Quartet from Brockport's Football Team Earn All-American Recognition
AP Release
D3Football.com Release
Four student-athletes from the Empire 8 Conference champion Brockport football team were recognized as All-Americans recently as the Associated Press and D3Football.com named their honorees. E8 Defensive Player of the Year,
Austin Dean, was named a First Team All-American by D3Football, while offensive lineman
Caleb Ferdilus earned First Team recognition by the AP. Dean was also tabbed the East Region Defensive Player of the Year by D3Football.com. Also recognized for their outstanding seasons were
Matt Arita and
Rashad Baker.
To see the complete list of accolades, please see below
CLOSER LOOK
Dean had an outstanding senior campaign. He was a terrifying sight for opponents lined up on the opposite side, as the imposing senior dominated on defense. He racked up 49 tackles over the course of 2018, with 20 solo tackles. He also posted 13 tackles for a loss of 54 total yards, picked up 6.5 sacks and also blocked two kicks.
Ferdilus anchored an offensive line that was among the nation's best. Brockport averaged nearly 500 yards of total offense a game, with 228 yards per game rushing. He helped pave the way for 69 touchdowns, and allowed only 11 sacks all season long.
Baker had a stellar senior season that saw him set the single-season program record with 20 pass breakups. He also had seven interceptions, including four in an E8 title-clinching victory over SUNY Cortland, which also set a Brockport program record for interceptions in a game. The senior also picked up 21 tackles and a tackle for loss.
Arita led the Golden Eagles with eight interceptions on the year, and got his hand on 10 pass breakups, while also scooping up two fumble recoveries. He added 25 tackles, 15 of which were solo.
ALL-AMERICAN ACCOLADES
Associated Press - 1st Team
Caleb Ferdilus, OL
Associated Press - 2nd Team
Matt Arita, DB
Rashad Baker, DB
Austin Dean, DL
D3Football.com - 1st Team
Austin Dean, DT
D3Football.com - 2nd Team
Caleb Ferdiuls, T
D3Football.com - Honorable Mention
Rashad Baker, CB
- Additional information for this release provided by the athletic communications staff at Brockport -
About the Empire 8 Conference
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and aspire to be regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership seeks to distinguish itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8.