FRISCO – Three Texas A&M University-Commerce football players earned all-Southland Conference honors on Wednesday morning, with all three landing on first team defense.
In 2023, the Lions finished with the third best total defense and third best passing offense during conference play. Levi Drake Rodriguez (Georgetown – Eastview) is named to first team defense on the defensive line, while defensive backs Daryion Taylor (Humble – Atascocita) and Max Epps (Spring – Dekaney) are also named to the first team.
Rodriguez totaled 43 tackles in conference play, which is 10th in conference play, he ranks seventh with his 28 assisted tackles, fourth in the SLC in tackles for loss and tied for second in sacks, recovered two fumbles and forced one.
Taylor was the team leader in tackles, ranking 10th with 41 total tackles in conference play, 10th with 4.5 tackles for loss, tied for fifth with two interceptions in conference play.
Epps was National Player of the Week and Conference Player of the Week after the game at Old Dominion, recorded four interceptions on the season, which is tied for most in the FCS. He is the FCS leader in interception return yards and totaled 48 tackles, four interceptions, and three breakups.
The Lions have had multiple first team all-conference honorees in each of the last two seasons that they have been part of the NCAA Division I FCS and the Southland Conference.
2023 Southland Conference Football Individual Superlative Winners Player of the Year: Jaylon Spears, Nicholls Offensive Player of the Year: Brandon Porter, UIW Defensive Player of the Year: Jalyx Hunt, HCU Newcomer of the Year: Zach Calzada, UIW Freshman of the Year: Rasheed Lovelace, Nicholls Offensive Lineman of the Year: Mark Barthelemy, Nicholls Coach of the Year: Tim Rebowe, Nicholls
