Lamar sports information

BEAUMONT — Lamar senior cornerback Brendan Langley has been named American Football Coaches Association first-team FCS All-America, AFCA Director of Media Relations Vince Thompson announced Monday morning.

The 2016 AFCA All-America team is comprised of 34 seniors, 13 juniors and three sophomores. Langley is one of just three Southland Conference players named to the team.

The 2016 first-team All-Southland selection as a defensive back and punt returner became a big-play threat in the secondary this season. Beginning with a school-record tying performance against Southeastern Louisiana when he picked off three passes, Langley went on to record an interception in four consecutive games. He led the Southland and ranked among the nation’s leaders in interceptions and interceptions per game. In addition to the picks Langley also ranked among the league leaders with seven pass deflections.

Langley guided the Southland’s top pass defense, which surrendered fewer than 190 yards per game. He led the Southland, and ranked among the nation’s top 10 in interceptions per game. His six interceptions on the season tied for the second most in the country.

During his two-year career, Langley impacted all three phases of the game for the Cardinals. He began his career as a receiver before transitioning to the defensive side of the ball. In addition to his numbers on defense he also was one of the nation’s top punt return threats. He became the first player in school history to return two punts for scores in the same game.

Langley garnered Southland Conference Player of the Week honors twice during the 2016 season, but joins a very unique list in doing so. Langley garnered his two weekly honors at different positions receiving defensive honors following the three interceptions against Southeastern Louisiana, and special teams recognition after the two punt returns for scores against Incarnate Word.

Langley’s All-America nod comes just two weeks after he was named to the Reese’s Senior Bowl. The game is slated to kick off Saturday, Jan. 28, at 1:30 p.m. in Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. Complete rosters for the senior bowl will be released in January.