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Southwestern University

Hicks, Johnson, Kelly named USA College Football’s DIII Freshman All-Stars

Hicks, Johnson, Kelly named USA College Football’s DIII Freshman All-Stars
Posted: Dec 11, 2014

USA College Football announced their 2014 D-III Freshman All-Stars Thursday in conjunction with the 2014 All-American teams. Quarterback Bryan Hicks, defensive back DeeJay Johnson and defensive back Nik Kelly were selected for the Pirates.

Selections are contributed by NCAA Division III Conferences, Head Coaches, Sports Information Directors, National, Regional and Local Broadcast & Print Media, American Football Coaches Association, Lindy's Sports, Regional Football Writers' Associations, Professional Football Franchise Scouts and Certified Players' Agents as well as the staff of USA Football Network, Inc. All seniors, with no remaining football eligibility, are candidates to participate in the 21st Annual USA Football Bowl in Jackson, MS from January 16 to January 20, 2015.

Kelly was named the SCAC Newcomer of the Year and First Team All-SCAC after an outstanding season defensively where he led the SCAC in passes defended and interceptions despite some games where he faced zero pass attempts. He was second in pass break-ups and added in 42 tackles with 24 solo tackles. Kelly was nominated for the 2014 Cliff Harris Award after ending the season third in the nation in passes defended.

Hicks and Johnson were Honorable Mention All-SCAC picks this season. Hicks, a 6-0, 180-pound first-year quarterback from Humble, Texas, was third in the SCAC in touchdowns with 11 and fourth in nearly every other category in his first season with the Pirates, despite missing five games this season. He had a season-high 334 yards in the November 1st game against Austin College and posted four touchdowns against Sul Ross State.

Johnson, a 6-3, 160-pound first-year defensive back from Humble, Texas, was 29th in the SCAC in solo tackles and in the top 50 in assists, tackles and tackles per game. He has a season-high five tackles against Sul Ross State.

The three Pirates were joined by two Trinity Tigers for SCAC representation in the category. Only 49 offensive players and 50 defensive players were selected throughout the nearly 250 NCAA Division III institutions.

Southwestern earned their first win after reinstating the program against Sul Ross State on September 13th and closed their second season at 1-8.