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January 18, 2013

Williams named top defender by d2football.com

From staff reports

The awards just keep on coming for Brandon Williams.

Williams, senior defensive tackle at Missouri Southern, was named NCAA Division II defensive player of the year on Thursday by the website d2football.com.

The team was selected by the d2football.com staff with input from coaches, scouts, media and sports information directors.

With this honor, Williams becomes a first-team selection on five All-America teams.

Earlier Williams was named national defensive player of the year by Beyond Sports Network. He also picked up honors from the Associated Press Little All-America team, Daktronics (selected by sports information directors) and the American Football Coaches Association.

Williams became the Lions’ career leader in quarterback sacks (27). He was in on a sack in eight of 11 games this past season, and he had a tackle for loss in 10 games.

Williams was the Lions’ second-leading tackler with 68 total stops, including 16.5 behind the line of scrimmage for minus-58 yards and 8.5 sacks for minus-39 yards.

He also recorded two pass breakups, eight QB hurries, five forced fumbles and one safety.

Williams has been selected to play in the Senior Bowl on Jan. 26 in Mobile, Ala. The game will be televised by the NFL Network.

The d2football.com’s offensive player of the year also came from the MIAA — running back Michael Hill of Missouri Western. Hill finished second in the Harlon Hill Award voting behind Shippensburg quarterback Zach Zulli.

Emporia State tight end Adam Shiltz joined Williams and Hill on the first team.

Pittsburg State linebacker Nate Dreiling and receiver-kick returner Nate Dreiling, both juniors, were named to the second team along with Missouri Western defensive linemen David Bass and Ben Pister, Lindenwood defensive back Pierre Desir and Northwest Missouri State defensive back Brandon Dixon.

Honorable mention selections from MIAA schools were Missouri Western tight end Reggie Jordan and offensive lineman Macon Allan, Northeastern State offensive lineman Michael Bowie and Northwest Missouri offensive lineman Rod Williams, linebacker Collin DeBuysere and Nate DeJong.

David Dean of national champion Valdosta State was named coach of the year.

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