school this offseason if he gets the offer he wants.
Mike Hill, Iowa Western Community College - Hill, the true freshman wide receiver from Lewisville, finished off a great rookie season of college football with a touchdown catch in the Reivers’ 36-19 Graphic Edge Bowl win over Northwest Mississippi. Hill had six catches for 47 yards, finishing the season with 58 grabs for 707 yards and five scores. His fourth quarter TD catch against Northwest Mississippi helped Iowa Western pull away for the win.
Nick McCloud, N.C. State - South Pointe defensive back will play in the Sun Bowl on Dec. 29 when the Wolfpack face Arizona State. The sophomore corner has 27 tackles and a team-high seven pass break-ups.
Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State - the awards are starting to roll in for the former Northwestern Trojans QB. Rudolph was named the winner of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award last week, the honor given to the nation’s top QB, and was also named second team All-Big 12, a pretty nice honor given the quality of QBs playing in the league. Rudolph, who finished the regular season as the national leader in passing yards (4,553), passing yards per game (379.4) and points responsible (270) is also a finalist for the Davey O’Brien Award. Rudolph owns 50 school records and could claim a few more when the Cowboys face Virginia Tech in the Camping World Bowl in Orlando, Dec. 28.
Josh McCoy, N.C. Central - junior tight end from York was named second team All-MEAC last week. The Sharon native caught 11 passes for 121 yards and three touchdowns.
Manny McCord, Newberry - Indian Land’s McCord made Academic All-District after earning a 3.41 GPA in his sociology and criminal justice double major. He also caught seven passes for 156 yards for the Wolves.
Dakota Mozingo, Newberry - the former South Pointe Stallion was named first team All-South Atlantic Conference and also All-Region D2CCA by sports information directors in the super region that encompasses multiple Division II conferences in the southeastern U.S. Mozingo, the senior center who has started every game for the Wolves the last two seasons, was named to the first team. He played 95 percent of Newberry’s offensive snaps this fall and is advanced to All-American consideration by virtue of making the All-Region team.
Markell Castle, Newberry - Castle, the York grad, was named second team All-SAC after making 39 catches for 756 yards and a career-high nine TDs. He ranked 15th nationally in Division II with 19.38 yards per catch. The junior receiver ranks in Newberry’s all-time top-10 in a number of different receiving categories and could make a huge dent in the Wolves’ record book next fall.
Terrance Morris, Wofford - the former Chester Cyclone made three tackles as the Terriers knocked off Furman to advance in the FCS playoffs. Morris, who has 58 tackles this season, and Wofford face North Dakota State on the road in the third round.
This story was originally published December 4, 2017 at 11:31 AM with the headline "Local college football players: All-Conference, academic awards for seven."