AURN announces 2013 SBN Sports Black College All-American Team

American Urban Radio Networks and its partner, the Black College Football Hall of Fame are proud to announce the 2013 SBN Sports Black College All-American (BCAA) Team. They will be honored at the 40th Annual SBN Black College All-American Awards Reception February 28, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. The SBN All-American Team and SBN’s 2013 Black College National Champion Tennessee State University Tigers will also be recognized during the Black College Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony, March 1, 2014, in Atlanta.

The 2013 SBN All-American Team is led by seven players from Tennessee State and South Carolina State, respectively. The Tigers had four members of their championship team chosen while the Bulldogs had three players selected. Southern University quarterback Dray Joseph is the “2013 SBN Sports Doug Williams Offensive Player of the Year,” South Carolina State University linebacker Joe Thomas is the “2013 SBN Sports Mel Blount Defensive Player of the Year” and Tennessee State University Head Coach Rod Reed is the “2013 SBN Sports Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year.”

Dray Joseph, (6-0, 210, Sr., Edgard, LA) Southern University, “2013 SBN Sports | Doug Williams Offensive Player of the Year”

Joseph led Southern to an 8-4 record and its first SWAC Western Division crown since 2004. In 2013 he became the school’s all-time leading passer and finished the season with 3,236 yards passing and 27 touchdowns. Joseph passed for over 200 yards in 10 regular season games and in the Jaguars SWAC Championship Game win over Jackson State passed for 337 yards and three touchdowns.

Joe Thomas (6-1, 230, Sr., Blackville, SC) South Carolina State University, “2013 SBN Sports | Mel Blount Defensive Player of the Year”

Thomas recorded 116 tackles including 84 solo stops during the 2013 season. He also totaled 7.5 sacks, five pass break-ups, five quarterback hurries, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He was the MEAC’s Defensive Player of the Year and a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award.

Rod Reed, Tennessee State University, “2013 SBN Sports | Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year”

Reed led Tennessee State to their first Black College National Championship since 1982. He also led the Tigers to the FCS Playoffs for the first time since 1999 and the Tigers first post-season win since 1986, a 31-0 defeat over Butler.  Reed was named Tennessee State Head Coach in 2009 and as a former player was an SBN All-American during his senior season in 1988.

The 2013 SBN Sports Black College All-American Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, Coach of the Year and National Championship Team will be honored at the 40th Annual SBN Sports Awards Reception February 28, 2014. They will also be recognized during the Black College Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony March 1, 2014, at the Loews Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia.

The SBN Black College All-American Awards recognizes and celebrates the academic and athletic achievements of student athletes who play football at America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities.