FOOTBALL GAZETTE NAMES TWO FERRIS STATE PLAYERS ALL-AMERICANS

Kevin Myers and Whitney Bell Named To Publication’s 2004 Preseason Team

A pair of Ferris State University seniors, outside linebacker Kevin Myers (Midland) and defensive tackle Whitney Bell (Sault Ste. Marie/Sault Area) are among 130 student-athletes named 2004 preseason NCAA Division II All-Americans by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette.

Myers was one of 15 linebackers chosen to the preseason All-America squad while Bell was among eight defensive tackles to garner recognition. The 2004 season represents the 17th year in which Don Hansen’s Football Gazette, a recognized authority on small college football, has produced both a NCAA Division II All-America preseason and postseason teams.

Kevin Myers picked up his second preseason All-America honor.

Two-time (2002-03) defending NCAA-II National Champion and Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) member Grand Valley State led the way with four preseason All-Americans as a total of 85 schools had representation.

Myers, who was also named to Street & Smith’s College Football 2004 Preseason All-America Team, accumulated a career-high and conference-high 141 tackles (87 solo) in 11 2003 contests as his season tackles total marked the 13th highest total among the school’s single-season all-time leaders. Nationally, the 5-11, 210-pound linebacker finished second in solo tackles (7.9 avg.), fourth in total tackles (12.8 avg.) and fourth in forced fumbles (0.45 avg.). Myers, who was chosen Ferris’ Most Valuable Defensive Skill Player this season, compiled eight double-digit tackle game performances in the 2003 campaign. As a result of his success, the 2003 All-GLIAC First-Team honoree was recognized as an All-American by both the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and The Associated Press (AP). He achieved second-team All-America kudos by Daktronics, Inc. and Football Gazette while receiving All-America Honorable Mention plaudits by D2Football.com. Prior to those accolades, Myers was named a first-team All-Northeast Region honoree by Daktronics, Inc., the Football Gazette and D2Football.com.

Whitney Bell hopes to make the most of his preseason All-America billing this fall.

In 31 career appearances to date at FSU, Myers has accumulated 302 tackles (174 solos) to currently rank 14th on the Bulldogs’ all-time leaders list while producing 16 double-digit game tackle efforts. He had 9.5 tackles for a loss of 17 yards, one quarterback sack for minus five yards, six forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 17 pass deflections and six pass interceptions for 41 yards.

Like Myers, Bell is coming off of his most productive campaign in a Bulldogs’ uniform and was named to the Football Gazette’s All-America Second Team in 2003. Prior to receiving the national recognition, Bell picked up Northeast Region Second-Team accolades by D2Football.com, Football Gazette and Daktronics, Inc. The 6-2, 284-pound tackle racked up a career-high 99 tackles (64 solo) in 10 games a season ago to tie for third place among the squad’s top tacklers. The 2003 All-GLIAC First-Teamer and FSU Most Valuable Defensive Lineman Award recipient paced all GLIAC defensive linemen in tackles by averaging an 11th-place 9.9 stops per outing while finishing second on the team in both tackles for loss (16.4 for -47 yards) and quarterback sacks (seven for -33 yards). He placed sixth nationally in solo tackles (6.4 avg.), 25th in tackles for loss (1.7 avg.), 31st in forced fumbles (0.3 avg.), 33rd in pass sacks (0.7 avg.) and 43rd in total tackles (9.9 avg.).

Ferris State will open fall camp this Thursday (Aug. 5) before conducting its first official practice the following day (Aug. 6). FSU will embark on its 2004 season schedule Saturday, Aug. 28, as the Bulldogs host archrival Grand Valley State in Big Rapids, Mich. Opening kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. (EDT) at FSU’s Top Taggart Field.