BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Samford safety Chris Edmonds was named a first team All-American by the Associated Press when the organization released its postseason FCS All-America teams earlier this week.
 
This marks the second All-America team Edmonds has been named to this week, as we earned first team honors from STATS Perform on Monday.
 
Edmonds led the Southern Conference and tied for second in the nation in total interceptions with four. He also led the league and ranked 13^th in the nation in interceptions per game, averaging 0.6 picks per contest. Edmonds ranked third on the team in total tackles with 40, including 24 solo stops. He also had 2.5 tackles for loss, and he had one pass break-up for the season. Edmonds tallied one forced fumble and one fumble recovery as well.
 
He was involved in forcing six turnovers in Samford's first four games of the seven-game spring season. Edmonds forced a fumble and recovered it at ETSU. He then had an interception against Western Carolina, two interceptions at Furman, and an interception and a forced fumble against Wofford.
 
Edmonds was named the SoCon Defensive Player of the Week twice (Mar. 8 and Mar. 15), and he was tabbed as the league's Defensive Player of the Month for March. He was named first team All-SoCon, and was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, which goes to the top defensive player in all of FCS football.
 
Samford finished the spring season with a record of 4-3, wrapping up the season with an impressive 44-20 win over No. 23 Mercer April 17.
 
FIRST TEAM
Offense
Quarterback — Eric Barriere, senior, Eastern Washington.
Running backs — Otis Weah, sophomore; North Dakota; Julius Chestnut, sophomore, Sacred Heart.
Linemen — Cordell Volson, senior, North Dakota State; Drew Himmelman, senior, Illinois State; Garrett Greenfield, sophomore, South Dakota State; David Kroll, senior, Delaware; P.J. Burkhalter, senior, Nicholls.
Receivers — Jakob Herres, junior, VMI; Tyler Hudson, sophomore, Central Arkansas.
Tight end — Ryan Miller, junior, Furman.
All-purpose player — Christian Watson, junior, North Dakota State.
Kicker — Luis Aguilar, senior, Northern Arizona.
 
Defense
Linemen — Jared Brinkman, senior, Northern Iowa; Jahari Kay, senior, Sam Houston; Isiah Chambers, senior, McNeese State; Mike Greene, senior, James Madison.
Linebackers — La'akea Kaho'ohanohano-Davis, junior, Southern Utah; Stone Snyder, sophomore, VMI; Colby Campbell, senior, Presbyterian.
Secondary — Chris Edmonds, sophomore, Samford; Nicario Harper, sophomore, Jacksonville State; Robert Rochell, senior, Central Arkansas; Kendrick Whitehead, junior, Delaware.
Punter — Garrett Wegner, senior, North Dakota State.
 
SECOND TEAM
Offense
Quarterback — Cole Kelley, senior, Southeastern Louisiana.
Running backs — Dejoun Lee, senior, Delaware; Percy Ageyi-Obese, senior, James Madison.
Linemen — Ty Whitworth, senior, Weber State; Nathan Nguon, senior, North Dakota; Colby Thomas, senior, Sam Houston State; Raymond Gillespie, senior, James Madison.
Tight end — Trae Berry, senior, Jacksonville State.
Receivers — Avante Cox, junior, Southern Illinois; Jequez Ezzard, senior, Sam Houston.
All-purpose player — Quay Holmes, junior, ETSU.
Kicker — Ethan Ratke, senior, James Madison.
 
Defense
Linemen — Jordan Lewis, junior, Southern; Kobie Turner, junior, Richmond; Jevon Leon, sophomore, Sam Houston State; Kevin Glajchen, senior, San Diego.
Linebacker — Conner Mortensen, senior, Weber State; Bryson Armstrong, senior, Kennesaw; Tre Walker, junior, Idaho.
Secondary — Don Gardner, senior, South Dakota State; Kordell Jackson, senior, Murray State; Qua Brown, senior, Southern Illinois; Decobie Durant, senior, South Carolina State.
Punter — Cade Coffey, senior, Idaho.
 
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS:
For the latest news and information on Samford football, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordFootball (Facebook), @SamfordFootball (Instagram) and @SamfordFootball (Twitter).