Four Mustangs Named Athlon Sports All-AAC Selections

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From SMUMustangs.com:

Four Mustangs Named Athlon Sports All-AAC Selections
Sophomore Courtland Sutton Leads Group As First-Team Honoree

June 13, 2016

DALLAS (SMU) – Four SMU football players were honored as 2016 Athlon Sports All-American Athletic Conference preseason selections, the organization announced on Monday. The Mustangs’ 2015 Freshman All-America selection Courtland Sutton earned first-team honors, while three student-athletes earned fourth-team accolades.

Sutton, who was also named to the 2015 Biletnikoff Award Watch List, made the list as a first-team offensive selection at wide receiver following a standout first season on the Hilltop. Sutton started all 12 games in 2015 and recorded team highs in catches (49), yards (862) and touchdowns (9). The 862 receiving yards set an SMU freshman record, besting the previous mark by 173 yards. His nine receiving touchdowns also tied the mark set by former Mustang great and current Denver Bronco Emmanuel Sanders.

2016 Rimington Trophy Watch List honoree Evan Brown was chosen as one of four offensive linemen on the organization’s fourth team. In two seasons with the Mustangs, Brown has started 22 games, including 12 at right guard a season ago. As a true freshman, the Southlake, Texas, native played and started in 10 games including two at center.

Justin Lawler, a fourth-team defensive selection, has played in all 24 games in two years on the Hilltop, including 12 starts in 2015. He registered a team-high 64 tackles and nine tackles for loss. The junior defensive end recorded five sacks with a pair of those coming against Houston.

Earning the Mustangs’ final accolade was kick return specialist Braeden West. The fourth-team selection amassed 326 yards on 62 carries as a freshman, as well as 142 yards off 13 catches. In all, West posted 635 yards off of 27 kickoff returns, including an 80-yard return for a touchdown, and recorded 1,135 total all-purpose yards.

SMU opens the 2016 season on Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. CT at North Texas. The Mustangs’ home opener is scheduled for Sept. 17 against Liberty. Season tickets are still available for as little as $99 for SMU's six-game home slate. For Mustang ticket information, call the Athletics Department Ticket Office at (214) SMU-GAME (768-4263).