Barber (Midland, Texas / MHS) earned the title of ASC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year after a 2006 season in which he led the conference in rushing at 116.2 yards per game – the only player in the league over the century mark. The 5-8, 190-pound first team ASC all-conference selection also led the ASC in scoring with a 10-point average (15 touchdowns) over the Lobo’s nine-game slate. Barber averaged 5.9 yards per carry and was fourth in the league with 127.4 all-purpose yards per game to help guide Sul Ross State to a third-place ASC finish and best overall season since 1996. At 2,961 yards, he is already the school’s all-time leading rusher.

Freeman (Waco, Texas / University HS) was dubbed ASC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year following a season that led to a league-high four All-America honors. Freeman paced the nation’s top-rated rushing defense with 7.4 tackles per game – a conference best total of 96 and 15.5 for loss – 5.5 sacks, four interceptions and two forced fumbles as the Crusaders swept their way to the ASC title and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III Football Championship. He was the only player in the ASC to rank in the league’s top 10 for tackles, sacks, interceptions and forced fumbles. The 6-0, 195-pounder was also a first-team ASC all-conference pick in 2006.

Storrie (San Antonio, Texas / Clark HS) was named ASC Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year. He helped the Bulldogs to a six-win season and third-place finish in the ASC in 2006 by nailing 29 of 30 extra-point attempts and five field goals. Storrie, whose season’s long field goal was 35 yards, kicked a game-winning 29-yarder with 6 seconds left to beat Louisiana College in TLU’s season finale.

Barber is Sul Ross State’s first ASC preseason football award winner, while Freeman became UMHB’s first top preseason defensive pick since ASC Hall of Honor member and fellow linebacker Preston Meyer won back-to-back honors in 2001 and 2002. Storrie also claimed the special teams award in 2005 and is the only TLU player to have claimed a preseason football honor.

The 2007 ASC season opens August 30, with league member Mississippi College hosting Millsaps. Six ASC squads – East Texas Baptist, Hardin-Simmons, Howard Payne, McMurry, SulRoss State and Texas Lutheran – start their slates on September 1, while Louisiana College and Mary Hardin-Baylor begin action on September 8.
 

ALL-TIME ASC FOOTBALL PRESEASON AWARD RECIPIENTS

ASC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year

2007       T.J. Barber, RB, Sr., Sul Ross State

2006       Jordan Neal, QB, Sr., Hardin-Simmons

2005       Justin Bryson, RB, Sr., Mary Hardin-Baylor

2004       RoShawn Johnson, RB, Jr., East Texas Baptist

2003       Adam King, QB, Jr., Howard Payne

2002       Dustin Proctor, QB, Sr., Hardin-Simmons

2001       Kirk Rogers, WR, Sr., Hardin-Simmons

2000       Richard Green, RB, Sr., Howard Payne

1999       Braxton Shaver, QB, Sr., McMurry

1998       Braxton Shaver, QB, Sr., McMurry

ASC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year

2007       Jerrell Freeman, LB, Sr., Mary Hardin-Baylor

2006       Chad Glover, DE, Sr., East Texas Baptist

2005       Will Galusha, DB, Jr., Hardin-Simmons

2004       Littleton Dean, DT, Sr., East Texas Baptist

2003       Alex Hansen, CB, Jr., Hardin-Simmons

2002       Preston Meyer, LB, Sr., Mary Hardin-Baylor

2001       Preston Meyer, LB, Jr., Mary Hardin-Baylor

2000       (co) Jared Sanderson, LB, Jr., Hardin-Simmons / Mike Tates, LB, Sr., Howard Payne

1999       David Rausch, DB, Sr., Hardin-Simmons

1998       Bryant Shaw, DE, Jr., Mississippi College

ASC Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year

2007       Holt Storrie, PK, Sr., Texas Lutheran

2006       Will Galusha, Sr., RET, Hardin-Simmons

2005       Holt Storrie, PK, So., Texas Lutheran

2004       (co) Brian Malbrough, KR, Sr., McMurry / P.J. Williams, KR, Sr., Mary Hardin-Baylor

2003       Scott Verhalen, P, Sr., East Texas Baptist

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