On Wednesday the Sun Belt Conference announced its all conference teams as well as its individual awards for the 2016 season. Arkansas State DE Ja’Von Rolland-Jones was named the conference player of the year and becomes only the second defensive player named POTY in the Sun Belt joining North Texas’ Brandon Kennedy who was the 2002 and 2003 choice. Rolland-Jones also becomes only the second ASU player given that honor along with QB Ryan Aplin (2011 and 2012.)

The Jr defensive end finished the regular season with 28.5 career sacks becoming the Sun Belt’s all time sacks leader. As impressive as his 2016 statistics are, his performance in conference games is what really stands out. His season totals for sacks (11.5 tied for 2nd in the Belt) and tackles for loss(18.5 tied for 1st in the Belt), pale when you narrow it down to just Sun Belt play. During conference play Rolland-Jones notched 9.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss, truly a constant a terror in the backfield.

Arkansas State placed 11 on the All Sun Belt first and second teams, second only to Appalachian State who placed 12.

Player of the Year: Ja’Von Rolland-Jones Ark St. DE Jr

Offensive Player of the Year: Jalin Moore App St RB Soph

Defensive Player of the Year: Rashad Dillard Troy DL Sr

Freshman of the Year: Clifton Duck App St DB Fr

Newcomer of the Year: Aikeem Coleman Idaho DL Jr

Coach of the Year: Paul Petrino Idaho

Sun Belt All Conference First Team Red Wolves

Jemar Clark Sr OL

Chris Odom Sr DL

Ja’Von Rolland-Jones Jr DL

Sun Belt All Conference Second Team Red Wolves

Blake Mack Jr TE

Colton Jackson Jr OL

Xavier Woodson-Luster Sr LB

Cody Brown Sr DB

Justin Clifton So DB

Blaise Taylor Jr Ret

Warren Wand So All Purpose

Sun Belt Conference Newcomer Team

Kyle Wilson Jr LB