NASHVILLE --- Four members of the Tennessee State football team have been honored as BOXTOROW HBCU All-Americans. Devon Starling, Davoan Hawkins and Antonio Zita earned a spot on the first time. Cam Durley was named honorable mention as an offensive lineman.

On top of the selections, Starling was voted as the Rookie/Newcomer of the Year, while Zita shared the title of Special Teams Player of the Year.

Starling claims his first All-American honor after being named a STATS FCS Jerry Rice Award Finalist, Ohio Valley Conference co-Freshman of the Year, First Team All-OVC and grabbing two OVC Newcomer of the Week awards.

Starling only started four games this season and still managed to rush for 648 yards on 124 carries, leading all freshmen nationally. The Antioch, Tenn. native scored three touchdowns while averaging 5.2 yards per carry and 92.6 yards per game. Starling led all OVC rushers and ranked 12th nationally.

Zita kicked eight field goals from beyond 40 yards and was the only kicker in the nation to convert more than two field goals from 50-plus. Zita finished with five from the distance, including a 62-yarder against EIU. The kick is the longest in the NCAA at all levels this season. Zita's 2.0 field goals per game topped the OVC and was second at the FCS level.

Hawkins recorded 32 tackles and led the OVC in tackles for loss (9.0), sacks (5.0) and forced fumbles (2). Hawkins also totaled 19 solo tackles, recovered a fumble and had four quarterback hurries. The Kentucky transfer recorded a season best 3.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage and a best 1.5 sacks in a win over Eastern Illinois.
 
Durley played a role in Starlings rushing success. The right tackle played in all seven games, starting five, missing a pair of starts due to injuries. Durley was also named First Team All-OVC.
 

OFFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR: Aqeel Glass
DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR: Jordan Lewis, Southern
COACH OF THE YEAR: Doc Gamble, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
ROOKIES/NEWCOMERS OF THE YEAR: Devon Starling, Tennessee State
Co-SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYERS OF THE YEAR: Antonio Zita, Tennessee State
Co-SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYERS OF THE YEAR: Tyrin Ralph, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
IMPACT AWARD: Skyler Perry, Arkansas-Pine Bluff


OFFENSE
QB: Aqeel Glass, Alabama A&M, Sr., St. Louis, Mo.
RB: Ezra Gray, Alabama State, r- Sr., Lynn Haven, Fla.
RB: Devon Starling, Tennessee State, r-Fr., Antioch, Tenn.
OL: Mark Evans, II, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Jr., Houston, Texas
OL: Danny Garza, Prairie View A&M, Sr., San Antonio, Texas 
OL: Johnathan Bishop, Southern, Sr., Birmingham, Ala.
OL: Jonathan Williams, Alabama A&M, Soph., Mobile, Ala.
OL: Trayvon Taylor, Alabama State, r-Fr., Miami, Fla.
TE: Terrance Ellis, Alabama State, r-Soph., Stockbridge, Ga.
WR: Daylen Baldwin, Jackson State, .Jr., Southfield, Mich.
WR: Abdul-Fatai Ibrahim, Alabama A&M, Soph., Miramar, Fla.

DEFENSE
DL: Jordan Lewis, Southern, Jr., Ocala, Fla.
DL: Marcus Cushine, Alabama A&M, Jr., Wellington, Fla.
DL: Jason Dumas, Prairie View A&M, Jr., Vacherie, La.
DL: Christian Clark, Alabama State, r-Sr., Euclid, Ohio. *
DL: Davoan Hawkins, Tennessee State, r-Soph., Hollywood, Fla. *
LB: Keonte Hampton, Jackson State, Soph., West Point, Miss.
LB: Storey Jackson, Prairie View A&M, Sr., Kansas City, Kan.
LB: Aubrey Miller, Jr., Jackson State, Sr., Memphis, Tenn. * 
LB: Isaac Peppers, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Jr., Greenville, Miss. *
DB: Jalon Thigpen, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Sr., Laurel, Miss.
DB: Decobie Durant, South Carolina State, r-Sr., Lamar, S.C.
DB: Naytron Culpeppper, Alabama State, Jr., Miami, Fla. *
DB: Irshaad  Davis, Alabama State, Soph., Opa Locka, Fla.*
DB: Jaylen Harris, Prairie View A&M, r-Sr., Round Rock, Texas *
DB: De'Jahn Warren, Jackson State, Jr., Landover, Md. *

SPECIALISTS
P: Cesar Barajas, Southern, Sr., Arcadia, Fla.
PK: Antonio Zita, Tennessee State, Jr., Fayetteville, Tenn.
RS: Tyrin Ralph, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, r-Sr., New Orleans, La.

Honorable Mention
QB: Jalon Jones, Jackson State
RB: Tyson Alexander, Jackson State; Gary Quarles, Alabama A&M
OL: J'Atyre Carter, Southern; Cam Durley, Tennessee State; Tony Gray, Jackson State
TE: Jeremy Brown, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
WR: Zabrian Moore, Alabama A&M; Josh Wilkes, Arkansas-Pine Bluff        
DL: Kendell Robinson, West Virginia State; Isaiah Williams, Delaware State
LB: Dustin Crouser, West Virginia State; BJ Davis, South Carolina State
DB: Chase Foster, Southern
P: Aubrey Grace, Alabama State
K: Cesar Barajas, Southern
PR: Warren Newman, Jackson State

*Tie

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