HARTLY, Del. -- After 1,193 fans voting, the 2008 HSRN National Football Players of the Year voting is finalize with Jarrell Guyton (Morgan State/LB) winning the Division I fan poll with 300 votes and Jacary Atkinson (Tuskegee/QB) taking the Division II poll with 416 votes.
"This is our inaugural year and our first national player of the year voting, so we are really appreciative to all HBCU fans who participated with the voting," said HSRN CEO Omar Bashir.
Guyton (SR-6'0, 225/Miami, FL) had a great season earning MEAC Defensive Player of the Year honors after leading one of the most dominating defensive units in the Division I (FCS). Morgan State led the FCS in total defense giving up less than 213.4 yards per game. Guyton collected 35 solo and 35 unassisted tackles for the year. He also finished with 13 tackles for a loss of 41 yards, four sacks for 22 yards in losses, one interception, three pass break ups, and one forced and recovered fumble.
“It feels great to know people took the time to nominate me as a candidate,” said senior Miami product Jarrell Guyton. “I would like to thank those who voted for me, as well as my friends, family and the MEAC conference.”
“I would also like everybody to continue supporting me as I pursue my dream of playing professional football.”
Atkinson (SR-6'3, 205/Valley, AL) finished the seaon as the SIAC Offensive Player of the Year and led the Golden Tigers to a 10-1 season and the 2008 SIAC Championship. He led the conference in passing average per game (244.4), passing yards (2,444) passing touchdowns (23), and total offense average (316.6). Atkinson was named Offensive Player of the Week six times during the 2008 season.
The finalist voting in Division I was Will Ford/JR-RB, S.C. State (second - 101 votes), Marcellus Speaks/SR-LB, Jackson State (third - 40 votes), Bryant Lee/JR-QB, Southern (fourth - 19 votes) and Javarris Williams/SR-RB, Tennessee State (fifth - 14 votes).
In the Division II race, Raytron Mayfield/SR-WR, Langston (second – 127 votes), Louis Ellis/SR-DT, Shaw (third - 126 votes), Jeffrey Cargile/SR-LB, Morehouse ( fourth - 45 votes) and Curtis Rich/SR-QB, Elizabeth City St. (fifth - 5 votes).
