NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State University linebacker Lynden Trail was named the 2012 Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) University Division Football Defensive Rookie of the Year, the organization announced.
The University Division honors players from all the Division I FBS and FCS schools in the state of Virginia. Trail was also named to the all-state second team at linebacker. Sophomore defensive tackle George Riddick was voted to the first team, while senior center Michael Kay joined Trail on the second team.
Despite starting just three games in his debut season at NSU after transferring from the University of Florida, Trail emerged as a force for the Spartan defense. Trail led NSU with 70 total tackles, including 17 for lost yardage, to earn first-team All-MEAC accolades. He also tied for the team-lead with six sacks and added four pass breakups, eight quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. Trail was also named to the Roanoke Times' all-state team and earned honorable mention FCS All-America honors from the Beyond Sports Network.
Riddick made 40 tackles, nine for loss, to go with 5.5 sacks, leading the Spartans' regular defensive linemen in all three categories. His sack total placed him third on the team behind Trail and Terrence Pugh, who tied for the team-lead with 6.0. Riddick also recovered a fumble, forced a fumble and deflected one pass.
Trail and Riddick helped lead an NSU defense which finished the season ranked second in the MEAC and third nationally in total defense.
Kay started all 23 games for NSU the last two seasons at center. He did not allow a sack during his senior year in 2012 and led the team in “pancake” blocks. The Spartans finished the year third in the MEAC in passing offense and fourth in fewest sacks allowed.
ODU quarterback Taylor Heinicke was named the VaSID Offensive Player of the Year, and Virginia linebacker Steve Greer took top defensive honors. Liberty quarterback Josh Woodrum was voted VaSID Offensive Rookie of the Year, and ODU coach Bobby Wilder was selected Coach of the Year.
Major Award Winners
VaSID Offensive Player of the Year – Taylor Heinicke, So., QB, Old Dominion
VaSID Defensive Player of the Year – Steve Greer, Sr., LB, Virginia
VaSID Offensive Rookie of the Year – Josh Woodrum, Fr., QB, Liberty
VaSID Defensive Rookie of the Year – Lynden Trail, So., LB, Norfolk State
VaSID Coach of the Year – Bobby Wilder, Old Dominion
First Team
Offense
QB – Taylor Heinicke, So., Old Dominion
RB – Aldreakis Allen, Jr., Liberty
RB – Jeremiah Schwartz, Sr., Hampton
WR – Nick Mayers, Sr., Old Dominion
WR – Ben Edwards, Jr., Richmond
TE – Jake McGee, So, Virginia
OL – Oday Aboushi, Sr., Virginia
OL – Nick Becton, Sr., Virginia Tech
OL – Aaron Lundy, Sr., Liberty
OL – Morgan Moses, Jr., Virginia
OL – Earl Watford, Sr., James Madison
Defense
DL – Chris Burnette, Sr., Old Dominion
DL – James Gayle, Jr., Virginia Tech
DL – Derrick Hopkins, Jr., Virginia Tech
DL – George Riddick, So., Norfolk State
LB – Steve Greer, Sr., Virginia
LB – Stephon Robertson, Jr., James Madison
LB – Jack Tyler, Jr., Virginia Tech
CB – Antone Exum, Jr., Virginia Tech
CB – Demetrious Nicholson, So., Virginia
S – Cooper Taylor, Sr., Richmond
S – Brent Vinson, Sr., Liberty
Special Teams
PK – Jarod Brown, Jr., Old Dominion
P – Jonathan Plisco, Sr., Old Dominion
RET – Khalek Shepherd, So., Virginia
Second Team
Offense
QB – Logan Thomas, Jr., Virginia Tech
RB – Dae-Quan Scott, Jr., James Madison
RB – Kendall Gaskins, Sr., Richmond
WR – Pat Kelly, Sr., Liberty
WR – Tre McBride II, So., William & Mary
TE – Brian Barlow, Sr., James Madison
OL – David Born, Jr., Old Dominion
OL – Michael Kay, Sr., Norfolk State
OL – Vinston Painter, Sr., Virginia Tech
OL – Nick Ritcher, So., Richmond
OL – Mike Salazar, Sr., William & Mary
Defense
DL – Cory Freeman, Jr., Liberty
DL – Charlie Jones, Sr., VMI
DL – Tyler Snow, Jr., James Madison
DL – Kerry Wynn, Jr., Richmond
LB – Nick Sigmon, So., Liberty
LB – Lynden Trail, So., Norfolk State
LB – Craig Wilkins, Sr., Old Dominion
CB – Darryl Hamilton, Sr., Richmond
CB – B.W. Webb, Sr., William & Mary
S – Anthony Harris, So., Virginia
S – Dean Marlowe, So., James Madison
Special Teams
PK – Cody Journell, Jr., Virginia Tech
P – A.J. Hughes, Fr., Virginia Tech
RET – Ryan Smith, Sr., James Madison
