SEMO duo named first-team FCS All-America

SEMO kicker DC Pippin nails the PAT following a Redhawk touchdown against Illinois State on Saturday, Nov. 30 at Houck Field.

Kaiden Karper ~ kkarper@semoball.com

Southeast Missouri State linebacker Bryce Norman and kicker DC Pippin were named as first-team members in the FCS AP All-America team.

SEMO offensive lineman Kobe Sixkiller was also named Offense honorable mention.

Montana State quarterback Tommy Mellott and Southern Utah running back Targhee Lambson, both finalists for the Walter Payton Award given to the most outstanding player in the Championship Subdivision.

Central Arkansas defensive lineman David Walker, Richmond defensive end Jeremiah Grant and Mercer cornerback TJ Moore — finalists for the Buck Buchanan Award given to the top FCS defensive player — also are on the first team.

Mellott leads the FCS' most productive offense and has had a hand in 40 touchdowns for the Bobcats, who host South Dakota in a national semifinal Saturday. His teammate, offensive lineman Marcus Wehr, was a repeat first-team selection.

Mellott edged out North Dakota State's Cam Miller for first-team quarterback by one vote. Miller, the third Payton award finalist, will go into the Bison's home semifinal against South Dakota State on Saturday with 28 touchdown passes and the FCS' second-best completion rate (72.9%).

The All-America team is selected for the AP by a panel of sports information directors and sports writers who cover the FCS.

First-team offense

Quarterback — Tommy Mellott, Montana State, senior, 6-0, 208, Butte, Montana.

Running backs — Targhee Lambson, Southern Utah, senior, 5-9, 200, Spanish Fork, Utah; Lan Larison, UC Davis, senior; 6-0, 215, Caldwell, Idaho, and Kayvon Britten, Tarleton State, senior, 5-7, 195, Cincinnati.

Offensive linemen — Marcus Wehr, Montana State, senior, 6-4, 300, Billings, Montana; Charles Grant, William & Mary, senior, 6-4, 300, Portsmouth, Virginia; Grey Zabel, North Dakota State, senior, 6-6, 305, Pierre, South Dakota; Gus Miller, South Dakota State, senior, 6-3, 295, Brookings, South Dakota; Jackson Slater, Sacramento State, senior, 6-4, 316, Bellevue, Washington, and Mason Miller, North Dakota State, senior, 6-7, 305, Ada, Minnesota.

Tight end — JJ Galbreath, South Dakota, senior, 6-4, 240, Arvada, Colorado.

Wide receiver — Efton Chism III, Eastern Washington, senior, 5-11, 200, Monroe, Washington; Darius Cooper, Tarleton State, senior, 6-0, 190, St. Louis; Jalen Walthall, UIW, junior, 6-2, 180, Missouri City, Texas.

All-purpose player — Lan Larison, UC Davis, senior, 6-0, 215, Caldwell, Idaho.

Kicker — DC Pippin, Southeast Missouri State, senior, 6-0, 195, Springfield, Illinois.

First-team defense

Defensive linemen — David Walker, Central Arkansas, senior, 6-2, 260, Stuttgart, Arkansas; Mi'Quise Grace, South Dakota, sophomore, 6-4, 255, Cincinnati; Jeremiah Grant, Richmond, senior, 6-2, 245, South Orange, New Jersey; Josiah Silver, New Hampshire, senior, 6-2, 247, Hampton, Virginia.

Linebackers — Bryce Norman, Southeast Missouri State, senior, 6-0, 215, Jackson, Missouri; Brandon Tucker, East Texas A&M, sophomore, 5-10, 225, DeSoto, Texas; Gideon Lampron, Dayton, sophomore, 5-11, 215, LaGrange, Ohio, and AJ Pena, Rhode Island, junior, 6-2, 243, Montclair, New Jersey.

Defensive backs — TJ Moore, Mercer, senior, 6-0, 185, Riverdale, Georgia; Jalen Jones, William & Mary, junior, 6-0, 190, Chesapeake, Virginia; Kenny Gallop, Howard, graduate, 6-0, 214, Portsmouth, Virginia; Saiku White, Lafayette, senior, 6-1, 209, Atlanta.

Punter — Jeff Yurk, Elon, junior, 6-2, 224, Southern Pines, North Carolina.