Six From 'Roo Football Earn All-SAA

ATLANTA, Ga. – Six members of the Austin College football team have been named as All-Southern Athletic Association performers for the 2017 season, the league office has announced.

Darlon Chandler and Morris Shell were each named second team All-SAA players, while Matthew Gilbert, Cesar Ruiz, Jackson Townsend, and TJ Melontree were each honorable mention All-SAA selections.

Chandler, a senior defensive end from Dallas, finished the season with 40 tackles, including 9.0 sacks. Chandler's sack total ranked second in the SAA during the 2017 campaign. He also had 14.0 tackles-for-loss and forced two fumbles during the year.

Shell, a junior linebacker from Irving, was second on the team with 81 tackles during the year, including 8.0 for loss and 3.0 sacks. Shell also recovered a fumble and had three pass breakups over the course of the season.

Gilbert, a senior offensive lineman from Grand Prairie, started every game and anchored the line for the 'Roo offense throughout the year. Behind Gilbert, the 'Roos averaged 328.7 yards of total offense per-game, and scored 24.3 points-per-game.

Ruiz, a senior placekicker from Sachse, connected on 9-of-11 field goals and 26-of-29 point-after attempts during the year, ranking among the SAA leaders in success percentage in both categories. Ruiz had a long field goal of 46 yards and finished the season with 53 points scored.

Townsend, a junior linebacker from Richardson, led the 'Roos and ranked third in the SAA with 85 tackles during the 2017 season. He also had three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. Townsend also broke up three passes and forced a fumble. 

Melontree, a junior cornerback from Carrollton, made 58 tackles on the year and forced one fumble while recovering another. Melontree also had two interceptions and five pass breakups over the course of the season.