Stanley leads list of FAMU players to earn post-season awards
Special to the Outlook
Led by record-setting quarterback Ryan Stanley, several FAMU football players have picked up post-season honor with awards or team honors.
Stanley, a red-shirt senior, continued to add to his postseason accolades last week as he was selected the BOXTOROW Offensive Player of the Year. He is the first FAMU player to win BOXTOROW Offensive Player of the Year honors.
Stanley also earned MEAC Offensive Player of the Year honors that was presented in New York City. Additionally, he is a Black College Football Player of the Year finalist.
Quarterback Ryan Stanley stands between athletic director Kortne Gosha (left) and coach Willie Simmons at the recent MEAC post-season ceremonies in New York.
Photo courtesy FAMU athletics
Stanley led the Rattlers to a 9-2 overall record this season and the program’s first national ranking since 2009. A native of Pembroke Pines, Fla., he was the top passer in the MEAC, averaging over 256 yards per game.
He has broken four program career records at Florida A&M, setting new marks for passing touchdowns, passing completions, passing attempts and passing yards. He threw for 2,566 yards and 23 touchdowns this season and had three 300-yard games, including a 427-yard outing against South Carolina State.
Also a First Team All-MEAC selection, Stanley leaves the Rattlers as the all-time career leader in touchdowns (67), pass attempts (1,187), completions (636) and passing yards (8,424). He is ranked first in MEAC history in pass attempts and second in total passing yards (8,424) and pass completions.
Bell, Smith make Hero Sport All-America team
Defensive back Markquese Bell and wide receiver Xavier Smith were named to the Hero Sports Sophomore All-America Team last week.
Smith, a native of Haines City, Fla. earned Hero Sports First-Team honors, while Bell, a native of Bridgeton, N.J., garnered honorable mention honors.
Kicker Chris Faddoul boots one of his many big punts for the Rattlers this past season.
Photo courtesy FAMU athletics
Smith is a redshirt sophomore, who had a phenomenal season, which landed him as a MEAC First-Team wide receiver. He led the MEAC in receiving yards (1,159) and receptions (77). Smith was the only receiver in the MEAC to eclipse the 1,000-yard receiving mark this season, and was also second in the MEAC in TD receptions (11). In addition, Smith currently ranks fifth nationally in receiving yards per game, ninth in receptions per game, ninth in receiving yards and 16th in receiving touchdowns.
Bell is a redshirt sophomore safety, who had a remarkable 2019 campaign that landed him on the MEAC First-Team. Bell tied for the league lead in interceptions (5) and had 38 solo tackles (61 total) with five tackles for loss.
Smith was named to BOXTOROW All-America Team and Bell was a BOXTOROW honorable mention. Smith was named to Hero Sports Sophomore All-American, while Bell was honorable mention.
Faddoul makes AP Third Team
Not lost in the post-season is FAMU’s Chris Faddoul, who was named to the Associated Press FCS All-American Third Team last week.
A junior punter from Wesley Chapel, Fla. Faddoul continued to be one of the most consistent punters in all of college football. He showcased his powerful leg all season long and finished second in all of FCS averaging 46.0 yards per punt.
Faddoul, who ranks second nationally in punting, booted a season high 72 yard punt against North Carolina A&T Oct. 20.
Faddou’s other post season awards include being names All-MEAC First Team Punter, MEAC Special Teams Player of the Week for Sept. 23 and Oct. 21, STATS FCS Honorable Mention Specialist for Sept. 2, BOXTOROW All-American, Phil Steele Preseason FCS All-American Second Team and
All-MEAC Preseason First Team Punter.
