Former Kenan standout Boykin earns All-American Status

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on January 3, 2008 3:26 PM

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NCWC Sports Information

ROCKY MOUNT -- Former James Kenan standout and current North Carolina Wesleyan sophomore LeeRon Boykin has been selected to the NCAA Division III All-American football team.

Boykin, who hails from Warsaw, achieved All-American status when he was named to a first-team, all-South Regional performer by D3Football.com. Boykin emerged one of four Battling Bishop players to earn all-region accolades.

A second-year starter for N.C. Wesleyan, Boykin established himself as a dominant force on defense. His 16 tackles-for-loss set a new Bishop record, while his four sacks were the second highest season total in Wesleyan history. In addition to his All-American and All-Region awards, Boykin was also a first-team All-USA South selection.

Joining Boykin on the All-Region squad as a first-team pick was senior defensive back Jezreel Davis. Davis (Hampton, Va.) was also a first-team All-USA South selection for the Blue & Gold in 2007 after tying NCWC's single-season record for interceptions with four. He completed his career with a program-record 11 picks and recently became the first Wesleyan player in history to participate in the Division III Aztec Bowl.

Seniors Cedric Townsend and Brandon Craig earned the second All-Region awards of their careers as both were Third Team selections on offense. A graduate of James Kenan, Townsend was named the USA South Offensive Player of the Year for the second straight season after completing 159-of-295 passes for a program-record 1,213 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also gained 812 yards on the ground with 14 TDs, thanks in part to the efforts of Craig.

An offensive lineman, Craig (Richmond, Va.) was twice named a first-team all-conference performer during his Bishop career.

N.C. Wesleyan set program records for total wins (9), USA South wins (7), consecutive victories (9) and conference finish (1st). The Battling Bishops became the first USA South team to go undefeated in league play and the first No. 8 seed to upset a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Division III playoffs.

The Battling Bishops were ranked in the final top 25 poll.