University of Massachusets Athletics
Minutemen Earn Nods from Phil Steele
December 18, 2015 | Football
AMHERST, Mass. – Receiver Tajae Sharpe collected All-America honors and six members of the University of Massachusetts football team earned all-conference honors from Phil Steele, it was announced on Friday.
Tajae Sharpe earned fourth-team All-America and first-team all-conference honors. A two-time first-team All-MAC selection, he wrapped his career as Massachusetts’ all-time leader in single-game receptions (15), single-season receptions (111), career receptions (277) and career receiving yards (3,486) – all set during the 2015 season.
Linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox also earned first-team all-conference accolades. He totaled 131 tackles in 12 games to rank No. 3 in the MAC and No. 5 among FBS players. He averaged 10.9 tackles per game to rank No. 3 in the MAC and No. 7 among FBS players. His 87 assisted tackles lead the FBS and MAC and are the No. 7 single-season output in UMass history.
As a punt return specialist, Dudley-Giles recorded 13 returns for 113 yards and an average of 8.7 yards per game. He was named Phil Steele Second-Team All-Conference.
Rising sophomore running back Marquis Young, named third-team all-conference, concluded his freshman season with 960 yards on 152 carries, good for a 6.3 yards per carry average. He recorded the most rushing yards for a true freshman running back at UMass since Steve Baylark’s 1,177 yards on 268 carries (4.4 per run) in 2003.
Rising sophomore defensive back James Oliphant earned third-team all-conference honors as a kick return specialist. He returned 34 kicks for 785 yards. He ranked fourth overall in the MAC with 23.1 yards per return.
Tight end Rodney Mills was named third-team all-conference. He hauled in 33 catches for 477 yards and three scores as the squad’s No. 2 receiver in 2015.
Linebacker Trey Seals, also earning third-team all-conference honors, played in 10 games with seven starts and totaled 36 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss.
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