SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Phil Steele announced its FCS All-America Teams and FCS Freshman All-America Teams on Wednesday, with eight Southern Conference student-athletes earning mention on the former and 16 on the latter.

The Citadel’s Willie Eubanks III, the SoCon Defensive Player of the Year, earned first-team All-America honors at linebacker. ETSU and Furman had two All-Americans each, with the Bucs’ Artevius Smith earning third-team honors at defensive back and Nasir Player taking fourth-team laurels on the defensive line. The Paladins’ Grayson Atkins was a second-team pick at kicker and Devin Wynn was a fourth-team selection at running back.

The SoCon had four first-teamers on the Freshman All-America squads, with Chattanooga running back Ailym Ford and Furman offensive lineman Evan Jumper earning nods on offense, Wofford defensive lineman Michael Mason doing so on defense and Mercer long snapper Zach Lassiter taking the honor on special teams.

All nine SoCon squads had at least one Freshman All-America selection, with Chattanooga leading the way with three.

For the complete All-America and Freshman All-America teams, click here.

Phil Steele All-America
First team
Defense
LB – Willie Eubanks III, Jr., The Citadel

Second team
Offense
RB – Alex Ramsey, R-Jr., VMI
Special teams
K – Grayson Atkins, Jr., Furman
PR – Montrell Washington, Jr., Samford

Third team
Offense
OL – Blake Jeresaty, Jr., Wofford
Defense
DB – Artevius Smith, R-Sr., ETSU

Fourth team
Offense
RB – Devin Wynn, Jr., Furman
Defense
DL – Nasir Player, R-Sr., ETSU


Phil Steele Freshman All-America
First team
Offense
RB – Ailym Ford, Chattanooga
OL – Evan Jumper, Furman
Defense
DL – Michael Mason, Wofford
Special teams
LS – Zach Lassiter, Mercer

Second team
Offense
WR – Leroy Thomas, VMI
Defense
LB – TriMarcus Cheeks, Samford

Third team
Offense
OL – Isaiah Helms, Western Carolina
OL – Jonathan Toole, The Citadel
Defense
DL – Tanner Barnes, Wofford
Special teams
LS – Kevin Thompson, Western Carolina

Fourth team
Offense
TE – Michael Vice, Samford
OL – John Thomas, Mercer
OL – Tavon Matthews, ETSU
OL – Colin Truett, Chattanooga
Defense
LB – Donovan Manuel, ETSU
Special teams
LS – Cody Olszewski, Chattanooga