Four SAC Football Players Named to D2Football.com All-America Teams

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Four South Atlantic Conference football student-athletes have been selected as D2Football.com All-Americans, the media outlet announced on Monday (Dec. 31).

Mars Hill's Craig Rucker, Wingate's Cardell Rawlings and Limestone's Joshua Simmons were all named to the first team, while Newberry's Jamarcus Henderson as an honorable mention selection.

Rucker, a junior, earns his third All-America honor after finishing 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.

This is Rawlings' fourth All-America honor this season. The senior 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 senior, adds a second All-America honor this season with this award. A D2CCA All-Super Region 2 selection and a All-SAC second team pick, Simmons 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.

Henderson, a senior All-Super Region 2 selection, finished the 2018 season with 10.5 sacks, 20.5 tackles for loss, 79 tackles, 18 quarterback hurries, and a forced fumble from his defensive end spot. He is third in Division II in tackles for loss, ninth in sacks, and was seventh in the SAC in total tackles.

For the full list of 2018 D2Football.com All-Americans visit www.d2football.com.

-#MakeSACYours-