2009 SBN Black College All-American Team
BALTIMORE, Md. – Morgan State linebacker George Howard and defensive lineman Justin Lawrence headline the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference honorees on the 2009 Sheridan Broadcasting Network Sports Black College All-American football team.
The duo will recognized during the 36th Annual SBN Black College All-American Awards (BCAA) weekend February 12-14, 2010 at the DoubleTree Resort-Orlando, in Orlando, Florida. NFL Hall of Fame nominee Chris Carter will deliver the keynote address.
This marks the third time in the last three seasons that MSU has had a player voted to the SBN team. MSU linebacker Jarrell Guyton was selected in 2008 and running back (Indianapolis Colt) Chad Simpson was selected in 2007.
Howard, the MEAC Player of the Year, was also named to the Sports Network (FCS) All-American team. “The Hitman” completed his career by leading the MEAC in tackles with 130 (11.8 avg/g) including 73 solo and 57 assisted. He finished the season ranked fourth in the FCS in tackles per game.
Joining Howard on the defensive team was his teammate defensive linemen Justin Lawrence. Lawrence completed his collegiate career as a two-time All-MEAC First Team selection. He was a dangerous pass rusher who finished the 2009 season with 53 tackles (30 solo) and 8.5 tackles for loss with four quarterback hurries and a sack. Lawrence recorded a season-high 10 tackles with three tackles for loss to help the Bears outlast N.C. A&T.
The Black College All-American Awards (BCAA) weekend recognizes and celebrates the academic and athletic achievements of student athletes who play football at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Honorees include the 25-member SBN Sports Black College All-American Team, The SBN Sports 2009 Jake Gaither National Championship team, the SBN Sports/Doug Williams Offensive Player of the Year, the SBN Sports/Mel Blount Defensive Player of the Year and the SBN Sports/Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year.
The event will be hosted by SBN Director of Sports, Ty Miller. Other featured speakers, presenters and special invited guests include NFL Hall of Famer Mel Blount, NFL Hall of Famer Larry Little, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Raheem Morris, Arizona Cardinals defensive back Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Houston Texans wide receiver Jacoby Jones, former Denver Broncos wide receiver Rick Upchurch, former Houston Oilers kick-return specialist Billy 'White Shoes” Johnson and former Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Eddie Robinson Jr.