--- "title": "SWAC Announces 2014 All-Conference Teams, Players Of The Year" "description": "BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference released its 2014 all-conference teams Friday and saw the big winners spread across the league with two co-players of the year.  First year Grambling State University head coach Broderick Fobbs was named Coach of the Year. Malcolm Cyrus of Alabama State University and John Gibbs, Jr. from Alcorn […]" "date": "2014-12-06" "authors": - "name": "HBCU Sports" "url": "https://hbcusports.com/2014/12/06/swac-announces-2014-all-conference-teams-players-of-the-year/" "categories": - "Football" "tags": - "Alabama State" - "Alcorn State" - "Prairie View" - "SWAC" --- # SWAC Announces 2014 All-Conference Teams, Players Of The Year **BIRMINGHAM, Ala.** – The Southwestern Athletic Conference released its 2014 all-conference teams Friday and saw the big winners spread across the league with two co-players of the year. First year Grambling State University head coach Broderick Fobbs was named Coach of the Year. Malcolm Cyrus of Alabama State University and John Gibbs, Jr. from Alcorn State University shared co-offensive player of the year honors. Texas Southern’s Darian Claibourne, and Mississippi Valley State’s Quantavius Peterson shared newcomer of the year. Prairie View A&M University’s Jerome Howard earned the defensive player of the year award, and western division champion Southern University’s quarterback Austin Howard was named freshman of the year. Cyrus led the SWAC and finished third in the nation with 1,662 yards rushing, scoring 12 touchdowns. The senior also caught 28 passes for another 380 yards and a score. After clocking an additional 34 yards in kick returns, Cyrus finished with over 2,000 all-purpose yards, fourth best in the nation. Gibbs led the Braves to an eastern division title and the team’s first berth to the conference championship game. He completed 169-of-294 passes for a total of 2,237 yards, 18 touchdowns and has been intercepted only six times. His dominance in the air was only matched by his ability to leave the pocket as he grabbed a career-high 874 yards this season and another 11 touchdowns. He ranks third in the league in passing efficiency. Howard led all defensive players averaging 11.8 tackles per game. He finished fifth national in total tackles with 118, second in the league. The linebacker is also ranked top 10 in the SWAC for tackles for loss and sacks. He earned 10-plus tackles in eight of the team’s 10 games. The preseason All-SWAC first teamer has also earned *College Football Performance Award* weekly honors this season. Claiborne stepped up in the Tigers front seven and immediately began to make an impact. He led with a team-high 77 tackles. He had five tackles for loss and also grabbed an interception this season. Peterson, who has earned SWAC newcomer of the week honors, finished the year with 874 passing yards and six touchdowns. The quarterback also rushed 297 yards and five touchdowns. Howard led the Jaguars to their second consecutive SWAC Championship appearance as a true freshman. He has thrown for over 2,100 yards and 17 touchdowns this season. Howard passed for over 200 yards in five games and closed out the regular season with four rushing touchdowns. **CO-OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR** Malcolm Cyrus (Alabama State) John Gibbs, Jr. (Alcorn State) **DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR** Jerome Howard (Prairie View A&M) **NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR** Darian Claibourne (Texas Southern) Quantavius Peterson (Mississippi Valley State) **FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR** Austin Howard (Southern) **FIRST TEAM** **OFFENSE** QB John Gibbs, Jr. Alcorn State RB Malcolm Cyrus Alabama State RB Johntá Hebert Prairie View A&M OL DeWayne Houston Southern OL Zach Brown Southern OL Isaac Sampson Alcorn State OL Tre Glover Prairie View A&M OL Damina Love Alabama State WR Julian Stafford Mississippi Valley State WR Willie Quinn Southern TE Jordan Payne Alcorn State **DEFENSE** DL Arthur Miley Southern DL Deion Roberson Alcorn State DL Demarcus Berry Arkansas-Pine Bluff DL Darien Moody Alcorn State LB Jerome Howard Prairie View A&M LB Kourtney Berry Alabama State LB Danny Brownell Prairie View A&M DB Devon Francois Alcorn State DB Najee Bright Alabama State DB Warren Gatewood Alcorn State DB Kevin Rucker Arkansas-Pine Bluff **SPECIAL TEAMS** K Chris Barrick Prairie View A&M P Corey Carter Texas Southern RS Johntá Hebert Prairie View A&M **SECOND TEAM** **OFFENSE** QB Johnathan Williams Grambling RB Lenard Tillery Southern RB Anthony Williams III Alcorn State OL Demechery Hickingbottom Alabama State OL Detonio Dade Alcorn State OL Dillon Bonnet Prairie View A&M OL Jonathan Smith Jackson State OL Marcus Cook Jackson State WR Daniel Williams Jackson State WR Willie Young Arkansas-Pine Bluff TE Natron Brooks Mississippi Valley State **DEFENSE** DL Anthony Lanier Alabama A&M DL Edward Mosley Alabama State DL Devohn Reed Prairie View A&M DL Gabe Echols Southern LB Damon Watkins Alcorn State LB Willie Duncan Arkansas-Pine Bluff LB Ariane McCree Jackson State DB Danny Johnson Southern DB Avery Boykin Mississippi Valley State DB Damond Jackson Prairie View A&M DB Tray Walker Texas Southern **SPECIAL TEAMS** K Ryan Deising Jackson State K Haiden McCraney Alcorn State P Haiden McCraney Alcorn State RS Willie Quinn Southern *Courtesy: SWAC*