Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Steele tabs Lane All-American, 7 others all-conference
6/16/2022 12:30:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO – Wide receiver/returner Jaylin Lane was picked as a Preseason 2022 First Team All-American by Phil Steele, while seven other Blue Raiders were named to the C-USA All-Conference team.
Lane was picked as a punt returner on the All-American team while also earning first team all-conference recognition. Jordan Ferguson, Brody Butler, Kyle Ulbrich, Izaiah Gathings, Jacqui Graham, Marley Cook, and Zaylin Wood all earned all-conference honors.
Lane, a sophomore, finished last season with 42 receptions for 466 yards and four touchdowns while also leading the team in punt returns (19-295-1) and kickoff returns (13-285-0). Lane also ranked second nationally in punt return average.
Ferguson, a defensive end, earned first team honors after turning in a career year in 2021. Ferguson ended the 2021 season with new career marks in tackles (58), tackles for loss (16.5), sacks (9.0), hurries (14), forced fumbles (3) and fumble recoveries (2). The second team all-conference pick ranked 22nd nationally in tackles for loss.
Butler, a long snapper, also garnered first team recognition while punter Kyle Ulbrich was on the second team. Ulbrich ended the 2021 season with a 44.4-yard punting average with 16 punts of 50 or more yards and 24 downed inside the 20-yard line. His punting average ranked 27th nationally.
Gathings, Graham, Cook and Wood were all placed on the fourth team. Gathings, 6-4, had 24 receptions for 302 yards and a touchdown in his first year with the Blue Raiders in 2021.
Graham, a junior from Montgomery, AL, played in 10 games a year ago and had four starts on the offensive line. He is currently listed among the starting group as preseason camp approaches.
Cook, a sophomore defensive tackle, turned in 14 tackles, including 3.5 TFLs, 3.0 sacks, an interception and five hurries in 2021.
Wood, also on the defensive line, earned 12 starts a year ago and finished with 29 tackles, including 4.0 TFLs, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick.
The Blue Raiders will begin fall practice on August 3 with the season opener set for Sept. 3 at James Madison.
Lane was picked as a punt returner on the All-American team while also earning first team all-conference recognition. Jordan Ferguson, Brody Butler, Kyle Ulbrich, Izaiah Gathings, Jacqui Graham, Marley Cook, and Zaylin Wood all earned all-conference honors.
Lane, a sophomore, finished last season with 42 receptions for 466 yards and four touchdowns while also leading the team in punt returns (19-295-1) and kickoff returns (13-285-0). Lane also ranked second nationally in punt return average.
Ferguson, a defensive end, earned first team honors after turning in a career year in 2021. Ferguson ended the 2021 season with new career marks in tackles (58), tackles for loss (16.5), sacks (9.0), hurries (14), forced fumbles (3) and fumble recoveries (2). The second team all-conference pick ranked 22nd nationally in tackles for loss.
Butler, a long snapper, also garnered first team recognition while punter Kyle Ulbrich was on the second team. Ulbrich ended the 2021 season with a 44.4-yard punting average with 16 punts of 50 or more yards and 24 downed inside the 20-yard line. His punting average ranked 27th nationally.
Gathings, Graham, Cook and Wood were all placed on the fourth team. Gathings, 6-4, had 24 receptions for 302 yards and a touchdown in his first year with the Blue Raiders in 2021.
Graham, a junior from Montgomery, AL, played in 10 games a year ago and had four starts on the offensive line. He is currently listed among the starting group as preseason camp approaches.
Cook, a sophomore defensive tackle, turned in 14 tackles, including 3.5 TFLs, 3.0 sacks, an interception and five hurries in 2021.
Wood, also on the defensive line, earned 12 starts a year ago and finished with 29 tackles, including 4.0 TFLs, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick.
The Blue Raiders will begin fall practice on August 3 with the season opener set for Sept. 3 at James Madison.
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