Merrill Named To Freshman All-America Team
1/7/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jan. 7, 2004
TCU redshirt freshman Robert Merrill has been named to the third annual Scripps/FWAA Freshman All-America Team, announced today.
Merrill, a 5-10, 190-pounder from San Antonio, started the season on the third team on the depth chart and ended the year as a second team all-Conference USA selection, a member of the C-USA all-Freshman squad and a second team Freshman All-American, according to The Sporting News. He broke the TCU freshman rushing record, set by Lonta Hobbs in 2002 by carrying 201 times for 1,107 yards, an average of 5.5 yards per carry. It was just the ninth 1000-yard rushing season in TCU history. Merrill logged five 100-yard rushing games, including a career-high 204 yards on 22 carries at Houston
The 27-member Scripps/FWAA team was selected by an 11-man committee representing each of the NCAA's Division I-A football conferences. More than 70 players were nominated and evaluated by the committee. The vote took place following the respective conference championship games and before the bowl games.
OFFENSE
QB * Chris Leak, Florida 6-1 205 Charlotte, N.C.
RB * Laurence Maroney, Minnesota 5-11 200 St. Louis, Mo.
RB Robert Merrill, TCU 5-10 190 San Antonio, Texas
RB * Justin Vincent, LSU 5-11 208 Lake Charles, La.
WR Steve Breaston, Michigan 6-1 176 North Braddock, Pa.
WR Steve Odom, Toledo 5-10 165 Columbus, Ohio
C Kyle Young, Fresno State 6-5 320 Fallbrook, Calif.
OL Justin Blalock, Texas 6-4 330 Plano, Texas
OL Leroy Harris, N.C. State 6-3 285 Raleigh, N.C.
OL Samson Satele, Hawaii 6-3 289 Kaneohe, Hawaii
OL Robert Turner, New Mexico 6-3 320 Austin, Texas
DEFENSE
DL * Jason Berryman, Iowa State 6-2 230 Houston, Texas
DL Ray McDonald, Florida 6-3 252 Belle Glade, Fla.
DL Brian Smith, Missouri 6-3 220 Denton, Texas
DL * Mario Williams, N.C. State 6-7 254 Richlands, N.C.
LB * Ahmad Brooks, Virginia 6-4 249 Woodbridge, Va.
LB * Nick Bunting, Tulsa 6-1 205 Tulsa, Okla.
LB * Channing Crowder, Florida 6-2 236 Atlanta, Ga.
DB * Darnell Bing, Southern California 6-2 220 Lakewood, Calif.
DB Brandon Browner, Oregon State 6-4 194 Sylmar, Calif.
DB * LaRon Landry, LSU 6-1 180 Ama, La.
DB * Eric Weddle, Utah 5-11 185 Alta Loma, Calif.
SPECIALISTS
K James Wilhoit, Tennessee 5-10 190 Hendersonville, Tenn.
P Brandon Fields, Michigan State 6-5 219 Toledo, Ohio
KR * Reggie Bush, Southern California 6-0 190 Spring Valley, Calif.
PR * Ryne Robinson, Miami (Ohio) 5-10 169 Toledo, Ohio
AP Willie Idlette, Wake Forest 5-11 169 Chattanooga, Tenn.
HEAD COACH
Steve Kragthorpe, Tulsa
* Denotes true freshman; AP-All-purpose player
