SPARTANBURG, S.C. –Samford graduate linebacker
Noah Martin was named first team All-SoCon, while sophomore defensive back
C.J. Douglas and graduate long snapper
Alex Applefield both earned second team honors when the Southern Conference released its postseason football awards Tuesday afternoon.
Martin led a strong Samford defense throughout the season. He ranks seventh in the nation in tackles per game, averaging 10.4 stops per contest. His 114 total tackles rank third in the Southern Conference. He had double digit tackles in eight of the team's 11 games this season and he had at least seven tackles in each of the other three games. He tallied a season-high 14 tackles in his final game against Western Carolina.
In addition to his tackles, Martin had two interceptions, including one he returned 26 yards for a touchdown in the team's 55-35 win over seventh-ranked Mercer. He also tallied 10 tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Douglas also had a standout performance this season for a strong Samford defense. He finished third on the team with 63 tackles, including 41 solo stops. He also tallied two tackles for loss, one interception, five pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
Applefield has been the team's main long snapper for the past three seasons. He saw action in 35 games in the last three seasons. He has been a steady presence on Samford's special teams throughout his collegiate career.
2024 Coaches All-Southern Conference Football Team
Roy M. "Legs" Hawley Offensive Player of the Year – Dwayne McGee, Sr., RB, Mercer
Defensive Player of the Year – Brayden Manley, So., DL, Mercer
Freshman of the Year – Andrew Zock, DL, Mercer
Jacobs Blocking Award – Luke Smith, Gr., OL, ETSU
Wallace Wade Coach of the Year – Mike Jacobs, Mercer
First team offense
QB Cole Gonzales, Jr., Western Carolina
RB Dwayne McGee, Sr., Mercer
RB Reggie Davis, Jr., Chattanooga
OL Luke Smith, Gr., ETSU
OL Israel Mukwiza, Sr., Mercer
OL Reid Williams, Sr., Chattanooga
OL Tyriq Poindexter, Jr., VMI
OL Blake Whitmore, Sr., Western Carolina
TE Jake Young, So., Western Carolina
WR AJ Johnson, So., ETSU
WR Sam Phillips, Jr., Chattanooga
WR AJ Colombo, Jr., Western Carolina
First team defense
DL Jaylen George, So., ETSU
DL Luke Clark, Sr., Furman
DL Brayden Manley, So., Mercer
DL Marlon Taylor, Sr., Chattanooga
LB Evan DiMaggio, Sr., Furman
LB Isaac Dowling, Gr., Mercer
LB Noah Martin, Gr., Samford
DB TJ Moore, Sr., Mercer
DB Myles Redding, Sr., Mercer
DB Josh Battle, Jr., Chattanooga
DB Reuben Lowery III, Sr., Chattanooga
First team special teams
PK Ian Williams, Sr., Furman
P James Platte, Gr., The Citadel
LS Nathan Tokar, Gr., The Citadel
RS Colton Hinton, So., Furman
Second team offense
QB Johnathan Bennett, Gr., The Citadel
RB Bryson Irby, Sr., ETSU
RB Hunter Rice, Sr., VMI
OL Derrell Bailey Jr., Sr., ETSU
OL Luke Petit, Jr., Furman
OL Riley Adcock, Sr., Mercer
OL EJ Johnson, Jr., Mercer
OL Derek Simmons, Sr., Western Carolina
OL Anthony Garcia, Sr., Wofford
TE Jordan Davis, Sr., Wofford
WR Javin Whatley, Jr., Chattanooga
WR Kyle Watkins, Sr., Wofford
Second team defense
DL Arias Nash, Jr., Mercer
DL Andrew Zock, Fr., Mercer
DL Quay Wiggles, Sr., Chattanooga
DL Anthonie Lattany, Sr., Wofford
LB Zach West, Sr., ETSU
LB Ken Standley, Gr., Mercer
LB Eric Rankin, Sr., VMI
DB C.J. Douglas, So., Samford
DB Jordan Walker, Jr., Chattanooga
DB Shamus Jones, Sr., VMI
DB Mateo Sudipo, Sr., Western Carolina
DB Amir Annoor, Sr., Wofford
Second team special teams
PK Jude Kelley, Jr., Chattanooga
P John McConnell, Jr., Mercer
LS Alex Applefield, Gr., Samford
RS Brayden Smith, So., Mercer
All-Freshman Offense
Gavin Hall, Furman
Trey Hedden, Furman
Jackson Pryor, Furman
Kendall Harris, Mercer
Tyler Murray, Mercer
Whitt Newbauer, Mercer
Ethen Horne, VMI
Taron Dickens, Western Carolina
Zach Watson, Western Carolina
Luke Moise, Wofford
Amari Odom, Wofford
All-Freshman Defense
Caldwell Bussey, Furman
Ryan Earl, Furman
Billy Lewis, Furman
Jaylan Moson, Furman
Andrew Zock, Mercer
Leroy Harris III, Chattanooga
Beni Mwamba, Chattanooga
Asa Locks, VMI
Bo Simpson-Nealy, Western Carolina
C.J. Coombes, Wofford
Marion Smokes, Wofford
All-Freshman Special Teams
Braylon Knauth, The Citadel
Riley Smith, Furman
Austin Fletcher, VMI
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