Odum, 3 others represent UCA with Associated Press All-America honors

George Odum
George Odum

Four University of Central Arkansas players earned Associated Press All-America honors Tuesday, including George Odum, John Cook, Tremon Smith and Chris Terrell.

Odum, a senior safety/linebacker from Millington, Tenn., earned first-team All-America honors. Cook, a junior offensive lineman from Grenada, Miss., was a second-team selection, while senior cornerback Tremon Smith and sophomore defensive end Chris Terrell were named to the third team.

The team was chosen by a panel of 10 media members who cover the second tier of Division I football.

Odum, the Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year, was UCA's leading tackler for the second consecutive season (120 total tackles) and finished his career fourth in UCA history with 350 tackles. Cook was the Southland Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year and helped UCA finish second in the league in scoring offense, passing offense and total offense.

Smith, a senior from Anniston, Ala., led the Bears with five interceptions and finished his career with 15 interceptions, tied for fifth on UCA's career list. Terrell, a sophomore from Pensacola, Fla., led the Southland in tackles for loss with 20, tied for second in sacks with 11 and also forced 3 fumbles.

The Bears finished 10-2 overall and reached the second round of the NCAA FCS playoffs for the second consecutive season. UCA earned the No. 4 national seed in the FCS playoffs and finished the regular season ranked No. 3 in both national polls.

The Southland Conference earned a total of 12 selections to the All-America teams, led by UCA and Sam Houston State with four each.

Defending national champion and top-ranked James Madison placed three players on the FCS All-America first team, more than any other school.

James Madison was represented by offensive lineman Aaron Stinnie, defensive lineman Andrew Ankrah and defensive back Jordan Brown. The Dukes play South Dakota State in the FCS semifinals Saturday.

South Dakota quarterback Chris Streveler and Cal Davis receiver Keelan Doss, two of the three finalists for the Walter Payton Award that goes to the best offensive player in FCS, were also selected as All-Americans. The other finalist, Sam Houston quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe, was selected to the second team. Briscoe won the Payton last year.

South Dakota placed offensive lineman Jacob Ohnesorge and tight end Dallas Goedert on the first team. Goedert is an All-American for the second consecutive season.

The other FCS semifinal features North Dakota State and Sam Houston State, both of which had two FCS All-Americans.

North Dakota was represented on the first team by linebacker Nick DeLuca and offensive lineman Austin Kuhnert. Sam Houston State had receiver Davion Davis and defensive lineman P.J. Hall on the first team.

Hall is also an All-American for the second consecutive year along with linebacker Darius Leonard of South Carolina State.

Sports on 12/13/2017

Upcoming Events