WICHITA FALLS, Texas --- Tusculum College's
Jarrell NeSmith and Corey Russell
have been named to the 2008 Daktronics NCAA Division II All-America
Football Team announced officials Tuesday afternoon. NeSmith was
named the First Team tight end, while Russell earned Second Team
recognition at quarterback.
This is the 16th year the Daktronics All-America team has been
selected by a voted of sports information directors from NCAA
Division II playing members.
NeSmith, a 6-2, 215-pound junior from Russellville, Ala., earned
All-South Atlantic Conference First Team and Daktronics Super
Region Two First Team honors this year, finishing second on the
team and in the league with 67 receptions. His catch tally is the
third-best in school history. He totaled 635 receiving yards, while
making seven touchdown receptions, which are tied for the fourth
most in TC history.
NeSmith was also recognized for his off the field success as he
was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America®
College Division Third Team last week. The Russellville High School
graduate has a 3.83 cumulative grade point average as a
Pre-Medicine major. He is a two-time Academic All-District First
Team selection, was also named the SAC Scholar Athlete for Football
for a second consecutive year. He is a member of the SAC
Commissioner's Honor Roll and the Tusculum Athletic Director's
Honor Roll.
Russell, a 6-4, 190-pound senior from Speedwell, Tenn., smashed the
record books in the finest season ever posted by a Pioneer signal
caller. The 2008 South Atlantic Conference Offensive Player of the
Year and Daktronics Region Player of the Year peppered his name
throughout the Tusculum, SAC and NCAA II record books.
Russell, who finished as one of eight national finalists for the
Harlon Hill Trophy (Division II Player of the Year), established 15
Tusculum records this season, including a pair of NCAA Division II
bests. He recorded 300 or more total offensive yards on 11
occasions this season, which were the best in DII history. He
recorded 674 total offensive plays, which are a new NCAA II record.
The All-SAC First Team signal caller established league
single-season records in total offensive yards (4907), passing
yards (4097) and touchdown passes (37). He also set TC season
records for completions (301) and pass attempts (505).
Russell caps one of the most successful careers in Division II
history. His 11,315 total offensive yards are the most ever by a
Pioneer, second in SAC history and ninth in NCAA II history. The
Cumberland Gap High School graduate also set career marks in pass
attempts (1382), completions (773), passing yards (9887), TD passes
(82), touchdowns accounted for (103), interceptions (49) and total
offensive attempts (1853). He also becomes the first Tusculum
quarterback to earn NCAA II All-American and All-Region honors.
The Pioneers posted a 9-4 record winning four of their last five
outings to capture TC's second South Atlantic Conference title in
five years. Tusculum also made its first-ever appearance in the
NCAA Division II Playoffs, advancing to the Final 16.
This year's All-America team is headlined by Abilene Christian
running back Bernard Scott and Northwest Missouri State safety
Myles Burnsides, who were selected as the Ron Lenz Offensive and
Defensive Players of the Year, respectively. The awards are named
in honor of Ron Lenz, the retired sports information director at
S
NeSMITH, RUSSELL NAMED TO DAKTRONICS NCAA II ALL-AMERICA FOOTBALL TEAM
Posted: Dec 09, 2008