Football 11/28/2017 2:41:00 PM MSU Athletic Communications

Four Bears Named to All-MEAC Football Teams

Junior DE Malachi Washington.

NORFOLK, Va. – The Morgan State football team had four student-athletes recognized when the 2017 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Teams were released Tuesday afternoon.

Defensive end Malachi Washington earned second-team All-MEAC recognition, while tight end Brandon Jones, defensive back Carl Garnes and linebacker Rico Kennedy earned third-team honors.

Washington led the Bears on defense as one of the league's premier pass rushers. The junior ranked No. 3 in the league with eight sacks and ranked T-No. 3 in the tackles for loss (17; ranked T-No. 8 in FCS). He completed the season with 39 tackles, including a forced fumble and fumble recovery.

Kennedy emerged as a talented and aggressive linebacker for the Bears. The sophomore led the team with 70 tackles and ranked No. 5 in the MEAC with 7.5 sacks. The Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) product also led the league with four forced fumbles and finished the season ranked No. 2 in the nation (FCS) with 19.5 tackles for loss.

Garnes was recognized for the second straight season as a standout in the Bears' secondary. The Columbus, N.J. native ranked fourth on the team with 38 tackles from his safety position and completed the season with four tackles for loss and 10 pass defenses.

Brandon Jones was the lone offensive selection for the Bears. The junior from Salt Lake, Utah saw action in every game and finished the season with 16 catches for 181 yards (16.5 avg), including a 6-yard touchdown reception during the Bears' homecoming win against Savannah State (Oct. 14).

Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Champion North Carolina A&T State University dominated the 2017 All-MEAC Football Team with 12 student-athletes named to the first team. The Aggies will play in its second Celebration Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 16 at the brand-new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. No MEAC team has finished the season with both a perfect regular season and postseason mark.

North Carolina A&T State's Brandon Parker made history as the first player to be named MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Year for three consecutive seasons. Howard University freshman Caylin Newton was tabbed as the league's Freshman of the Year while North Carolina A&T State's Rod Broadway was selected as Coach of the Year.

In a partnership with the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame, the league's Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year will be announced as part of the festivities surrounding the 60^th NFF Annual Awards Dinner, Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the Hilton Midtown in New York City. The event will be televised live on ESPN3 at 9 a.m.

For the complete 2017 All-MEAC teams click here

Offensive Lineman of the Year: Brandon Parker, North Carolina A&T State
Rookie of the Year: Caylin Newton, Howard
Coach of the Year: Rod Broadway, North Carolina A&T State

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Players Mentioned

#2 Carl Garnes: DB; 6' 1"; Junior

#28 Rico Kennedy: LB; 6' 3"; Sophomore

#10 Malachi Washington: DE; 6' 2"; Junior

#84 Brandon Jones: TE; 6' 5"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#2 Carl Garnes
: 6' 1"; Junior
: DB

#28 Rico Kennedy
: 6' 3"; Sophomore
: LB

#10 Malachi Washington
: 6' 2"; Junior
: DE

#84 Brandon Jones
: 6' 5"; Junior
: TE