Five Collect USA Football Division III Preseason All-America Honors

(Morrisville, NY – July 2015) USA Football announced its 2015 Division III Preseason All-America teams, naming five Morrisville State Mustangs to its first, third and honorable mention teams.

Senior Fahraad Johnson (Westbury, N.Y.) was named to the first team at offensive line following the 2014 season campaign that saw him start all 11 games for the Mustangs. Johnson was part of the offensive line that sat at the top of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) in scoring, total offense, rushing offense and first downs. His efforts earned the Mustangs national attention, ranking 16th in all of Division III in total offense, as they claimed a share of the NJAC title and earned the program’s first post-season bid where they captured the ECAC North Central Bowl Championship.

Johnson was a first team all-conference selection.

Senior running back Cristian Pena (Ridgewood, N.Y.) was named to the third team, following second team All-Conference accolades just a season ago. Pena appeared in 10 games for the Mustangs in the backfield, totaling 1,120 all-purpose yards (962 rushing) and 12 touchdowns. Six times throughout the season Pena registered 100+ yards rushing, ranking fourth overall in the conference in rushing come season end.

Seniors Anthony Gray (Smallwood, N.Y.), Kenny Maryon (Kingston, N.Y.) and Colton Evans (West Winfield, N.Y.) each earned honorable mention honors.

Gray finished the season second on the team and fourth overall in the NJAC in receiving yards on the season starting all 11 games for the Mustangs. Come season end, Gray totaled 711 yards on 55 receptions for six touchdowns. He was an honorable mention All-Conference selection at wide receiver in 2014, and is a two-time selection as a pre-season All-American in 2015.

Maryon wrapped up his junior season with honorable mention All-Conference honors from the NJAC, serving as a critical anchor to the offensive line that held several conference and national rankings. Maryon made 11 starts for the Mustangs at right guard.

Evans is the lone Mustang selected as a preseason All-American from the defensive unit. The senior earned honorable All-Conference honors in 2014 following a stellar third year at linebacker. In 11 starts, Evans posted 87 total tackles, including a team best 17 tackles for a loss and a team high 10 sacks. He also collected an interception, registered two forced fumbles and a blocked kick. Evans finished the season ranked seventh in the NJAC in total tackles, first in sacks and second in tackles for a loss.

Morrisville State will open camp Aug. 12, preparing for their season opener against St. Lawrence on September 4. In 2015 the Mustangs will compete as an associate member of the Empire 8 Conference.