Birmingham, AL (Sports Network) - Jackson State wide receiver Rico Richardson and Arkansas-Pine Bluff defensive end Brandon Thurmond were named the Southwestern Athletic Conference's offensive and defensive players of the year, respectively, on Tuesday.
Alabama State running back Isaiah Crowell was named the newcomer of the year and Prairie View A&M kick return specialist Johnta Hebert the freshman of the year.
Richardson, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound senior, has totaled 56 receptions, 10 touchdown receptions and 1,081 receiving yards to lead the SWAC in each category.
Thurmond, a 6-2, 260-pound senior, has recorded 63 tackles, an FCS-high 15.5 sacks and 20 tackles for loss. He also has seven quarterback hurries, three fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one blocked kick.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff had seven first-team selections to lead the All-SWAC. The Golden Lions will play in the SWAC championship game against Jackson State on Saturday.
The coach from the winning team - either Jackson State's Rick Comegy or Arkansas-Pine Bluff's Monte Coleman - will receive the coach of the year honor.
All-SWAC Football First Team
Offense
QB - Ben Anderson, So., Arkansas-Pine Bluff
RB - Kaderius Lacey, Sr., Alabama A&M
RB - Isaiah Crowell, So., Alabama State
WR - Rico Richardson, Sr., Jackson State
WR - Lee Doss, Jr., Southern
TE - Dezmond Beverly, Jr., Arkansas-Pine Bluff
OL - Terren Jones, Sr., Alabama State
OL - Zion Pyatt, Sr., Jackson State
OL - Stephen Capler, Sr., Jackson State
OL - Christopher Wilson, Sr., Arkansas-Pine Bluff
OL - Jamal Johnson-Webb, Sr., Alabama A&M
Defense
DL - Joseph LeBeau, Sr., Jackson State
DL - Brandon Thurmond, Sr., Arkansas-Pine Bluff
DL - Robert Simpson, Jr., Mississippi Valley
DL - Jimmy Daniels, Sr., Alabama State
LB - Brandon Roberts, Sr., Alabama State
LB - Keven Woods, Sr., Mississippi Valley
LB - Bill Ross, Sr., Arkansas-Pine Bluff
DB - Kejuan Riley, Sr., Alabama State
DB - Qua Cox, Jr., Jackson State
DB - Vernon Marshall, Sr., Alabama A&M
DB - Ryan Shaw, Jr., Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Special Teams
PK - Tyler Strickland, So., Arkansas-Pine Bluff
P - Bobby Wenzig, Jr., Alabama State
KR - Spencer Nelson, Sr., Prairie View A&M
