Offensive Players of the Year
Steve Baylark, Massachusetts
Senior, RB, 6-0, 225 lbs.
Apopka, FL/Apopka HS
One of five players in I-AA history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in four straight seasons, Baylark led the A-10 in rushing yards (1,960) and rushing touchdowns (15)...led the Conference with ten 100-yard rushing performances and had 23 receptions for 237 yards and three touchdowns...finished 10th in the voting for the Walter Payton Award...joins Gary Wilkos (1990) as the lone players in program annals to be named the Conference's Offensive Player of the Year.
Ricky Santos, New Hampshire
Junior, QB, 6-2, 215 lbs.
Bellingham, MA/Bellingham HS
Santos is the fourth player in league history and first since former Villanova and current Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook (2000-01) to earn Offensive Player of the Year honors in successive seasons...ranked in the top 10 nationally in completions (22.5 pg. - fourth), passing yards (3,125 - third) and total offense (269.5 ypg. - eighth)...tossed a league-high 29 touchdown passes and led the league with five 300-yard passing performances...rushed for 378 yards and 12 touchdowns...became the fifth player and second quarterback in league history to win the Walter Payton Award.
Defensive Player of the Year
Akeem Jordan, James Madison
Senior, LB, 6-0, 235 lbs.
Harrisonburg, VA/Harrisonburg HS
Jordan collected a league-leading 140 tackles, including 16 behind the line of scrimmage in anchoring a JMU defense which ranks fourth nationally in rushing (84.8 ypg.) and 15th in scoring (16.8 ppg.)...registered 5.5 of the Dukes' nation-leading 47 sacks along with three pass breakups, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery...one of 16 candidates for the Buck Buchanan Award...is the fourth player in program history and second in as many years to earn the Conference's Defensive Player of the Year award.
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Eric Ward, Richmond
Freshman, QB, 6-3, 195 lbs.
Atlanta, GA/SW Dekalb HS
Ward completed 132-of-221 attempts for 1,424 yards with 11 touchdowns and six interceptions...was a two-time A-10 Rookie of the Week selection...rushed for 130 yards and a pair of scores.
Defensive Rookie of the Year
Luke Bonus, Hofstra
Freshman, LB, 5-9, 191 lbs.
Medford Lakes, NJ/Shawnee HS
Bonus led Hofstra with 97 tackles, the most of any freshman in the Atlantic 10...twice named the A-10 Rookie of the Week, the linebacker reached double digits in tackles in five of the Pride's 11 games and tallied 8.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage...recorded four pass breakups, two sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Special Teams Player of the Year
Rob Zarrilli, Hofstra
Junior, PK, 6-0, 193 lbs.
Orlando, FL/Colonial HS
Zarrilli coverted a league-high 18 of his 21 field goal opportunities and 14-of-16 extra point attempts to share the team scoring lead with 68 points...named to the All-Conference first-team for the second consecutive year...ranks second nationally in field goals per game (1.64)...made at least two field goals in five of Hofstra's 11 contests and was 6-for-7 on field goal attempts of 40 or more yards.