2013 FBS All-Independent Postseason Awards announced

2013 FBS All-Independent Postseason Awards announced2013 FBS All-Independent Postseason Awards announced

Kyle Van Noy named Defensive Player of the Year; Seven Cougars named to the team and 12 honored overall

The 2013 FBS All-Independent Team and individual Players of the Year have been named by the nationwide media panel responsible for the FBS Independent Player of the Week awards.

Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds (Offensive Player of the Year), BYU linebacker Kyle Van Noy (Defensive Player of the Year), Idaho placekicker/punter Austin Rehkow (Special Teams Player of the Year) and Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith (Freshman of the Year) received individual honors.

Unanimous selections to the All-Independent Team were BYU running back Jamaal Williams, Army running back Terry Baggett, BYU safety Daniel Sorensen and Notre Dame cornerback Bennett Jackson.

In addition to earning Defensive Player of the Year honors, Van Noy received FBS All-Independent Team recognition for third straight season. He is joined by Sorensen, fellow BYU linebacker Uani 'Unga and defensive lineman Eathyn Manumaleuna as members of the team on defense. Offensive tackle Michael Yeck joins Williams as BYU selections on offense while Adam Hine received return specialist recognition for the Cougars on special teams. BYU's Craig Bills (DB), Taysom Hill (QB), Cody Hoffman (WR), JD Falslev (PR) and Justin Sorensen (PK) received honorable mention.

Notre Dame's Louis Nix III (DL) and Zack Martin (OL) joined Van Noy as the only three-time selections to the team. Notre Dame also had repeat honorees from 2012 in TJ Jones (WR), Chris Watt (OL), Stephon Tuitt (DL) and Kyle Brindza (PK). In all, Notre Dame placed nine players on the team, followed by BYU's seven selections and Navy's four honorees. Army and Idaho each had two players named to the team and New Mexico State had one selection. 

The team consisted of 13 seniors, eight juniors, three sophomores and one freshman. Last year's freshman honoree, Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds, was one of three sophomores earning placement on the team along wtih BYU's Williams and Hine. 

The FBS All-Independent Team and Players of the Year were selected by members of a nationwide media panel, which includes equal representation from each of the independent institutions’ coverage markets. 

The 2013 FBS All-Independent Team, individual honorees and players receiving honorable mention are listed below:
OFFENSE
QBKeenan Reynolds (So.)Navy
RBTerry Baggett (Jr.)Army
RBJamaal Williams (So.)BYU
WRDezmon Epps (Jr.)Idaho
WRTJ Jones (Sr.)Notre Dame
TETroy Niklas (Jr.)Notre Dame
OLMichael Kime (Sr.)Army
OLMichael Yeck (Jr.)BYU
OLBradyn Heap (Jr.)Navy
OLZack Martin (Sr.)Notre Dame
OLChris Watt (Sr.) Notre Dame
   
DEFENSE
DLEathyn Manumaleuna (Sr.)BYU
DLLouis Nix III (Sr.) Notre Dame
DLStephon Tuitt (Jr.) Notre Dame
LBCody Peterson (Sr.) Navy
LBUani ‘Unga (Sr.) BYU
LBKyle Van Noy (Sr.)BYU
LBDan Fox (Sr.) Notre Dame
DBDaniel Sorensen (Sr.)BYU
DBParrish Gaines (Jr.) Navy
DBDavis Cazares (Sr.) New Mexico State
DBBennett Jackson (Sr.) Notre Dame
   
SPECIAL TEAMS
PKKyle Brindza (Jr.) Notre Dame
PAustin Rehkow (Fr.) Idaho
KRAdam Hine (So.) BYU
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
WRKeenan Reynolds (So.)Navy
   
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
LBKyle Van Noy (Sr.)BYU
   
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
PK/PAustin Rehkow (Fr.) Idaho
   
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
LBJaylon Smith (Fr.)Notre Dame
   

FBS ALL-INDEPENDENT TEAM HONORABLE MENTION

ARMYPK Daniel Grochowski (So.), OL Ryan Powis (Jr.), OL Stephen Shumaker (Jr.)
BYUDB Craig Bills (Jr.), QB Taysom Hill (So.), WR Cody Hoffman (Sr.), KR JD Falslev (Sr.), PK Justin Sorensen (Sr.)
IDAHODL QuayShawne Buckley (Sr.), DL Maxx Forde (Jr.), LB Marc Millan (Jr.), OL Mike Marboe (Jr.), DB Trey Williams (Sr.)
NAVYP Pablo Beltran (Jr.), CB Brendon Clements (Fr.), LB Chris Johnson (Jr.), KR Marcus Thomas (Sr.), OL Jake Zuzek (Jr.)
NEW MEXICO STATEOL Andy Cunningham (So.), WR Austin Franklin (Jr.), LB Trashaun Nixon (Sr.), OL Davonte Wallace (Sr.)
NOTRE DAMEKR George Atkinson III (Jr.), OL Nick Martin (Jr.), QB Tommy Rees (Sr.), CB KeiVarae Russell (So.), LB Prince Shembo (Sr.)