NEW ORLEANS - Senior linebacker John Law was named the Sun Belt's Preseason Defensive Player of the Year on Friday, which highlighted the six Appalachian State University football student-athletes that received preseason all-Sun Belt recognition, the league office announced.
Representing the Mountaineers on the first team were App State quarterback Taylor Lamb and offensive lineman Parker Collins on offense while Eric Boggs and Law were selected to the preseason all-first team. Marcus Cox and Colby Gossett made the all-second team list.
It's the second-straight season that Law and Cox were named preseason all-Sun Belt while Lamb, Gossett, Collins and Boggs are first-time recepients.
Law was selected as the Preseason DPOY after having an impressive 2015 campaign where he was a first-team all-Sun Belt honoree, finishing second on the team in tackles (72), tackles for loss (9.5), and sacks (4.0). The ball-hawking linebacker tied for 25th in the league with 6.0 tackles per game and also ranked among the leaders in sacks (ninth) and tackles for loss (12th). Law was just one of four student-athletes to rank in the top 15 in both sacks and tackles for loss and top 25 in tackles. Entering his senior year, Law is tied for 20th among all active NCAA Division I FBS student-athletes with an impressive 236 total career tackles.
After having a 2015 season that was one of the best campaigns seen at quarterback in App State history, Lamb was the lone signal caller from the conference to be named to the Davey O'Brien Watch List as one of the top quarterbacks in the nation. His 31 touchdown passes set a single-season school record, passing the previous record of 30 set by Appalachian and SoCon Hall of Famer Armanti Edwards in 2008. The two-year starter threw for 2,387 yards, which was good for 10th in school history. Lamb's 160.7 passing efficiency was 10th in the nation, and he also ranked ninth in touchdown tosses. His passing yardage was the third highest in the league and his 2,823 yards of total offense ranked fourth in the conference, leading him to a spot on the Sun Belt Honorable-Mention list.
Collins, who was named to the Outland Trophy Watch List for the best linemen in the nation, is coming off an impressive 2015 campaign where he led the team with 105 knockdowns while allowing just one sack and committing only two loafs in 680 snaps. The big-time blocker recorded a 73-percent technique grade and a 78-percent job performance grade, which was third on the squad. Collins helped an Appalachian offense ranked sixth in rushing and one of the most efficient offenses in the nation. Collins anchored an offensive line that allowed just 11 sacks all season, tied for the fourth-fewest in the country.
Along with Law, Boggs was one of the leaders on the defense, leading the team and ranking fifth in the conference with 104 total tackles. Boggs notched four sacks for the fourth most on the team while picking off three passes. The linebacker was the only student-athletes in the conference to be named Sun Belt's Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week twice in 2015. In his career, Boggs has shown to be a stable linebacker where he's played in all 25 games in his career with 19 starts. His 2015 campaign led him to a second-team all-Sun Belt award.
A stud at running back, Cox had another historical season and will stamp his name in the record books once it's all said and done. Cox rushed for a personal-best 1,423 yards on the ground while ranking 13th in the nation at 118.6 ypg. The App State tailback 17th in rushing yards and 20th in all-purpose yards per game (131.92). Cox was one of the top backs in the Sun Belt, as he ranked third in rushing yards and rushing yards per game He's just 717 yards away the all-time rushing record of 4,804 rushing yards, held by Kevin Richardson (2004-07), and Cox needs just one more game of 100 yards to break his tie with John Settle (1983-86) for the most all-time at 23. Cox was named second-team all-Sun Belt last season for his performance in 12 games.
One of the top linemen in the nation, Gossett led the team with 744 snaps with the second-highest number of knockdown at 72. Gossett didn't allow a sack all season with just one loaf and four penalties allowed. He was second on the team with a 78-percent technique grade and one of two student-athletes on the offensive line with at least an 80-percent job grade.
Fans can still enjoy the perks that come with being a Yosef Club member by joining for the 2016 membership year, which runs through Dec. 31, 2016. Yosef Club membership comes with access to exclusive seating and parking for Appalachian State football (at certain membership levels). Additionally, Yosef Club members at the $100 annual and above will be eligible to participate in July's single-game tickets pre-sale.
To join the Yosef Club today, visit appstatesports.com or call the Yosef Club office at (828) 262-3108.
