Vernon Adams needed to play just 10 games for Eastern Washington to become an All-American.
Adams was chosen the first-team quarterback for The Associated Press FCS All-America football team released Wednesday after a remarkable — yet abbreviated — season.
The junior broke his foot against Idaho State on Oct. 4 and missed four games. Because he missed so much time, Adams doesn’t qualify to rank among the NCAA leaders in per game averages. If he did, he’d be leading FCS in total offense (376.8), yards passing (348.3) and points responsible for (24.8). He is second in touchdown passes with 35 and would be second in passer efficiency rating (169.2).
Adams was rolling toward the Walter Payton Award as the nation’s best FCS player when he got hurt. He ended up finishing as the runner-up for the second straight season.
Villanova quarterback John Robertson was the Payton award and is a second-team All-American.
Adams was one of three Eastern Washington players named to the first team. He was joined by senior offensive lineman Jake Rodgers and sophomore wide receiver Cooper Kupp.
Eastern Washington was eliminated 59-46 in the FCS quarterfinals by Illinois State last week. Adams threw for 425 yards and accounted for four touchdowns.
FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarterback — Vernon Adams, junior, 6-foot, 200 pounds, Eastern Washington.
Running backs — Zach Zenner, senior, 6-0, 220, South Dakota State; Marshaun Coprich, junior, 5-9, 205, Illinois State.
Linemen — Collin Seibert, senior, 6-4, 277, Eastern Illinois; Jake Rummells, senior, 6-5, 301, Northern Iowa; Cole Carruthers, senior, 6-4, 292, Central Arkansas; Joe Haeg, junior, 6-6, 299, North Dakota State; Jake Rodgers, senior, 6-6, 315, Eastern Washington.
Tight end — MyCole Pruitt, senior, 6-3, 255, Southern Illinois.
Wide receivers — Cooper Kupp, sophomore, 6-2, 195, Eastern Washington; R.J. Harris, senior, 6-0, 201, New Hampshire.
All-purpose player — Johnta’ Hebert, junior, 5-10, 195, Prairie View A&M.
Kicker — Michael Schmadeke, junior, 5-10, 181, Northern Iowa.
DEFENSE
Linemen — Kyle Emanuel, senior, 6-3, 251, senior, North Dakota State; Zack Wagenmann, senior, 6-3, 250, Montana; Davis Tull, senior, 6-3, 240, Chattanooga; Javon Hargrave, junior, 6-2, 295, South Carolina State.
Linebackers — Don Cherry, junior, 6-1, 221, Villanova; Nick Dzubnar, senior, 6-2, 250, Cal Poly; Quinn Backus, senior, 5-10, 215, Coastal Carolina.
Backs — Donald Payne, sophomore, 6-0, 205, Stetson; Jacob Hagen, senior, 6-3, 205, Liberty; Caleb Schaffitzel, senior, 6-0, 217, Missouri State; Colten Heagle, junior, 5-11, 206, North Dakota State.
Punter — Kyle Loomis, senior, 6-2, 230, Portland State.
SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarterback — John Robertson, junior, Villanova.
Running backs — Tyler Varga, senior, Yale; Gus Johnson, senior, Stephen F. Austin.
Linemen — Chad Hamilton, senior, Coastal Carolina; Ronald Canty, senior, North Carolina A&T; Mike Coccia, redshirt freshman, New Hampshire; Max Holcombe, junior, Jacksonville State; Antoine Everett, senior, McNeese State.
Tight end — Seth Cranfill, senior, Gardner-Webb.
Wide receivers — De’Andre Carter, senior, Sacramento State; Jake Wieneke, freshman, South Dakota State.
All-purpose player — Ed Eagan, junior, Northwestern State.
Kicker — Justin Syrovatka, senior, South Dakota State.
DEFENSE
Linemen — Devaunte Sigler, junior, Jacksonville State; Zack Hodges, senior, Harvard; Mike Reilly, senior, William &Mary; James Cowser, junior, Southern Utah.
Linebackers — Evan Byers, senior, Bucknell; Connor Underwood, junior, Indiana State; Lynden Trail, senior, Norfolk State.
Backs — Jaquiski Tartt, senior, Samford; Christian Ricard, senior, Stony Brook; Jarrett Dieudonne, senior, Wagner; De’Ante Saunders, junior, Tennessee State.
Punter — Cory Carter, junior, Texas Southern.
THIRD TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarterback — Vad Lee, junior James Madison.
Running backs — Chase Edmonds, freshman, Fordham; Malcolm Cyrus, senior, Alabama State.
Linemen — Austin Gund, senior, Richmond; Mason Halter, senior, Fordham; Nick Easton, senior, Harvard; Donald Jackson III, junior, Sam Houston State; Jermaine Barton, senior, Illinois State.
Tight end —Faysal Shafaat, senior, Chattanooga.
Wide receivers — Adam Drake, senior, Eastern Illinois; Mark Roberts, Lamar, senior.
All-purpose player — David Johnson, senior, Northern Iowa.
Kicker — Adam Keller, senior, North Dakota State.
DEFENSE
Linemen — Ryan Delaire, senior, Towson; Xavier Williams, senior, Northern Iowa; Jonathan Woodard, junior, Central Arkansas; Jeff Covitz, senior, Bryant.
Linebackers — Tony Bell, senior, Tennessee-Martin; Isiah Corbett, junior, Southeastern Louisiana; Nick Thrasher, senior, Tennessee State.
Backs — Zach Adler, senior, Marist; Harlan Miller, junior, Southeastern Louisiana; Matt Hermanson, senior, Montana; Tye Smith, senior, Towson.
Punter — Eric Anderson, sophomore, Delaware.
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