• 2021 HERO Sports All-American Teams: Overall Team | Freshman All-Americans | Sophomore All-Americans
On Tuesday HERO Sports announced its 2021 All-American Teams.
A pair of OVC players were named to the All-American Team, two were tabbed as Freshmen All-Americans and six were named Sophomore All-Americans.
The overall All-American Team included Austin Peay gradudate student defensive backs
Koby Perry (second-team) and
Johnathon Edwards (third-team).
The Freshman All-American Team included Ausitn Peay wide receiver
Drae McCray and Southeast Missouri linebacker
Bryce Norman.
The Sophomore All-American Team included Austin Peay quarterback
Draylen Ellis, Tennessee State running back
Devon Starling, Murray State running back
Damonta Witherspoon, UT Martin running back
Zak Wallace and offensive lineman
Michael Shanahan and Austin Peay defensive lineman
Terrell Allen.
Perry, the OVC Defensive Player of the Year, compiled 85 tackles (7.7 pg), eight tackles for loss, two interceptions, and three pass breakups (after having just 36 tackles during the spring). His 75-yard interception return for a touchdown at UT Martin was a masterclass in reading the play and attacking the point of the pass. Yet that game was even more impressive thanks to his 16 tackles – most by a Governor in 2021 – he was quite literally everywhere at once.
During the regular season, Edwards tied for second nationally with 7 interceptions in 11 games, a mark that ranked second in APSU history. He had two interceptions in season-opening win at nationally-ranked Chattanooga and added three interceptions in victory at Eastern Illinois. The Govs were 3-1 in games that he had an interception. He also had two fumble recoveries to finish the year with nine takeaways, the second-most nationally during the regular season.. Edwards helped key a defense that had FCS-best 26 total takeaways and 19 total interceptions.
McCray was named a first-team All-OVC selection after leading Austin Peay with 53 catches for 882 yards (16.6 ypc) and eight touchdowns in 11 games. He was part of a wide receiver trio that spread the wealth, with each of them earning first-team All-OVC honors. In the final week of regular season, he caught seven passes for 237 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Tennessee Tech. The four touchdown catches tied a school record while the 237 yards were the second-most in program history and third-most in the FCS this season. Through the regular season, McCray ranked 23rd nationally in receiving yards (867) and receiving touchdowns (8).
Norman led the SEMO defense with 66 tackles (32 solo) in 11 games. He tallied 7.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, four quarterback hurries and forced three fumbles; his three forced fumbles ranked him 25th nationally (0.27/game), and fourth nationally among freshmen. Norman had a season-high 14 tackles against nationally-ranked UT Martin on October 23, and added 10 tackles against Murray State the prior week. The SEMO team ranked second in the OVC and 35th nationally in turnover margin (+0.36/game) and was also first in the OVC in red zone defense.
The 2020-21 OVC Co-Freshman of the Year, Ellis followed his impressive freshman campaign with a solid sophomore outing. He was ranked among the FCS leaders and led the OVC in passing touchdowns (19), passing yards (2,625), yards per completion (13.7), and total offense (268.5 ypg). Ellis became only the third Governors quarterback to record 2,500-plus passing yards in a season. He also set program records for passing yards per game (262.5) and total offense per game (268.5).
Starling followed his Co-Freshman of the Year honors by earning second-team All-OVC honors this year. He was injured in the next-to-last game of the year (which limited him to just 15 carries and 39 yards over final two games) but still finished the year ranked 45th nationally with 800 total rushing yards and three touchdowns. Starling also caught 37 passes (for 312 yards) which was the most on the TSU team, 5th most among all players in the OVC and tied for 1st among all running backs. That mark was eighth among all FCS running backs. Against OVC champion UT Martin, he rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown and caught 12 passes for 117 yards; the 12 receptions was the most of any FCS running back in a game this season.
Witherspoon, a second-team All-OVC pick, ranked 3rd in the OVC and 23rd nationally in rushing yards (912) during the regular season. He was 27th in rushing yards/game (82.7), scored eight rushing touchdowns and caught 18 passes for 170 yards and another touchdown. Witherspoon also flashed his arm by throwing a 25-yard touchdown pass. He had a season-best 141 rushing yards against Eastern Illinois and hit the 100-yard mark in three of his final four games of the year.
Despite splitting carries with a fellow first-team All-OVC pick, Wallace ran for 745 yards and 14 touchdowns in 11 regular season games and after two playoff games finished with 807 yards and 15 scores. During the regular season the 14 touchdowns were tied for the OVC lead and ranked seven nationally. He also ranked 21st nationally in rushing yards/carry (5.91). He scored a touchdown in 10 of 12 games, including a season-best three in a win at Murray State. Wallace helped the Skyhawks to its first OVC Championship since 2006.
Shanahan was a key part of an offensive line that ranked sixth nationally in fewest sacks allowed (0.91/game). The team ranked eighth nationally in rushing yards/game (231.3) and set a new program record with 32 total rushing touchdowns (30 in the regular season). He helped blocked for running back duo that combined for 1,928 yards and 19 touchdowns, while quarterback added 474 additional yards and 10 scores.
Allen made the jump to second-team All-OVC after a campaign that saw him record 11 tackles for loss and five sacks. His 11 TFLs were tied for most in the OVC, and his five sacks were third-most in the league. Allen also averaged 3.3 tackles per game, ranking fifth among OVC defensive linemen. His two-and-half sacks and two hurries against Eastern Illinois were the highlight of a notable season.
2021 HERO SPORTS ALL-AMERICAN SELECTIONS
DB - Koby Perry, Austin Peay (2nd Team)
DB - Johnathon Edwards, Austin Peay (3rd Team)
2021 HERO SPORTS FRESHMEN ALL-AMERICANS
WR - Drae McCray, Austin Peay
LB - Bryce Norman, Southeast Missouri
2021 HERO SPORTS SOPHOMORE ALL-AMERICANS
QB - Draylen Ellis, Austin Peay
RB - Devon Starling, Tennessee State
RB - Zak Wallace, UT Martin *
RB - Damonta Witherspoon, Murray State *
OL - Michael Shanahan, UT Martin
DL - Terrell Allen, Austin Peay
NOTES:
* Wallace and Witherspoon played full spring seasons and incorrectly listed on the Freshman AA Team in the release.
** Two additional players (EIU's Jason Johnson and MSU's Marcis Floyd) were listed on the Sophomore AA Team, but earned the honor last season (before their COVID year).