PITMAN—Salisbury University sophomore quarterback Jack Lanham and Wesley College senior wide receiver Ruhann Peele have been selected as NJAC Football Co-Offensive Players of the Year for the 2019 season. In total, 85 student-athletes garnered NJAC all-conference recognition in the sport of football in 2019. All selections were made by a vote of the league’s eight head coaches.
A two-time NJAC Offensive Player of the Week selection this season, Lanham currently leads the NJAC in pass efficiency (193.2), yards per attempt (12.1) and yards per completion (21.6). He also currently ranks third in the league in rushing (67.3 yards per game), fourth in total offense (177.7 yards per game), and fifth in scoring (5.3 points per game).
A two-time NJAC first-team all-conference selection, Peele currently leads the NJAC in receptions (8.1 per game), receiving yards (114.1 per game), receiving touchdowns (12), and points scored (9.2 per game). A three-time NJAC Offensive Player of the Week honoree this year, he also currently ranks second in the conference in all-purpose yards (116.6 per game).
Kean University junior linebacker Dante Capozzoli and Christopher Newport University senior defensive lineman Ben James were selected as the Sam Mills Co-Defensive Players of the Year.
A two-time first-team NJAC all-conference honoree, Capozzoli currently ranks second in the NJAC in tackles (8.7 per game), and 20th in sacks (2.5). A Week 9 NJAC Defensive Player of the Week selection, he also currently ranks tied for fourth in the league in forced fumbles (2).
A two-time first-team NJAC all-conference selection, James currently leads the NJAC in tackles for loss (14.5), while also ranking tied for third in sacks (5.5). He also currently ranks tied for 11th in total tackles (5.9 per game).
The College of New Jersey’s senior punter Zach Warcola was selected as the NJAC Special Teams Player of the Year. A four-time NJAC first-team all-conference honoree, he currently leads the NJAC in punting average (43.9). Warcola also currently leads the conference in both total punts (56) and total yards punted (2,457).
William Paterson University freshman running back Terrique Riddick was named the NJAC Offensive Rookie of the Year. The only freshman named first-team all-conference, Riddick currently ranks second in the league in rushing (75.4 yards per game). A three-time NJAC Offensive Rookie of the Week selection this season, he also currently ranks second in total rushing yards (754), and third in total carries (145).
William Paterson freshman cornerback Devyn Blount was selected as the NJAC Defensive Rookie of the Year. One of just three freshmen selected to the all-conference team, Blount currently leads the NJAC in total passes defensed (11). A three-time NJAC Defensive Player of the Week selection, he also currently ranks tied for third in the NJAC in interceptions (4).
Salisbury University head coach Sherman Wood was selected as the NJAC Coach of the Year by his peers for the second time in the past five seasons. So far in 2019, Wood has guided the Sea Gulls to a 9-0 overall record and the outright NJAC championship with a perfect 7-0 mark in league play. Now in his 21st season at the helm of the Salisbury program, Wood has guided the Sea Gulls to an overall record of 154-70.