Hall Named To STATS FCS Defensive Watch List
11/19/2015 12:59:00 AM | Football
Defensive end P. J. Hall of Sam Houston is one of five players whose names have been added to the “Watch List” for the STATS FCS Defensive Player of the Year award.
Voting for the defensive player of the year honor will take place next week after the final regular season weekend of play with the top three vote-getters from 25 finalists being invited to the STATS FCS Awards Banquet on Jan. 8 in Frisco, Texas.
Hall, who as a third place finisher in last year's STATS FCS “Freshman of the Year” was the top defensive player in the voting, is the leading tackler for the Bearkats' 7-3 squad that is looking to clinch its fifth consecutive NCAA playoff berth in a contest Saturday with Central Arkansas in Conway.
The sophomore from Seguin leads the Bearkats with 45 stops including 30 solo tackles. He also is the team leader in tackles for losses (12 for 54 yards) and sacks (seven). He has intercepted pass, forced and recovered a fumble, blocked a kick and broken up two passes. A year ago, he blocked an FCS high five kicks.
In only his second year of action, Hall already ranks second in both Sam Houston career tackles for losses (42) and sacks (19).
The other four newcomers to the STAT FCS Defensive Player of the Year “Watch List” for Tyler Drake (linebacker from Penn), Stephen Hodge (linebacker from Fordham), John Hugunin (linebacker from Drake) and Christian Kuntz (linebacker from Duquesne).
Other players on the STATS FCS Defensive Player of the Year Watch List are defensive ends James Cowser of Southern Utah, Keionta Davis of Chattanooga, Tyrone Holmes of Montana, Victor Ochi of Stony Brook, Derek Rivers of Youngstown State, Noah Spence of Eastern Kentucky and Chima Uzowihe of Liberty; defensive tackles Javon Hargrave of South Carolina State and O.J. Mau of Gardner-Webb; linebackers Kourtney Berry of Alabama State, Don Cherry of Villanova, Deon King of Norfolk State, Darnell Sankey of Sacramento State and Myke Tavarres of Incarnate Word; cornerbacks DeVonta "Dee" Delaney of The Citadel, Deiondre' Hall of Northern Iowa, Jermaine Hough of Jacksonville State and Harlan Miller of Southeastern Louisiana; and safeties DeAndre Houston-Carson and William & Mary and Patrick Onwuasor of Portland State.
A national panel of more than 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will select the award winner.
Saturday's game at Central Arkansas kicks off at 6 p.m. The contest will be telecast live on ESPN3.
