2011 SBN BCAA Team

NORFOLK, Va. — Four Norfolk State University football standouts have been voted onto the 2011 Sheridan Broadcast Network Black College All-America Team, released on Wednesday by American Urban Radio Networks and the Black College Football Hall of Fame.

Linebacker Corwin Hammond, offensive linemen Blake Matthews and Kendall Noble and placekicker Ryan Estep were selected to the team, which honors players from Division I and Division II historically black colleges and universities. NSU matched Jackson State of the SWAC and Winston-Salem State of the Division II CIAA with the most players on the team, with four apiece. The four SBN selections are also the most in Spartan football history.

Hammond spearheaded a defense that ranked second in the nation in total defense (275.8 yards per game allowed) and fourth in scoring defense (17.1 points per game allowed). Hammond, an All-MEAC first team pick, led the Spartans with 120 total tackles and 14 tackles for lost yardage. He also recorded 2.5 sacks, two pass breakups and two fumble recoveries.

Matthews and Noble were vital cogs in an offensive line that allowed just 15 sacks in 12 games, the second-fewest in the conference. NSU also finished second in the MEAC in total offense, averaging 393.8 yards per game. Both players were All-MEAC first team selections, with Matthews winning NSU's first-ever MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Year award and earning second-team FCS All-America honors by The Sports Network.

Estep was an All-MEAC first team selection and an AP All-America second team pick this season after connecting on 20-of-22 field goals and all 34 of his extra point tries. The 20 field goals represent a single-season school record. His 90.9 field goal percentage was second-best in the nation for kickers who made at least one field goal per game. Estep also ranked fifth in the nation in field goals per game (1.67) and led the MEAC in scoring, at 7.8 points per game.

The Spartan quartet and rest of the award-winners will be honored at the 38th Annual BCAA Awards Reception and during the Black College Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony, Feb. 17-18 in Atlanta, Ga. Winston-Salem State, which advanced to the Division II playoff semifinals, was recognized as this year's black college football champion by SBN. WSSU head coach Connell Maynor was selected as Coach of the Year. Jackson State quarterback Casey Therriault and Grambling State linebacker Cliff Exama were named the offensive and defensive players of the year, respectively.