Villanova's Kpassagnon is CAA defensive player of the year
VILLANOVA SENIOR end Tanoh Kpassagnon, who is considered a potential high NFL draft pick in 2017, was named the Colonial Athletic Assocation defensive player of the year.
VILLANOVA SENIOR end Tanoh Kpassagnon, who is considered a potential high NFL draft pick in 2017, was named the Colonial Athletic Assocation defensive player of the year.
The 6-7, 290-pound Wissahickon High product is the second Wildcat to receive that award. The other was linebacker Curtis Eller, a two-time winner (1991-92).
Kpassagnon led the league and ranked 12th in FCS with 19 tackles for losses (including 8.5 sacks) for the Wildcats (8-3), who'll host St. Francis (7-4) Saturday afternoon in the first round of the NCAA postseason tournament. He also recovered two fumbles and blocked a kick for a defense that ranked third nationally.
Senior LB Austin Calitro and junior safety Rob Rolle joined him on the first team. Senior offensive lineman Brad Seaton, sophomore running back Aaron Forbes and junior tight end Ryan Bell made second team. Senior defensive lineman Bryan Osei, junior punter John Hinchen and sophomore linebacker Ed Shockley were on third.
Penn stars honored
Penn, which shared the Ivy League title for the second straight season, had six first-team selections: senior offensive lineman Nick Demes, senior quarterback Alek Torgersen, junior wide receiver Justin Watson, junior defensive end Louis Vecchio, junior running back Tre Solomon and sophomore defensive back Mason Williams. That was tied for the most in the Ivies and the most for the Quakers since 2002. Four (Demes, Torgersen, Watson and Solmon) were unanimous selections. The other seven teams had five combined.
Five others made second team: Soph LB Nick Miller, junior LB Colton Moskal, soph WR Christian Pearson, soph DB Sam Phillippi and senior OL Dan Poulos.
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