• Complete HERO Sports Freshman All-American Team
Jacksonville State defensive back
Yul Gowdy and Murray State punter
Steve Dawson have been named honorable mention FCS Freshman All-Americans by HERO Sports.
Gowdy started 12 of 13 games for OVC Champion Jacksonville State. He was part of a defense that ranked 16th nationally in total defense (311.3 yards/game), 18th in pass defense (182.3 yards/game) and 24th in rushing defense (129.0 yards/game). Gowdy tallied 41 tackles (31 solo), 1.0 tackles-for-loss, one interception and 10 pass breakups (ranking him ninth in the OVC in passes defended/game).
Dawson led the OVC and ranked 19th nationally in punt average (42.1 yards/punt). That mark was second in the FCS among all freshmen. He punted 54 times for 2,274 total yards with only four touchbacks. Dawson had a long punt of 66 yards and 10 punts of 50-plus yards, while 16 of his punts were downed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. He helped the Racers rank third nationally in net punting (39.43 yards/punt) and 23rd nationally in punt return defense (5.42 yards/punt).
HERO Sports Freshman All-Americans From the OVC
DB - Yul Gowdy, Jacksonville State (HM)
P - Steve Dawson, Murray State (HM)