Albany State running back named SIAC Offensive Player of the Year

The Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) has released its 2015 SIAC All-Conference Football Team. Albany State running back Jarvis Small was named the SIAC Offensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.

Small, a 5-foot-7, 206-pound junior from Brunswick, rushed 197 times for 932 yards and 11 touchdowns during the regular season. He rushed for a season-high 173 yards and two touchdowns against Morehouse. Small also caught 10 passes for 55 yards. He is also the running back for the all-conference first team offense. Small led the league in rushing yards, scoring per game (7.3) and scoring touchdowns (11).

Offensively, ASU quarterback, Caleb Edmonds, wide receiver Devonte Osborne and lineman Javoris Wilburn were named to the second team.

Edmonds, a 6-3, 220-pound junior from Smyrna, Ga., completed 127-of-258 passes for 1,543 yards and six touchdowns. He also rushed 91 times for 256 yards and two touchdowns. Edmonds also led the league in total offense (1,799 yards), and passing average per game (171.4).

Osborne, a 5-8, 175-pound senior from Waynesboro, Ga., caught 31 passes for 376 yards and two touchdowns. In the last regular season game, he led Albany State to a 21-17 victory over Fort Valley State with eight receptions, 137 yards and a touchdown.

Wilburn, a 6-5, 310-pound junior from Warrenton, Ga., is also a repeat member to the SIAC all-conference team. He anchored an Albany State offense that led the conference in total offense with 330.3 yards per game.

On the defensive side of the ball, defensive lineman Grover Stewart was named to the first team, while linebacker Tavarius Washington and safety Nick Scott were both named to the second team. Both Stewart and Washington are repeat members to the all-league team.

Stewart, a 6-5, 295-pound junior from Camilla, recorded 32 tackles (16 solo) and six sacks in 2015. He also had 12 1/2 tackles for losses and three quarterback hurries for an ASU defense that only gave up 16.7 points per game.

Washington, a 6-2, 230-pound senior from Keysville, Ga., had 69 tackles (46 solo), and two sacks during the regular season. He also recorded three fumble recoveries, an interception and a quarterback hurry.

Scott, a 6-0, 205-pound sophomore from Ellabell, Ga., recorded 50 tackles (45 solo) and a fumble recovery. He also had two interceptions, three pass breakups and three blocked kicks.