BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Campbell’s Jack Ryan has been named the
2015 Pioneer Football League Freshman Defensive Player of the Year, in a vote
of the conference’s coaches.
The Matthews, N.C. native totaled 66 tackles, including 11.0stops for loss in his first collegiate season, adding 2.0 sacks and two
interceptions.
Ryan led all PFL freshmen with 47 tackles (5.9 per game) in
league play. He also ranked 12th overall in the league and tops among freshmen
with 8.5 tackles for loss (1.06 per game).
Ryan finished the regular season ranked 77th nationally
(sixth among FCS freshmen) in tackles for loss. He becomes the first Campbell
student-athlete to receive one of the PFL’s annual postseason major awards.
The rookie played in all 11 CU games, making two starts at
middle linebacker. He tallied a season-high 12 tackles with an interception at
San Diego, posting five or more tackles in nine outings.
The PFL’s other major award winners included Stetson safety
Donald Payne (Defensive Player of the Year) and Morehead State quarterback
Austin Gahafer (Offensive Player of the Year), with Dayton cornerback Nick
Kaczkowski and Butler wide receiver Guy DiBalsamo sharing Special Teams Player of
the Year honors.
San Diego quarterback Anthony Lawrence received the Freshman
Offensive Player of the Year award, while Dayton head coach Rick Chamberlin was
named the league’s Coach of the Year.
The PFL will announce its All-PFL squads, Tuesday. The league
then will announce its Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Wednesday, coinciding with
the announcement of the Academic All-PFL teams.
