EIU's Football Players Earn All-American Honors

CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Eastern Illinois had two football players earn All-American honors as the Associated Press released its 2014 FCS All-America team on Wednesday. Collin Seibert was a first team selection while Adam Drake was named to the third team.
 
Seibert earned his third first team All-American honor this season after previously being named to the American Football Coaches Association and Walter Camp teams. Seibert was selected after helping the Panthers offense rank in the Top 20 nationally this season in both total offense and rushing offense. He anchored the offensive unit grading out at over 90 percent for the season.   Seibert was a first team All-Ohio Valley Conference selection this season marking the third straight year that the senior earned first team honors.  This is the second straight year Seibert has earned first team All-America honors by at least one organization.  He was a first team selection by Sports Network as a junior.
 
He becomes the 13th EIU player to earn Associated Press first team All-American honors in the NCAA Division I era of EIU football joining Jimmy Garoppolo (2013), Erik Lora (2012 & 2013), Nick Ricks (2002), Tony Romo (2002), J.R. Taylor (2002), Tim Lance (1990), John Jurkovic (1989), Roy Banks (1986), Robert Williams (1983), Chris Nicholson (1983) and Bob Norris (1982).
 
Drake earned All-American honors for the second straight year as the wide receiver was a third team selection by Sports Network last season. This year Drake caught 93 passes for 1,321 yards and 12 touchdowns. He led the Ohio Valley Conference in all three categories and was ranked in the FCS top five in receptions and receiving yards per game at the end of the regular season. Drake’s 93 receptions and 1,321 yards were the third highest single season total in school history.  He completed his career ranked second in career receptions and third in receiving yards in school history.  Both career totals landed Drake in the OVC career top ten.
 
A total of seven OVC players earned AP All-American honors with Seibert the only player selected on the first team. EIU had two representatives as did Jacksonville State and Tennessee State.  UT Martin had one player on the All-American team.