University of Richmond Athletics
Martin Parker Leads Three Spiders On Associated Press All-America Team
12/15/2010 | Football
Dec. 15, 2010
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND - The Associated Press announced its 2010 FCS All-America Team Wednesday and three University of Richmond defensive standouts were honored, headlined by First Team selection senior DL Martin Parker.
Senior LB Eric McBride was named to the Second Team, while senior CB Justin Rogers garnered Third Team honors. Parker has already been a First Team honoree from the AFCA and the Walter Camp Foundation, with McBride joining Parker on the AFCA Team.
Parker could become the fifth consensus First Team All-America in school history, with the announcements of the Sports Network and the College Sporting News squads still to come.
Parker, a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award and a First Team All-CAA Football selection, led all CAA Football defensive linemen in tackles (8.7 per game) and was second overall in the league in total sacks (5.5) and total TFL (13.5) this year. He posted five double-digit tackle games, including 13 versus Delaware and 12 versus Towson. The New Haven, Conn. native, who was a Second Team All-CAA Football pick in 2009, also blocked a PAT attempt in the Delaware game.
Also a finalist for the Buchanan Award, McBride started all 54 games of his career - the longest active streak in CAA Football - and finished 2010 with the league's second-most tackles (119). The Richmond, Va. native was honored as the 2010 CAA Football Defensive Player of the Year. A two-time CAA Football Defensive Player of the Week honoree, he tied for the league-lead in fumble recoveries (three), and finished the year with two forced fumbles, two interceptions, 6.0 tackles for loss and four pass breakups. The big-time playmaker is ranked second all-time at Richmond in tackles (446).
Rogers, who was also a Third Team AP All-America last season, was a First Team pick at both cornerback and punt returner, leading the league in punt return average (12.4 yards), while collecting 48 tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles as the league's premier shutdown corner. A versatile threat, Rogers became the CAA Football career leader in kickoff return yards during the 2010 season and also saw action on offense as he rushed five times, caught three passes and was two-for-two passing.
Richmond players have received 33 Associated Press All-America mentions since 1963, including five First Team selections: DL Martin Parker (2010), OL Matt McCracken (2009), LB Eric Johnson (1992), DB Jeff Nixon (1978) and WR Walker Gillette (1969).
