PITMAN—Wesley College sophomore running back E.J. Lee and Kean University senior linebacker Darin Hungerford have been selected as the NJAC Offensive and Sam Mills Defensive Football Players of the Year respectively for the 2017 season. In total, 92 student-athletes garnered NJAC all-conference recognition in the sport of football in 2017. All selections were made by a vote of the league’s 10 head coaches.
A two-time NJAC Offensive Player of the Week selection in 2017, Lee currently leads the NJAC in rushing (138.4 yards per game), scoring (12.6 points per game), and all-purpose yards (156.4). One season after being named the 2016 NJAC Co-Offensive Rookie of the Year, he currently possesses league-high totals in carries (225), touchdowns (21) and rushing yards (1,384). Lee has carried the ball 44 more times than his nearest conference competitor and he currently stands as the league-leader in rushing by 644 yards over his nearest NJAC rival.
A two-time first team NJAC all-conference honoree, Hungerford currently leads the NJAC in both tackles per game (12.4) and total tackles (124). A two-time NJAC Defensive Player of the Week selection in 2017, Hungerford also currently ranks third in tackles for a loss (17.0) and fifth in sacks (7.0).
Montclair State University junior kicker/punter Hunter Daly was selected as the NJAC Special Teams Player of the Year. A four-time NJAC Special Teams Player of the Week honoree in 2017, Daly currently is tied for the league-lead in field goals made per game (1.10), total field goals (11) and PAT percentage (1.000; 14-for-14). Daly also has registered a league-high 65 punts on the season and currently ranks third in the NJAC in punting average (38.1).
Christopher Newport University freshman wide receiver Cole Blais was selected as the NJAC Offensive Rookie of the Year. A two-time NJAC Rookie of the Week selection, Blais currently leads the conference in both receptions per game (5.4) and total receptions (54). Blais also currently ranks fifth in receiving yards per game (62.6).
Wesley College freshman defensive lineman Stefon Woodruff was the recipient of the league’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award. A four-time NJAC Defensive Rookie of the Week selection in 2017, Woodruff currently leads the NJAC in total sacks (11). The only freshman named to either the first or second-team all-conference squads, Woodruff also currently ranks second in tackles for a loss (18.0).
Wesley head coach Mike Drass was selected as the NJAC Coach of the Year by his peers. So far in 2017, Drass has guided the Wolverines to a 9-1 overall record and the NJAC championship with a perfect 9-0 mark in league play, making Wesley the first team to claim the NJAC title outright since 2012. Now in his 25th season at the helm of the Wesley program, Drass has guided the Wolverines to an overall record of 228-60-1.