Sun Sentinel Broward Edition

Bryant, Robison among five named first-team All-C-USA

- By Khobi Price

Florida Atlantic had five players who received first-team AllConfere­nce USA recognitio­n Tuesday, with four of them coming from the offensive unit.

Tight end Harrison Bryant, offensive linemen Junior Diaz and Brandon Walton and quarterbac­k Chris Robison were announced as first-team selections.

The Owls’ 35.2 scoring average led the conference. Redshirt junior cornerback Meiko Dotson was the Owls’ lone defensive selection to the all-conference first team.

Bryant is one of the three finalists for the John Mackey Award. He eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards for the season in FAU’s victory against UAB in the C-USA championsh­ip game, becoming the third Owls player in program history and third CUSA tight end to record 1,000 yards in a season.

Bryant leads all tight ends in the FBS in receptions (61) and yards (1,004) while scoring seven touchdowns. Pro Football Focus named him the 2019 CUSA Player of the Year.

Walton moved to left tackle after starting every game in 2017 and 2018 at right tackle. He was invited and accepted his invitation to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl on Jan. 18, 2020.

At the time of the nomination period, Diaz was the team’s highest-graded offensive lineman this season, according to FAU. He was named to Pro Football Focus’ 2019 All-Conference USA team.

Robison recorded 26 touchdown passes to just six intercepti­ons during the 2019 season, a dramatic improvemen­t from his 12-to-12 ratio during the 2018 season. His 3,416 passing yards lead the conference. He was named the C-USA championsh­ip game MVP.

Dotson leads the nation in intercepti­ons with nine. He broke the previous program record for most intercepti­ons in a season (seven) during the Owls’ game against

30.

The Owls lead the takeaways with 30.

Linebacker Akileis Leroy Jr. was named second-team allconfere­nce. He’s recorded 101 tackles, 15 1⁄2 tackles for loss and 7 1⁄2 sacks to go along with three intercepti­ons and five forced fumbles, the third-most in the FBS, during the 2019 season.

Wide receiver Deangelo Antoine received honorable mentions at both wide receiver and kick returner.

Left guard Desmond Noel, tight end John Raine, long snapper Jonathan Sullivan, defensive tackle Ray Ellis, defensive end Tim Bonner, linebacker Rashad Smith, safety Zyon Gilbert and cornerback­s James Pierre and Chris Tooley also received honorable mentions.

Running back Larry McCammon III, right tackle Marquice Robinson, linebacker Eddie Williams and punter Matt Hayball were named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team.

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Texas Tech players whoop it up during the second half against No. 1 Louisville.

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KATHY WILLENS/AP

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