Murphy and Brownell recognized on D3football.com All-American teams

MINNEAPOLIS – Huntingdon seniors Jeremy Murphy and Zach Brownell were both recognized by D3football.com with the release of its All-American teams on Friday night.

Murphy, a cornerback for the Hawks, earned second-team All-American honors as a special teams player. Brownell was named honorable mention All-American at linebacker.

Murphy and Brownell join former defensive lineman D.J. Chappell as the only Hawks recognized on the D3football.com All-American teams. Chappell was named first-team All-American in 2012 and honorable mention All-American in 2011.

"When someone earns All-American honors, it's not by accident. These guys were special players, who put in a lot of time and a lot of work," Huntingdon head coach Mike Turk said. "We've only had one All-American in the history of our program, so that says a lot about how impressive an accomplishment this is for these two guys."

Murphy's selection was based in part on his kick-blocking ability. The Sylacauga native, who was a first-team All-South Region special teams selection and a second-team All-South Region cornerback, blocked four kicks this season. The four blocks tied for the national lead in Division III. The team captain also had five interceptions, 29 tackles and 10 passes broken up.

"It wasn't just that he was blocking kicks, but he came through with blocks at crucial times," Turk said. "Against Birmingham-Southern, Maryville and North Carolina Wesleyan, his blocks kept them from putting points on the board or gaining momentum at key times. He's as good at getting off the ball and blocking kicks as anyone I've been around. It's something he worked on daily and it paid off."

Brownell, a first-team All-South Region linebacker and the USA South Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, turned in a record-setting season for the Hawks. In just eight games, he set Huntingdon records for total tackles in a season (99), solo tackles in a season (79), solo tackles in a game (15) and total tackles in a game (20).

The Prattville native led the USA South, all of the South Region and was seventh nationally with 12.4 tackles per game. He also had 11 tackles for loss, three sacks, an interception and three fumble recoveries.

"Zach made a lot of plays for us, but on top of that, it was his presence on the field and the way he handled himself," Turk said. "It's easy to just look at his tackles and his other stats, but he was our quarterback on defense. He was the one who would get the calls and make sure everyone was lined up correctly. He helped set the tone for our defense this season."

This is the 16th year D3football.com has compiled an All-American team. It is one of two All-American teams, in addition to the American Football Coaches Association team, recognized by the NCAA.

To view the entire D3football.com All-American teams, click here