Indiana University Athletics
Meyers Recognized Nationally (12-09-03)
12/9/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Bloomington, Ind. - Indiana safety Will Meyers was selected as a First Team Freshman All-American by The Sporting News, the magazine announced today.
Meyers, who was honored as the Big Ten Defensive Freshman of the Year by The Sporting News last week, ranked third on the team with 83 tackles (65 solo). His two sacks were good for third on the team as well. Meyers forced four fumbles on the year and finished with 3.5 tackles for loss.
"I would have never thought they would have chosen me for something like this," Meyers said. "This is a great honor. Our defensive scheme was one that really put me in positions to be involved in the action, and even though I'd much rather be going to a bowl game with this team, it is nice to be recognized like this. Hopefully this helps as a springboard as we work in the offseason."
Meyers exploded onto the scene in his second game at the collegiate level, registering 13 tackles, forcing a fumble and recovering a fumble at Washington on September 6. From there, he went on to force at least one fumble in each of the team's next three games.
The Chesterfield, Mo., product notched nine tackles against both Minnesota and Illinois, then put a cap on his productive freshman campaign by recording eight tackles with one sack for 13 yards against rival Purdue in the season finale.
The Sporting News Freshman All-American Teams
*denotes redshirt; otherwise a true
First team
Offense
WR Charles Gordon, 5-11, 165, Kansas*
WR Steve Odom, 5-10, 175, Toledo*
TE Daniel Coats, 6-3, 240, BYU*
OL (T) Daniel Inman, 6-7, 315, Georgia*
OL (T) Mike Otto, 6-5, 295, Purdue*
OL (T) Justin Blalock, 6-4, 340, Texas*
OL (G) Leroy Harris, 6-3, 285, N.C. State*
OL (C) Trevor Rees, 6-2, 275, Northwestern
QB Chris Leak, 6-1, 205, Florida
RB Jerry Seymour, 5-8, 190, Central Michigan
RB Lynell Hamilton, 6-1, 215, San Diego State
Defense
E Mario Williams, 6-7, 254, N.C. State
E Brian Smith, 6-4, 210, Missouri*
T Ray McDonald, 6-3, 252, Florida*
T Lamar Mills, 6-1, 275, Kentucky*
LB Channing Crowder, 6-2, 236, Florida
LB Ahmad Brooks, 6-4, 249, Virginia
LB Paul Tithof, 6-1, 202, Western Michigan*
CB Brandon Browner, 6-4, 194, Oregon State*
CB Quinton Culberson, 6-0, 210, Mississippi State
S Darnell Bing, 6-2, 220, USC
S Will Meyers, 6-0, 190, Indiana
Special teams
K Jon Peattie, 6-3, 200, Miami (Fla.)*
P Brandon Fields, 6-5, 219, Michigan State*
KR Ryne Robinson, 5-10, 169, Miami (Ohio)
