WCU’s Drob, Morrissey, Gilbert are All-America

West Chester was well-represented on the 2018 Division II Associated Press All-America football squad. Graduate student Tyler Drob and senior Tyler Morrissey were each named to the first team, while senior Diquan Gilbert was a second team pick.

A finalist for the Gene Upshaw Award and an Academic AllArea honoree, Drob started all 11 games on the Golden Rams’ offensive line at left guard. He helped West Chester finish 10-1 overall and win the school’s first outright conference championship since 1971.

Along the way, WCU led the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference in rushing, averaging 204.5 rushing yards per game. The Golden Rams also led the PSAC in scoring offense and was third in total offense. West Chester racked up 2,249 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns on the season.

Morrissey, a preseason AllAmerica selection and Division II AP All-America pick a year ago, makes his second and final appearance on the All-America squad. His latest accolade comes on the heels of an appointment to the first team American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) AllAmerica unit earlier this month.

The Rams’ middle linebacker finished 2018 with a team-best 86 tackles, including 10 of those for a loss and 8.5 of those counting as a sack. He also forced three fumbles and recovered one while coming up with a clutch blocked field goal in the final five minutes of a win at Bloomsburg that preserved a 17-14 victory.

Gilbert was a pass-rushing defensive end who posted 20 tackles for a loss with 12.5 of those coming by virtue of the sack. He finished fifth on the team in tackles with 40 while recording four QB hurries and intercepting a pass. He also forced a fumble.