2017 #RMACfb All-RMAC Announced
All-RMAC Full Release
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Colorado Mesa’s Eystin Salum, Blake Nelson, and Virnel Moon were named the 2017 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Football Offensive, Defensive, and Special Teams Players of the Year, respectively. The major awards were announced on Tuesday, along with All-RMAC Teams.
In addition to Salum, Nelson, and Moon, Brandon LaBrie of South Dakota Mines took home Offensive Freshman of the Year and Terrence Jackson, Jr. of New Mexico Highlands earned Defensive Freshman of the Year. CSU-Pueblo head coach John Wristen was named Coach of the Year.
The major awards, along with All-RMAC First and Second Teams were voted on by the conference’s 11 head football coaches, who could not vote for their own players. Those that received one First Team vote or two Second Team votes were named Honorable Mention.
Salum, Offensive Player of the Year, received three RMAC Offensive Player of the Week awards in 2017. The junior quarterback leads the RMAC and is 17
th nationally in pass efficiency. He is second in total offense in the conference, leading the Mavericks to a 9-1 RMAC record.
Nelson, Defensive Player of the Year, is tied for first in the RMAC in total sacks with eight and ranked second in tackles for a loss. He was named to the preseason All-RMAC team and RMAC Defensive Player of the Week once this season. The senior defensive back was named First Team All-RMAC in 2016 and Honorable Mention in 2015.
Virnel Moon, Special Teams Player of the Year, leads the nation in kickoff return touchdowns with three. He is first in the RMAC in kickoff return average, racking up 808 yards this season. The senior was named RMAC Honorable Mention in 2015.
RMAC Offensive Freshman of the Year, Brandon LaBrie, had a stellar performance in his first year as a Hardrocker. LaBrie, listed as a running back on the roster, ended up a dual threat for South Dakota Mines, recording 789 yards receiving this season and six scores. He added 85 yards and two scores on the ground, winning RMAC Offensive Player of the Week honors once this season.
Terrence Jackson, Jr. of New Mexico Highlands earned Defensive Freshman of the Year honors. The freshman is ranked fifth in the conference in passes defended, notching two interceptions this season.
John Wristen of CSU-Pueblo took home his sixth RMAC Coach of the Year award in his 10th season with the ThunderWolves. He has led his team to six RMAC titles in seven years. This season, CSU-Pueblo finished 9-2 overall (9-1 in the RMAC), were named RMAC Co-Champions and will take trip to the NCAA Division II Football Playoffs. His overall record is among the best in the division.
The No. 20 ThunderWolves will take on top-ranked Minnesota State University in Mankato, Minnesota on November 18 in the First Round of the NCAA Playoffs.
Major Award Winners
Offensive Player of the Year: Eystin Salum, Colorado Mesa
Defensive Player of the Year: Blake Nelson, Colorado Mesa
Special Teams Player of the Year: Virnel Moon, Colorado Mesa
Offensive Freshman of the Year: Brandon LaBrie, South Dakota Mines
Defensive Freshman of the Year: Terrence Jackson, Jr.
COTY: John Wristen, CSU-Pueblo