Winston-Salem State University defensive end William Hayes has been named to the American Urban Radio Networks (AURN) 2007 SBN Sports Black College All-American (BCAA) Team. He will be honored during the annual BCAA Awards Weekend Feb. 15-16 in Atlanta.
Hayes led WSSU with 8.5 sacks and was second on the team in total tackles with 78. He also broke up three passes and recovered four fumbles, two of which he returned for touchdowns for the Rams.
Over his past two seasons at WSSU, Hayes, a former star at High Point Andrews, combined for 16 sacks and 129 tackles.
Eighteen schools are represented on the list, led by three honors for the SBN Black College National Champion Tuskegee Golden Tigers.
Quarterback Jacary Atkinson of Tuskegee, who was named SBN Sports Doug Williams Offensive Player of the Year. Bethune Cookman linebacker Ronnie McCullough was named the SBN Sports Mel Blount Defensive Player of the Year, and Tuskegee head coach Willie Slater was named SBN Sports Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year.
Atkinson was the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) MVP and Offensive Player of the Year, lead the conference and Division II football in passing efficiency (188.0).
The running backs are Alabama State’s Jay Peck and Chad Simpson of Morgan State. Peck was named Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Offensive Player of the Year and finished the season with 246 carries for 1,186 yards and six touchdowns. Simpson led the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in rushing and set a single-season school record by accounting for 1,402 yards.
Grambling State’s Clyde Edwards, Howard University’s Jarahn Williams and Charles Moody of Alabama A&M make up the receiving corps. Edwards became GSU’s career record holder for career receiving yards, (2484) receptions (147) and touchdown receptions (37). Williams, a 5-10, 185-pound senior, led all MEAC receivers with 15 TD receptions while tying for the conference lead in scoring. Moody led SWAC tight ends with 38 receptions for 423 yards and 11.1 yards per catch. He also caught two touchdown passes.
The offensive linemen selections include Jackson State’s Lorenzo Breland, Norfolk State’s Jason Kressen, South Carolina State’s James Lee.
The defensive line is led by repeat performers Rudolph Hardie of Howard University and Hampton University’s Kendall Langford. They are joined by William Hayes of Winston-Salem State and Curtis Johnson of Clark-Atlanta.
Zach East of Prairie View, Marquez Davis of NSU and Bethune Cookman’s Ronnie McCullough – the Mel Blount Defensive Player of the Year Award — are the linebackers. East was also named SWAC Defensive Player of the Year. Davis, led NSU and ranked second in the MEAC with 107 tackles, 9.5 of which came behind the line of scrimmage. McCullough was named MEAC Defensive Player of the Year after finishing atop the nation with 149 tackles.
The defensive secondary is made up of Alabama A&M’s Al Donaldson, Southern’s Jarmaul George, Tennessee State’s Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Bobbie Williams of BCU. Donaldson was the nation’s co-leader in interceptions with nine. George had a Jaguar 64 tackles and four interceptions. Rodgers-Cromartie finished the 2007 season with two interceptions, both returned for TDs (69 and 71 yards). Williams ended the year with two interceptions and a team second-best 77 tackles.
Peter Gaertner of Delaware State University is SBN’s 2007 placekicker. During the season he led the MEAC with a DSU-record 19 field goals. Brandon Larkin of Clark-Atlanta, who finished second in the nation (Division II) in punting with 46.3 yards per game. is the punter.