CHICAGO (Nov. 28) - Conference USA announced its 2000 All-Freshman football team Nov. 28,
as selected by the nine head football coaches and two media members in each conference city.
Tulane placed a league-high six players on the team, while Southern Miss had five.
Four of Tulane's six selections came on offense, including running back Mewelde Moore, the nation's second-leading freshman rusher (890) and quarterback J.P. Losman, who passed for 722 yards and four touchdowns in spot duty, including one start. Defensively, cornerback Lynaris Elpheage, who picked off a team-best three passes for the Green Wave and recorded 47 tackles, is joined by defensive lineman Lonnie Crayton.
The five Southern Miss selections covered six positions on the squad, as Kenneth Johnson earned a place at both wide receiver and as a return specialist. Linebacker Rod Davis started most of the season, registering 94 tackles, and is joined on the defensive team by teammates Terrell Paul and Greg Brooks.
Houston, Louisville and Memphis each placed three players on the all-freshman squad. Houston's Al James started at center nearly all season for the Cougars, while defensive lineman Josh Tubbs had 28 tackles, including four for loss on the defensive line. Louisville defensive end Dewayne White made one of the biggest impacts of any freshman defensive player, establishing a new Conference USA records for sacks by a freshman with 12, just three short of the overall league record. The Memphis All-Freshman selections are headlined by linebacker Coot Terry, who had 58 tackles and four sacks.
East Carolina placed two players on the team for the third straight year, followed by Army and Cincinnati, who each placed one. ECU was represented by offensive lineman Brian Rimpf and linebacker Vonta Leach, while Army defensive lineman Odene Brathwaite and Cincinnati offensive lineman Josh Shneyderov were also chosen.
Conference USA will announce its Freshman of the Year on Wednesday, November 29.
2000 C-USA FOOTBALL ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarterback - J.P. Losman, Tulane
Running Back - Jeremiah Bonds, Memphis
Running Back - Mewelde Moore, Tulane
Offensive Lineman - Brendon Drysdale, Tulane
Offensive Lineman - Jim Hicks, Southern Miss
Offensive Lineman - Al James, Houston
Offensive Lineman - Brian Rimpf, East Carolina
Offensive Lineman - Josh Shneyderov, Cincinnati
Tight End - Richard Owens, Louisville
Wide Receiver - Kenneth Johnson, Southern Miss
Wide Receiver - Roydell Williams, Tulane
DEFENSE
Defensive Lineman - Odene Brathwaite, Army
Defensive Lineman - Lonnie Crayton, Tulane
Defensive Lineman - Terrell Paul, Southern Miss
Defensive Lineman - Josh Tubbs, Houston
Defensive Lineman - Dewayne White, Louisville
Linebacker - Rod Davis, Southern Miss
Linebacker - Vonta Leach, East Carolina
Linebacker - Coot Terry, Memphis
Defensive Back - Greg Brooks, Southern Miss
Defensive Back - Jason Brown, Memphis
Defensive Back - Lynaris Elpheage, Tulane
Defensive Back - Heard Robinson, Houston
SPECIAL TEAMS
Placekicker - Wade Tydlacka, Louisville
Return Specialist - Kenneth Johnson, Southern Miss