• Complete College Sports Journal Freshman All-American Team (PDF)
Three Ohio Valley Conference football players have been named to the 2012 College Sports Journal FCS Freshman All-America Team.
The three were among the 63 named to the squad that represents the only all-freshman team in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). The 63 players are representative of the 63 scholarships allowed to teams that compete in FCS.
The OVC selctions included Jacksonville State defensive back
Jermaine Hough, Tennessee State tight end
Joe Bowens and Tennessee Tech return specialist
Ladarius Vanlier.
Hough, an OVC All-Newcomer pick this past year, played in all 11 games as a true freshman and finished seventh on the team with 42 tackles, including 29 solo stops. He was second on the team with six tackles for 34 yards loss. He also led the team with three interceptions, while recording 11 passes defended, eight pass breakups and one quarterback hurry.
Bowens had 28 catches for 348 yards and a pair of touchdowns in 2012 on his way to OVC All-Newcomer Team honors. He was one of just two tight ends named to the team.
Vanlier, an OVC All-Newcomer selection, ranked second in the OVC in kick return yardage and fourth in kick return average. He was sixth in punt return average, leading the Golden Eagles in both categories. He returned 32 kickoffs for 668 yards to average 20.9 per try. His returns included a 94-yard return for a touchdown in Tech's game at Murray State. He returned 12 pints for 96 yards, averaging 8.0 yards per tote.