Nine FAMU football players make all-MEAC teams
Special to the Outlook
The Florida A&M University football team had nine players selected to the All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) football teams on Tuesday.
Six of those Rattlers earned first-team honors.
FAMU receiver Xavier Smith, who led the conference in receiving yards and receptions, was recently named to the all-MEAC team. Photo courtesy FAMU athletics
Earning spots on the All-MEAC First Team were quarterback Ryan Stanley, wide receiver Xavier Smith, offensive lineman Keenan Forbes, safety Markquese Bell, defensive back Terry Jefferson and punter Chris Faddoul.
Wide receiver/return specialist Marcus Williams landed on the All-MEAC Second Team, while linebacker Elijah Richardson and placekicker, Yahia Aly, were given third-team honors.
Stanley, who is a finalist for the coveted FCS Walter Payton Award, finished the season 193-of-321 passing for 2,566 yards, 23 touchdowns and seven interceptions. His 23 touchdown passes were tied for the most TD passes thrown by a MEAC quarterback this season. During the 2019 season, Stanley set the FAMU all-time career records for touchdown passes, passing yards, completions and passing attempts.
Smith, a redshirt sophomore, had a phenomenal season. He led the MEAC in receiving yards (1,159) and receptions (77). Smith was the only receiver in the MEAC to go eclipse the 1,000-yard receiving mark this season, and was also second in the MEAC in TD receptions this season (11).
Forbes, a redshirt junior offensive lineman from Miami, earned his first MEAC postseason honors. He was a key member of an offensive line that did a phenomenal job in pass protection, giving up a league low eight sacks through 11 games.
Bell, a redshirt sophomore safety, had a remarkable 2019 campaign. Bell tied for the league lead in interceptions (5) and had 38 solo tackles (61) with five tackles for loss.
Jefferson finishes his career at FAMU with an All-MEAC First Team selection. Jefferson, a graduate student from Miami, finished the season with 69 total tackles, 33 solo tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, one interception and one sack. Jefferson also had fumble recovery against Morgan State, which he scooped up and returned it for a 50-yard touchdown.
Faddoul, a junior punter from Wesley Chapel, 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.
Williams, a redshirt senior wide receiver from Miami, worked his way on the All-MEAC Second Team as a return specialist. Williams returned 18 kickoffs for 484 yards and one touchdown. Against Delaware State, Williams returned a kickoff 94 yards for a score. As a receiver, Williams caught 32 passes for 384 yards and 4 TDs through eight games. He caught the game winning touchdown pass in overtime against North Carolina A&T.
Richardson, a redshirt senior from Port St. Lucie, made the All-MEAC Third Team. Richardson led the Rattler defense in total tackles (73) and was second on the team in solo tackles (35). Richardson was also second on the team in tackles for loss (8) and sacks (3.5)
Aly rounded out the All-MEAC selections for the Rattlers. Aly earned a third team selection, going 8 for 15 on field goal attempts this season. He made two field goals from 50 yards out, including a 52 yarder against Norfolk State; which is the second longest made field goal in FAMU football history.
