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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