AUSTIN, Texas – Five Newberry players have been named to the Academic All-District team by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), tying the all-time school record that stood since 1999.
Wide receiver Manny McCord, offensive lineman Sam Hall, defensive lineman Josh Spigner, linebacker Peyton Hite and defensive back Jawanza Adams will all appear on the Academic All-America ballot. Of the 28 players honored as Academic All-District selections from around Super Region 2, only two have a perfect 4.0 GPA—Hall and Hite.
Manny McCord (WR) – The junior from Indian Land caught seven passes for 156 yards this season, including a career-long 68-yard snag as part of Newberry’s 25-21 win at Carson-Newman in September. He also recovered a fumble at the 1-yard line on an Eagles’ kickoff return that swung the momentum in Newberry’s favor for good in the second half. His 22.3 yards per catch were second on the team and he caught multiple passes in three games this season.
McCord has a 3.41 GPA as a sociology and criminal justice double-major.
Sam Hall (OL) – Hall is making his second appearance on the Academic All-District team after becoming Newberry football’s third-ever Academic All-American in 2016. Last year’s South Atlantic Conference Elite 18 winner, the senior Conway native played in eight games with a start at each tackle position. He graded out at 100% in the comeback win at Carson-Newman, playing the entire final drive, and was over 80% in seven games.
Hall has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA throughout his college career as a Biology major. He is also a member of the Order of the Gray Stripe.
Josh Spigner (DL) Spigner played in eight games and had six tackles, five of them solo stops. Half of his tackles were behind the line of scrimmage and included a pair of sacks. He was also credited with two quarterback hurries.
The senior from Summerville is a psychology major with a 3.41 cumulative GPA.
Peyton Hite (LB) – The sophomore from Ninety Six played in eight games this season and made four total tackles, including a pair of solo stops in Newberry’s opener at Division I The Citadel.
Hite is an English Education major with a 4.0 GPA.
Jawanza Adams (DB) – Honored Tuesday by the league’s coaches as a second team all-South Atlantic Conference selection, Adams finished third on the team with 54 tackles from his safety position. He picked off three passes and broke up three more, had a quarterback hurry, and made two tackles for loss.
The junior from Piedmont has a 3.32 GPA in business administration.
The Wolves have now had at least one honoree in 10 of the last 11 seasons and have had 34 Academic All-District performers in school history, 19 of which have come during Head Coach Todd Knight’s tenure.
The South Atlantic Conference was well-represented, claiming 19 of the available 28 slots. Newberry had the second-most players honored behind 2017 SAC champion Wingate’s six.