Three SAC Football Players Earn AFCA All-American Honors

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Three South Atlantic Conference football players have been named to the American Football Coaches' Association (AFCA) Division II All-American Teams.

Mars Hill wide receiver Craig Rucker and Limestone defensive back Joshua Simmons earned first team honors, while Wingate defensive end Cardell Rawlings was named to the second team.

Rucker, a junior from Orlando, Fla., finished the season ranked first in the conference in touchdowns (16), receiving yards (1,234), all-purpose yards (1,549), receiving yards per game (123.4) and receptions (82). He is ranked in the top five in NCAA Division II in receiving yards per game (No. 1), receiving yards (No. 4), receptions per game (No. 5) and receiving touchdowns (No. 5). For his efforts, Rucker was awarded SAC AstroTurf Football Offensive Player of the Week honors twice during the 2018 season and was named the 2018 SAC Offensive Player of the Year.

Rawlings was a force on the defensive line this season. The senior from Smithfield, N.C., racked up 75 total tackles, including 20 tackles for loss and a conference leading 14.5 sacks. He forced three fumbles, had two fumble recoveries and broke up two passes during the year as well. Rawlings is ranked third in NCAA Division II in sacks per game, averaging 1.32 per contest. He is also ranked No. 6 in tackles for loss per game, with an average of 1.80 per game.  He was named SAC AstroTurf Defensive Player of the Week, was the 2018 SAC Defensive Player of the Year and was named D2CCA Defensive Player of the Year for Super Region 2 for his efforts this season.

Simmons a D2CCA All-Super Region 2 selection and a All-SAC second team pick, led the SAC with 67 solo tackles and was fifth in the league with 93 total tackles.  He also had two interceptions, two forced fumbles and eight pass breakups during the 2018 season.

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