Pirate Quartet Named To Coaches All-Freshman Team
December 05, 2006 | Football
Dec. 5, 2006
IRVING, Texas - Conference USA announced its 2006 Football Coaches All-Freshman team today, as selected by the league's 12 coaches. All 12 of the league's schools were represented with at least one selection, with SMU placing a league-high five players (covering six positions) on the squad, while East Carolina was second with four. SMU's Emmanuel Sanders was named to the team as both a wide receiver and kick returner, while UAB's Rashad Slaughter was listed as wide receiver and a punt returner.
Sanders is third in the league with 12 returns for 288 yards, an average of 24.0 yards per return. In conference games he had seven receiving touchdowns and averaged 14.7 yards per catch. Sanders is joined on the team by teammate and quarterback Justin Willis, running back James Mapps, defensive back Bryan McCann and long snapper Sam Bennett. Willis put up impressive numbers at the helm of the Mustang offense in 2006, ranking 10th in the nation in passing efficiency and setting a new school record with 26 touchdown passes.
Leading the way for the Pirates on the All-Freshman team are offensive linemen Terence Campbell and Cory Dowless. ECU also placed defensive lineman Scotty Robinson and linebacker Van Eskridge on the list.
East Division Champion Southern Miss had three selections to the team, led by standout running back Damion Fletcher. Fletcher is second in the league, averaging 112 yards per game and has racked up a freshman school record 1,335 yards and nine touchdowns. He was also an All-Conference USA first-team selection at running back by the media and the coaches. Linebacker Gerald McRath and defensive back Eddie Hicks were named to the team on defense.
UAB had two players earn recognition at three total positions. Rashad Slaughter grabbed 16 passes as a receiver and had six punt returns on special teams. Blazer offensive lineman Jake Seitz was also named to the team.
Marshall, Memphis and Rice each had two All-Freshman honorees, while Houston, Tulsa, UCF and UTEP each had one player recognized. Marshall's top performer was tight end Cody Slate, the Memphis selections were paced by defensive end Greg Terrell and Rice's picks included kicker Clark Fangmeier. Defensive back Brandon Brinkley represents Houston, defensive lineman Anthony Egbuniwe is on the team for Tulsa, offensive lineman Jeramy DeVane made the squad for UCF and defensive back Braxton Amy is listed for UTEP.
Conference USA will announce its Coaches Freshman of the Year on Wednesday.
2006 C-USA FOOTBALL COACHES ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarterback - Justin Willis, SMU
Running Back - Damion Fletcher, Southern Miss
Running Back - James Mapps, SMU
Offensive Lineman - Terence Campbell, East Carolina
Offensive Lineman - Jeramy DeVane, UCF
Offensive Lineman - Cory Dowless, East Carolina
Offensive Lineman - Nick Landry, Tulane
Offensive Lineman - Jake Seitz, UAB
Tight End - Cody Slate, Marshall
Wide Receiver - Emmanuel Sanders, SMU
Wide Receiver - Duke Calhoun, Memphis
Wide Receiver - Rashad Slaughter, UAB
DEFENSE
Defensive Lineman - Anthony Egbuniwe, Tulsa
Defensive Lineman - Greg Terrell, Memphis
Defensive Lineman - Troy Wilson, Tulane
Defensive Lineman - Scotty Robinson, East Carolina
Linebacker - Van Eskridge, East Carolina
Linebacker - Terrance Garmon, Rice
Linebacker - Gerald McRath, Southern Miss
Defensive Back - Zearrick Matthews, Marshall
Defensive Back - Bryan McCann, SMU
Defensive Back - Eddie Hicks, Southern Miss
Defensive Back - Braxton Amy, UTEP
Defensive Back - Brandon Brinkley, Houston
SPECIAL TEAMS
Placekicker - Clark Fangmeier, Rice
Kick Returner - Emmanuel Sanders, SMU
Punt Returner - Rashad Slaughter, UAB
Long Snapper - Sam Bennett, SMU
