NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State football standouts J.J. Davis, Justin Redd, De'Shaan Dixon and Brandon Savage were named Tuesday to the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) All-State Team, the organization announced.

Davis, a freshman running back, and Redd, a junior offensive lineman, were voted to the all-state first team. Dixon, a senior defensive end, and Savage, a junior cornerback, were named to the second team.

Redd started all 11 games at right guard for NSU and helped the Spartans set Division I school records for scoring offense (33.2 points per game), total offense (440.5 ypg) and rushing offense (212.2 ypg). NSU led the league in all three categories. Redd led the team in snaps played, knockdown blocks and grade percentage.

Earlier this awards season, Redd was named the MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Year, a second-team FCS All-American by The Associated Press and a fourth-team All-American by Phil Steele.

Davis led the MEAC in rushing with 887 yards, most by a Spartan back since Rolandan Finch's 1,113 in 2013, to win NSU's first-ever MEAC Rookie of the Year honor. Davis was a five-time MEAC Rookie of the Week winner who was second in the conference with 11 total touchdowns, 10 rushing and one receiving. Davis's 1,288 all-purpose yards also led the conference and his 7.2 yards per carry average led all FCS players. He topped the 100-yard rushing mark four times, with a high of 217 at N.C. Central.

Dixon made 54 tackles and recorded MEAC-high totals of 12.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks. He added four quarterback hurries and four pass breakups. Dixon was invited to play in the 2022 East-West Shrine Game and the 2022 HBCU Legacy Bowl.

Savage tied for second among conference players with three interceptions. He also broke up seven other passes, helping him rank second in the league with 10 passes defended. Savage made 35 total tackles.

2021 VaSID University Division All-State Football Team
VaSID Offensive Player of the Year – Brennan Armstrong, Virginia
VaSID Defensive Player of the Year – Nate Lynn, William & Mary
VaSID Special Teams Player of the Year – Ethan Ratke, James Madison
VaSID Coach of the Year – Curt Cignetti, James Madison
VaSID Offensive Rookie of the Year – Antwane Wells Jr., James Madison
 
First Team Offense
QB – Brennan Armstrong, Virginia
RB – J.J. Davis, Norfolk State
RB – Blake Watson, Old Dominion
WR – Kris Thornton, James Madison
WR – Antwane Wells Jr. – James Madison
WR – Dontayvion Wicks, Virginia
TE – Jelani Woods, Virginia
OL – Liam Fornadel, James Madison
OL – Chris Glaser, Virginia
OL – Nick Kidwell, James Madison
OL – Olusegun Oluwatimi, Virginia
OL – Justin Redd, Norfolk State
 
First Team Defense
DL – Bryce Carter, James Madison
DL – Mike Greene, James Madison
DL – Nate Lynn, William & Mary
DL – Darius Reynolds, Richmond
LB – Nick Jackson, Virginia
LB – Storey Jackson, Liberty
LB – Stone Snyder, VMI
CB – Anthony Jackson, Virginia
CB – Greg Ross, James Madison
S – Joey Blount, Virginia
S – Gage Herman, William & Mary
 
First Team Special Teams
PK – Ethan Ratke, James Madison
P – Jacob Finn, Virginia
RS – LaMareon James, Old Dominion
 
Second Team Offense
QB – Cole Johnson, James Madison
RB – Latrele Palmer, James Madison
RB – Bronson Yoder, William & Mary
WR – CJ Daniels, Liberty
WR – Demario Douglas, Liberty
WR – Ali Jennings, Old Dominion
WR – Billy Kemp, Virginia
WR – Keytaon Thompson, Virginia
TE – Zack Kuntz, Old Dominion
OL – Nick Hartnett, VMI
OL – Bobby Haskins, Virginia
OL – Clayton McConnell, Richmond
OL – Thomas Sargeant, Liberty
OL – Andrew Trainer, William & Mary

Second Team Defense
DL – De'Shaan Dixon, Norfolk State
DL – Will Kiely, William & Mary
DL – Kobie Turner, Richmond
DL – Isaac Ukwu, James Madison
LB – Kelvin Azanama, James Madison
LB – Tyler Dressley, Richmond
LB – Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey, James Madison
LB – Tristan Wheeler, Richmond
CB – Nick Grant, Virginia
CB – Ryan Poole, William & Mary
CB – Brandon Savage, Norfolk State
S – Chris Chukwuneke, James Madison
S – Javon Scruggs, Liberty
 
Second Team Special Teams
PK – Jack Culbreath, VMI
P – Jerry Rice, VMI
RS – Aaron Dykes, Richmond