Pre-Season All-America team includes 3 Lions

USA College Sports and NCCAA selects trio

Ekanem, Golson, Johnson counted on to lead SAGU

WAXAHACHIE, Texas  --  The Southwestern Assemblies of God University football team had three players named 2012 Pre-Season All-Americans by USA College Sports, Inc.

Most of the players are from teams who are in the National Christian College Athletic Association.

Chosen were the Lions' senior defensive back Nick Ekanem (Richmond, Tx / B.F. Terry HS, Arkansas State Univ), junior quarterback Reid Golson (Grandview, Tx / Grandview HS, Howard Payne Univ) and junior defensive tackle Rodney "D.J." Johnson, Jr. (Springfield, Mo / Parkview HS).

They are a trio of players to watch as SAGU, 4-6 last fall, prepare for a season they hope will last beyond the regular season.

SAGU is honored to have as part of their football program the three young men who received this recognition. All of them are expected to contribute tremendously to the achievements of the Lions this fall.

“Their capacity to meet those expectations will determine much of the success of this year’s football campaign,” pointed out veteran head coach Jesse Godding.

Ekanem (EE-kahn-um) led the nation in both interceptions (6) and passes broken up (19) as a freshman. He has overcome some physical setbacks the past two years and enters his senior swan song with 10 career picks and 32 passes defensed.

Having played both corner and safety, Ekanem, 5'10, 195, is one of only three seniors on defense according to John Allen the Defensive Coordinator. 

Golson, 6-foot, 180, split time with senior Jason Rice (Katy, Tx / Faith West HS) last fall, totaling 140 yards of total offense per game.

He completed 52% of 123 passes for 905 yards and 7 touchdowns. The elusive Golson led the Lions in rushing with 491 yards, gaining 4.0 per carry and 5 TD’s.

Johnson missed the 2011 season. The 6’4, 290 pounder came off the bench as a sophomore, averaging two stops per game. He registered 4.5 tackles for a loss and had two-and-a-half sacks.
 
Those All-Americans selected who use up their final season of eligibility, basically – seniors, might play in the USA Football Holiday Bowl. The four-day, three-night event that is the only post-season football game recognized by the national football media, will be held December 14 – 17, 2012 in Virginia Beach, Va.

Last year the Lions were represented in the all-star game by defensive tackle Jon Hulett (Corrigan, Tx / Corrigan HS) and wide receiver David Howard (Dayton, Tx / Dayton HS).

USA College Sports, Inc. is headquartered in Roseland, New Jersey. The inaugural pre-season All-Americans were selected by coaches, sports information directors, certified players' agents, pro scouts, national media reporters and the staff of USA Football News.

The honorees are all listed at http://www.usacollegefootball.org/nccaafb.htm.

SAGU will open the regular season on September 1 when they play host to nationally ranked Bethany College. The Swedes, from Lindsborg, Kansas, were 8-3 in 2011, including a 29-21 win over the Lions.

Bethany will be led by halfback Theron Allen, who has produced consecutive 1,400 yard seasons. The Lions were one of three teams to prevent Allen from reaching the end zone.

Contact: Mark “Link” Warde, SAGU Sports Information Director, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 469-658-2847.