Sanders is third in the league with an average of 24.0 yards per kickoff return, netting 288 yards on 12 returns. In conference games, he had seven receiving touchdowns and averaged 14.7 yards per catch. Sanders is joined on the team by teammate and quarterback Justin Willis, running back James Mapps, defensive back Bryan McCann, and long snapper Sam Bennett. Willis put up impressive numbers at the helm of the Mustang offense in 2006, ranking 10th in the nation in passing efficiency and setting a new school record with 26 touchdown passes.
Mapps rushed for 321 yards and two touchdowns on 68 carries for a 4.7 average. His high of 132 against Arkansas State was the highest total for SMU this season. McCann totaled 38 tackles, four pass breakups, and an interception. He also had a forced fumble and a recovery in addition to filling in as a kickoff and punt returner. Bennett's long-snapping helped punter Thomas Morstead average 43.8 yards per punt on 50 attempts. The average was second in Conference USA and just 1.2 yards off the SMU single-season record.
Conference USA will announce its Media Freshman of the Year on Wednesday. (Prediction by MM65: Justin Willis will win it.)
2006 C-USA FOOTBALL ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM OFFENSE Quarterback - Justin Willis, SMU Running Back - Damion Fletcher, Southern Miss Running Back - James Mapps, SMU Offensive Lineman - Jake Seitz, UAB Offensive Lineman - Terrence Campbell, East Carolina Offensive Lineman - Cory Dowless, East Carolina Offensive Lineman - Carl Bennett, Houston Tight End - Cody Slate, Marshall Wide Receiver - Emmanuel Sanders, SMU Wide Receiver - Duke Calhoun, Memphis Wide Receiver - Jeremy Williams, Tulane
DEFENSE Defensive Lineman - C.J. Wilson, East Carolina Defensive Lineman - Greg Terrell, Memphis Defensive Lineman - Troy Wilson, Tulane Defensive Lineman - Scotty Robinson, East Carolina Linebacker - Van Eskridge, East Carolina Linebacker - Andrew Sandejo, Rice Linebacker - Gerald McRath, Southern Miss Defensive Back - Bryan McCann, SMU Defensive Back - Eddie Hicks, Southern Miss Defensive Back - Braxton Amy, UTEP Defensive Back - Brandon Brinkley, Houston
SPECIAL TEAMS Placekicker - Matt Reagan, Memphis Clark Fangmeyer, Rice Kick Returner - Emmanuel Sanders, SMU Long Snapper - Sam Bennett, SMU
