Tennessee Tech 2011 Football Guide

Page 145

a l l - a m e ri c a n s

Thomas Squires - Strong and mobile, Squires was chosen by The Football News after his 136-tackle effort at linebacker for the Golden Eagles in 1987. He was the leader on a team that went from 0-10 in 1986 to a 5-6 mark under coach Jim Ragland.

Ryan Weeks - Weeks earned All-American nods from all three organizations in 1989 (Associated Press, Kodak and The Sporting News). His 65 points was the secondmost by a Tech kicker in a season, and he went on to be inducted into the TTU Hall of Fame.

Robert Taylor - Taylor was the first All-American under coach Mike Hennigan, earning the award from AP, Walter Cap and The Sporting News in 1996. He led Tech and the OVC with nine interceptions.

Branon Vaughn - Vaughn earned All-America honors in both 1998 and 1999. He was a three-time first-team allOVC defensive end, and was signed by the San Fransisco 49ers after earning the OVC Defensive Player of the Year award in 1998.

David Collett - The 1999 season produced four AllAmericans for the Golden Eagles, including placekicker David Collett, who led Tech in scoring all four years and was signed by the Indianapolis Colts. He was a first-team allOVC selection.

Wes Gallagher - One of four All-Americans for the Golden Eagles in 1999, Gallagher was the leader in an offensive line. He was the first football player in school history to earn All-America as well as Academic All-America, an award he received three times.

Josh Symonette - A threetime all-OVC selection, including back-to-back first-team honors, Symonette was an All-America pick in 1999 prior to an NFL career with Washington, Green Bay and Miami.

Joey Bishop - Bishop was part of a record season for the Golden Eagles, who placed five different players on the All-America lists in 2000. An offensive center, Bishop was a first-team all-OVC pick on a team that went 8-3, and repeated as All-American in 2001.

D.J. Bleisath - A two-time AllAmerica selection, Bleisath received the honor in both 2000 and 2001. A three-time first-team all-OVC pick, he was a national finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award. His 2001 All-America selections came from four different organizations.

Chad Evitts - One of five All-America picks in Tech’s 8-3 season of 2000, Evitts was also named the OVC Defensive Player of the Year. A first-team all-OVC pick, he topped Tech twice in tackles, including 118 stops in 2000. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Troy Grant - The team leader in interceptions in 1999, it took another year for Grant to receive national honors with his 2000 All-America pick. He signed with the San Diego Chargers after two allOVC selections.

Andrew McGraw - A firstteam all-OVC selecton in the offensive line, McGraw was one of five Golden Eagles to capture All-America honors in 2000 when the Golden Eagles posted an 8-3 mark.

Frank Omiyale- Before being drafted by the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, Omiyale distinguished himself as an outstanding offensive tackle with his 2004 All-America selection by The Football Gazette.

Brandon Shelby- Shelby led Tech in interceptions in both 2003 and 2004, including five as a senior, and was rewarded with All-America distinction by The Football Gazette.

Larry Shipp - A first-team all-OVC selection in three consecutive seasons, Shipp capped his record career in 2007 with All-America honors from AP and The Sports Network.

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